Palace hoping garlic is the sweet smell of success

Crystal Palace’s commitment to keeping the Selhurst Park turf lush and green appears to have reached new heights.

The Eagles’ determination to keep a pristine pitch ahead of the new season has resulted in groundsmen laying liquid garlic on the south London grass.

The chemical kills parasites that feast on roots of the blades, causing damage to the turf.

And head groundsman Bruce Elliott has even had to don a mask in order to perform his duties due to the pungent smell of garlic now hanging in the air of SE25.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

“Like a lot of clubs around the country we have a problem with nematodes, which are a microscopic, parasitic worm-like creature that live within the root zone,” explained Elliott.

“When it gets in there it can distort all the roots system and creates a weak plant that is susceptible to disease and wear and tear so we have to eradicate them, and one of the ways to do that is with garlic.

“This is a liquid form of garlic so we can spray it and it creates a chemical within the root zone which isn’t toxic to us but is to the nematodes.

“The only unfortunate thing for us the pungent smell! Think of your garlic at home and times that by 100. I cope with a mask but it still gets through, but I try and get away from it when I can.”