Over the winter months, grass on sports fields, does get punished when the seasons change. Winter is a tricky month to manage lawn when there are weather elements to consider:
- Frost
- Heavy rain
- Wind
- Limited sunshine
In addition to the lawn receiving a pounding, many venues notice a change in the longevity of their line marking. Some of the things that can effect the visibility of applied line marking are:
- Heavy rain and water saturation
- Sports fields being used while ground is wet
- Frost
- Limited growth
- Lines applied on wet ground surfaces
Winter can be a difficult time of year when venues are struggling between rainy days and game days and all of the weather in between. Sometimes the weather wins and there is not much that can be done. However there are measures that can be put in place to ensure that outdoor lines are given the best chance to withstand the harsh winter conditions that some states in Australia receive.
Here’s a couple of tips to help keep the lines bright, even if the weather isn’t:
- Ensure you have an adequate supply of paint to reapply lines when there is a break in the weather
- Monitor weather conditions prior to line marking and game days
- Keep the grass short to help promote growth and reduce ‘bald patches’ in the grass or across the lines
- Have a winter maintenance program in place for groundskeepers
- Use quality line marking paint and equipment