As soon as the season is completed the most essential work on the square must be carried out before the cold nights set in to ensure a good surface to start next season with.
Firstly, cut the entire square as short as possible without scalping the surface. The ideal height is the same height as a prepared pitch. Thoroughly scarify the square as often as necessary, to remove all thatch present. The first passes should be in the line of play and any further passes should be at a slight angle to the first run. Do not scarify at right angles to the first passes as this could create small squares that may dry and break up during next season. Use the collecting box on the scarifying machine to collect most of the debris and then finish off with brush attachment if available. If a box or brush is not available then used a boxed mower to collect as much debris as possible.
Next aerate the square with a vertical action spiker ideally with 4 inch long and ½ thick tines at 2-inch centres to relieve compaction caused by rolling. For this operation ensure that the ground is soft enough for the tines to enter the soil without lifting the surface. If it is difficult for the tine to reach the full depth then extra aeration can be carried out at a later date.
The next operation is over-seeding. To do this thoroughly, prick the surface of the square with a sarel roller, or similar spiked roller, to create a mass of shallow holes. Over-sow with a 100% dwarf ryegrass seed mixture at a rate of 4 to 5 kg per pitch. Brush the square in all directions to ensure that the seed drops into the holes provide earlier.
Apply an Autumn/Winter fertiliser that is low in Nitrogen and higher in Phosphate and Potash at the rate as recommended by the manufacturer.
Now the top dressing should be applied. The clay content in the dressing should depend on the standard of cricket played on the pitch. At club level the minimum of clay required is 25% rising to at least 28% for top club cricket. The top dressing must be dry when applied and well worked into the surface with a drag mat or large brush.
If the square is uneven, a method to create better levels is to use a large lute or aluminium ladder and drag it across the line of play. This operation will highlight the low areas where extra dressing can be applied.