The International hub for greenkeepers, groundstaff, turf managers and volunteers
The International hub for greenkeepers, groundstaff, turf managers and volunteers
Plant Growth Regulators are synthetic or biological compounds that positively benefit and modify the plants growth and development. They are widely used in many plants to shorten the internodes and create a denser, tighter and smaller plant. Growth regulators can be used on amenity grass to reduce the need to mow as frequently or to …
Couch (Cynodon spp.) are commonly overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) for reasons such as aesthetics, increased wear tolerance and to protect the couch once it enters dormancy. The aim is to maintain this cover during the cool season months and then once it begins to warm up in the spring remove this to enable …
Now the mixtures used and the definition of cricket loam can drastically change depending on which part of the world is using it. In the northern hemisphere, loam is soil composed mostly of sand, silt, and a smaller amount of clay. By weight, its mineral composition is about 40–40–20% concentration of sand–silt–clay, respectively. However in …
The soil temperature required for growth and to keep C3 and C4 grasses are different. A warmer soil contains more energy. More energy available enables chemical processes driving plant growth to work faster and more efficiently. This means grass can make food quicker (through photosynthesis) and therefore grow faster. There is a direct correlation between …
Influences that temperature and light have on C3 and C4 grasses Read More »
Weeds will grow in almost any situation where the conditions are favourable. Weeds are opportunistic and will invade where suitable conditions arise. If there are any thin or weak areas of the turfgrass caused by neglect or unsuitable management, this creates a perfect opportunity for weeds to encroach. In order to do battle with a …
Sand is the main component of the majority of top-dressing and construction materials (currently available) that are used for sports and amenity turf-grass surfaces. Sand can be composed of different materials with Quartz (SiO2)being the most well known and common.Sand is used to improve the mechanical conditions of soils, particularly heavy ones. In this case …
Crane flies are becoming an increasingly worse problem. Milder winters coupled with the withdrawal of chemicals are making Crane fly even harder to battle. Over the last few years the population of the Crane fly has increased dramatically due to wet Autumns and mild winters. A small moderate population is fine, but left unchecked it …
On May 28th, 2024, we conducted our 3rd masterclass for our Wiltshire College & University Centre sports turf students at Reading Football Club. The day involved a visit to the stadium, where James Stabler, David Newell, and Sam Ampleford introduced the students to the unique challenges of maintaining a top-tier football pitch. We then relocated …
Within the turfgrass industry the term carrying capacity (or sustainable use) can be defined as the maximum level of surface use, or activity on a turf surface before unacceptable levels of deterioration begin to occur. Potential carrying capacity is what could have been achieved given optimum use and management strategies being implemented. More of a …