Croquet Lawn Specifics
The general gist Croquet or Paille-Maille (ball-mallet) originated in 14th-century France. By 1868, croquet games were so popular in England that an association was formed at Wimbledon, where rules were established and special fields were designed. Today, backyard croquet is a popular sport, and numerous associations are involved in fierce competitions. A croquet playing area is a minimum of 35 x 28 yards, with an extended play area of 37 x 30 yards. Soil should be worked and seed should be sown when there is no risk of weather conditions that could damage the soil. Small tractors and/or hand tools simplify laborious tasks. Soil must be void of debris, rocks, sticks, and weeds. Digging in All croquet field layouts begin with a graded subsoil base. A clinker-base groundwork adds a layer of clinker (hard rock/brick), followed by a layer of ash and topsoil. A topsoil fill is constructed with the base and levels of topsoil. Sand-filled ground construction has a central layer of dune sand between the subsoil and topsoil. |  |
To drain water from the croquet field, install water irrigation pipes (3 to 4 inches in diameter) and a drain system with main drains positioned atop gravel (18 inches below the field's surface and 4 inches below the base); install a catchment pit. Keep drains to a minimum width, using perforated plastic drain tubes. Following one of the above base constructions, return the topsoil (8 inches deep) and level. During construction of the croquet field, leveling should be done with each 2-inch addition to the depth.
Reaping what you sow
Grade the surface to remove dips, mounds, and ridges, passing the grader crosswise in two directions. Apply seasonal pre-seeding fertilizer, according to manufacturer's instructions. Seed is sown in two transverse sowings and then raked or rolled with a flat roller. Grass is mowed weekly once growth reaches 1 inch and cuttings are removed. Treatments of weed killers and fertilizers are applied as needed.
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