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EDITOR'S BLOG

WEEDS FLOURISHING
In the warm weather
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

Weeds are good competitors and take advantage of any opportunities to colonise turf situations, particularly when the sward is under stress and weak, leaving bare soil areas for weeds to populate.

The recent warm sunny days have initiated a lot of weed growth, seen in both natural grass playing surfaces, but more of a problem when they appear in other surfaces such as roads, road verges parks and playing fields - not to mention, paths, car parks, railway lines, gardens and building sites.

Weeds can be prolific and cause damage to infrastructures such as paths, roads, rail networks and buildings - especially when they are not managed.

By definition a weed is a plant that is growing in the wrong place. Weeds take valuable space, water, sunlight and nutrients that may otherwise be accessible to important crops, in our case turf grasses. Weeds not only compete for these resources they can disfigure and cause problems to playing surfaces.

Weeds are good competitors and take advantage of any opportunities to colonise turf situations, particularly when the sward is under stress and weak, leaving bare soil areas for weeds to populate.

Weeds have many mechanisms and characteristics that enable them to do this, having thick waxy cuticle leaves that can be resistant to some chemicals, fast reproduction methods, the ability to reseed in six week cycles and deep tap roots enabling the weed to survive in compacted dry ground conditions.

Weeds have one of three life cycles: annual; biennial or perennial.

Annual weeds: Live for a single season. These weeds germinate from seed in the spring or summer, flower and then die.

Biennial weeds: Live for two seasons. During the first growing season, these weeds remain in a vegetative stage and, in the following year, produce flowers, set seed and die.

Perennial weeds: Live for multiple seasons and flower more than once. Perennial structures (rhizomes, stolons, crowns, entire plants or roots) survive from year to year.

We now have a plethora of methods both chemical and mechanical to control weeds in given environments. A booklet produced by Pesticide Action Network is a good read and offers several methods of weed control.

Reducing weeds

A recent conversation with Chris Falkner of Kersten Sweepers enlightened me on the work being undertaken to reduce the number of weeds in our urban community environments. Chris stated that a weed prevention strategy should be included when considering best practice for an Integrated Pest Management approach.

All weeds (plants) require light, food and water to survive. - remove any one of these and a plant will suffer. In general, soil or detritus is a medium which stores the water and food for a plant.

Soil is not an intended constituent of a hard surface. Therefore plants do not grow on hard surfaces!

However, we know that plants may be found growing on or in hard surfaces. Therefore soil must be on or in the hard surface.

Causes of this include:

Soils migrating from adjacent organic surfaces
Soils being formed from detritus remaining on the surface
Broken and unsealed hard surfaces allowing soil pockets or access to soil layer below hard surface

If we use a chemical herbicide or any other method to simply kill the plant the causes remain, and regrowth is inevitable.

However, if we remove the soil and, importantly, the cause of the soil, we short circuit the cycle.

Statutory provision is made for this in The Environmental Protection Act 1990 which imposes duties under section 89(1) and (2) on certain landowners and occupiers to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse, and on local authorities and the Secretary of State to keep clean public highways for which they are responsible.

Code of practice on litter and refuse published by DEFRA April 2006 and modified 2019 Part 1 Section 5 lists detritus as refuse and litter and must be removed from the highway under section 89 of the act and recommends detritus should be removed from all other hard surfaces as well.

Chemicals have their place, but they have been hijacked to cover the cracks in our pavements. Prevention is often better than a cure, therefore we must look at programmed effective maintenance regimes to reduce this unwanted weed growth .

If we are going to pave over nature, then surely we have a responsibility to maintain that paving in a sustainable manner. If we can't afford to maintain it, then the question is, should we build it?

The greater the depth of soil available to the weed, the greater chance of allowing deeper rooted perennial weeds to establish themselves.

Deep rooted perennials are far more difficult to kill once established.

Shallower soil will only sustain annual weeds which are easier to control with methods such as heat or sweeping. A maintenance specification may be designed to prevent detritus from building up on hard surfaces. This not only requires thought for the surface but also the surrounding environment which may affect the surface.

The picture below shows overgrown vegetation overhanging the path which is resulting in a massive detritus build up. This is blocking drainage channels, feeding the soil build up and providing ideal damp, nutrient rich conditions for weeds to thrive.

In this case the surface maintenance could start with the reduction of overhanging vegetation and fence maintenance. Robust path edgings with a simple method of maintaining those edges should be employed.

Chris has written a number of weed management articles that can be read here as well as a booklet here.

NEWS

PROTECTING PUBLIC PARKS IS KEY
To levelling up ambitions

In our first WEB ONLY story, according to green space charity Fields in Trust, if progress is to be made on the government’s 'levelling-up' agenda the nation’s parks must be protected from further loss.

FURTHER DONATIONS MADE
Following industry Ukraine Initiative

In our next WEB ONLY story TurfPro has made contributions on behalf of the industry to two further UK based organisations who are offering assistance to Ukrainians.

AWARD WINNING STUDENT HONOURED
HNC Golf Course Management Student of the Year Award

A dramatic change of careers paid off for SRUC student Ben Matthews, after his tutors unanimously named him the winner of this year’s prize.

A dramatic change of careers paid off for SRUC student Ben Matthews, after his tutors unanimously named him the winner of this year’s HNC Golf Course Management Student of the Year Award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A.

Award winner Ben Matthews (seated) receives his certificate and £300 voucher prize from Sandy Armit, managing director of Fife-based John Deere dealer Double A

Born in London, but raised in Canada from the age of three, Ben moved to Scotland in 2014. He worked in health and social care in both Canada and Scotland for 20 years in total before realising it was time for a change.

“Since moving back to Scotland I had been helping children in crisis situations as an advocate, ensuring they had a voice,” Ben says. “It was amazing work and I loved it, but I started to burn out - I couldn’t switch off from worrying about the children I was working with.”

Initially Ben studied for a master’s degree in Sustainable Resource Management at the University of Edinburgh.

“If I could, I decided I wanted to turn the degree into a job where I could work outdoors while protecting the environment,” he explains.

It was a chance sighting while passing the SRUC campus one day that led to him pursuing a career in golf course management.

“I’ve always been a fan of golf and although I’ve never been any good, I do enjoy playing it,” he says.

“I was driving past the SRUC Elmwood campus one day and they had a big banner outside which read ‘have you thought about a career in greenkeeping?’.

“I ended up calling them and going to see Paul Miller, the course programme leader, and everything he told me about it ticked all the boxes.”

Ben enjoyed the variety of subjects taught on the course, even those he initially assumed would be less interesting, such as soil science.

“I thought it would be dry, but Dr Miller made it really interesting, teaching us everything we would need to know as a turf manager,” he says. “I also loved learning about design and construction.

“I’ve been to a few universities and colleges, and this was by far my best experience - the tutors are all phenomenal.”

Ben has since secured a position as a seasonal greenkeeper for the St Andrews Links Trust.

“I only live 25 minutes away so it seemed silly not to try for a position at the home of golf,” he says.

“I’m lucky enough to be working on the old course, where golf has been played for 600 years, so every day is like Christmas Day for me at the moment!”

Ben is enjoying focusing on the practical side of greenkeeping and looks forward to building up his experience and skills.

“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the greenkeeping community - everyone is so supportive and welcoming,” he says. “It’s the type of industry where if you’re having a problem, you can call someone at another golf course and they will lend you equipment or recommend a product. It’s such a tightly knit and positive community. I’m so happy to be in it.”

Ben is currently busy preparing the famous St Andrews’ course for the 150th Open this summer.

“I don’t think I could be in a better place to start my career and I’m so grateful to SRUC and so happy to have won this award,” he says. “Finding out I had won really cemented that I’d done the right thing in changing careers and that all my hard work has paid off.”

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
For Bury St Edmunds Golf Club

The team is ensuring the courses are in an immaculate condition in time for the celebrations.

Bury St Edmunds Golf Club in Suffolk is approaching its centenary and is ensuring that the courses are in an immaculate condition in time for the celebrations.

Course manager Tom Smart (left) and general manager Mike Verhelst (right) from Bury St Edmunds Golf Club with Reesink rep Julian Copping

Both the 18-hole championship course, host to many prestigious events over the decades, and the nine-hole Pay-and-Play course needed to be kept in the highest standard all-year round, but the club says special care was required now for such a notable occasion.

Course manager Tom Smart, who manages the nine-strong greenkeeping team on site, says he looked to Toro and Reesink Turfcare to help do the job he required.

“I’ve used many Toro machines in the past and was never let down," he said. "The ones we got from Reesink were all bought for specific purposes, and each has a role to play in producing the highest standards possible on the courses. Everyone can already see the difference these machines have made on the course, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

The club opted for Reesink’s five-year finance package deal, and invested in four Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 riding greensmowers, two Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mowers, a Groundsmaster 3500-D rotary mower, a Groundsmaster 4500-D rotary mower, a Multi Pro 5800-D sprayer and a ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator for the ultimate peace of mind.

“Reesink has been very good during the whole process,” Tom says. “They are just down the road from us, so it makes it quite easy. When we had some very minor settling in issues with a couple of the machines, which was nothing out of the ordinary, Reesink East Anglia were quick to come as soon as we called them and it was all covered under the Toro comprehensive warranty.”

Not only was it important to have the best performing machines to withstand the pressure and demands of such a vital job under deadline, but also to make sure the team was happy while operating and maintaining them.

"When you’re using a machine for up to eight hours a day, operator comfort is vital," Tom eplained. "Having an almost all-Toro fleet now has greatly helped our mechanic too, as parts can be interchanged and the machines are much easier to service and maintain.”

50 YEARS IN THE UK
Celebrated by manufacturer this year

To mark its 50th anniversary, the company say they will be announcing a number of promotions and product launches throughout the year.

Makita UK is celebrating 50 years of trading in the UK.

With over 100 years of heritage, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Makita’s first UK office. For half a century, the company say they have forged a strong presence in the UK with a national network of distributors and merchant partners, as well as investment into four purpose-built factory service centres and training facilities throughout the UK.

Makita's Tongwell offices

Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager at Makita said, “We are delighted to be marking our 50th year of trading in the UK. We are incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve since 1972 - and the vast array of cordless products and new technologies that we can offer tradespeople to aid their productivity and efficiency on site.”

To mark its 50th anniversary, the company say they will be announcing a number of promotions and product launches throughout the year.

MEAN GREEN SIGN UP ANOTHER DEALER
For electric range

Overton have signed up another dealership

Dealership says many customers were asking for larger, battery powered mowers.

Overton UK have announced Ernest Doe Limited as their new dealer in the South East and London areas for the Mean Green electric commercial mowers.

Andy Turbin, sales manager at Ernest Doe said many customers were asking for larger battery powered mowers. "I have followed the Mean Green range since their introduction and after initial demonstrations to the sales team and customers, which provided excellent feedback, I felt that the time was right to move forward."

Stuart Rose of Overton added, "We are pleased to add such a well-respected and professional company to our growing list of dealers throughout the country.”

Sponsored announcements

KNAPSACK SPRAYER INITIATIVE EXPANDS
With Newlands Training

Newlands Training delivers land-based operator courses to the forestry, arboriculture, conservation, agriculture and local authority sectors

Latest recruit to the Lantra / Hozelock-Exel initiative to raise sprayer maintenance awareness among operators is Newlands Training.

Latest recruit to the Lantra/Hozelock-Exel initiative to raise sprayer maintenance awareness among operators is Newlands Training.

A leading force in the South-West, Newlands Training delivers land-based operator courses to the forestry, arboriculture, conservation, agriculture and local authority sectors.

CP3 Evolution Diaphragm Sprayer

"The CP3 Knapsack Sprayer is a good all-round sprayer for overall and spot treatment" - Ed Dorey, Trainer/Assessor, Newlands Training

Lesley Simpson founded Newlands Training nearly 40 years ago to deliver rural skills to serve the local and regional agriculture sector and has seen the scope of demand spread widely since then.

“We trained mostly agricultural operators in the early days,” she says. “Now, it’s mainly landscape and forestry contractors.”

Newlands Training provision covers pesticide application using knapsack sprayers, hand-held and quad bike operation using lances and mini boom sprayers.

Lesley’s team of 12 trainers deliver courses for clients throughout Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and, recently, Hampshire.

“We run both Lantra and City & Guilds NPTC pesticide qualifications," Lesley continues, “with assessors covering the range of age groups as required.
Competition is strict,” she notes, “with a college and at least two other training providers nearby.”

She numbers golf clubs and independent schools in the region among her clients – “we’ve worked with a major educational establishment for 20 years,” Lesley states, “training what is a large team of grounds professionals, including their greenkeepers, in safe use of pesticides application and hand power tools such as chainsaws, brushers and pole pruners".

“The Cooper Pegler Evolution professional knapsack kindly provided through the Lantra/Hozelock-Exel initiative is already proving a popular and useful addition to our course aids by helping trainees better understand how knapsacks function and how best to maintain them to prolong their lifetime.”

www.lantra.co.uk
www.cooper-pegler.com
www.berthoud.fr/en/

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