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EDITOR'S BLOG

COMBATTING SUMMER STRESSES
Following weeks of hot, dry weather
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

This summer we have experienced weather conditions for many weeks that mean we have seen much stress on our natural grass playing surfaces.

As all our TurfPro readers will be only too aware, this summer we have experienced many weeks of hot, dry weather - meaning we have seen much stress on our natural grass playing surfaces.

Several organisations have issued some advice on looking after sports fields and conserving water resources. The RFU published one on managing rugby pitches in drought conditions.

The Grounds Management Association published top tips on maintaining your sports pitches in August.

Plus another on managing sports pitches during drought.

I also read with interest an article published by BIGGA on how greenkeepers were coping with the dry weather.

In this piece, Paul Woodham from the R&A is quoted, speaking on the issues caused for greenkeepers across the country, by the lack of rainfall combined with warm days and cold nighttime temperatures. He says, “The impact is seen in a lack of recovery from winter wear and is particularly challenging in situations for courses which suffered winter disease scarring and damage caused by leatherjacket larvae. Greenkeepers have seen the early onset of turfgrass stress, especially with Poa annua being stunted coming into the seasonal emergence of seed heads in mid-May.

“These combined stresses have made it difficult for greenkeepers managing the transition through spring and seeking surface refinement for main season performance. The fluctuation in unpredictable and extreme climatic conditions appears to be a seasonal norm testing the patience of the golfer."

The effect that these conditions cause is known as evapotranspiration. This is the process where water is lost from plants and the soil – transferred from the land to the atmosphere.

Dealing with hydrophobic (water-repellent) soil conditions on sports playing surfaces in the UK can have serious consequences if not properly managed - both in terms of playability, player safety, and long-term turf health.

Hydrophobic soil repels water rather than absorbing it. This condition is often caused by drought conditions or prolonged dry weather (common in UK summers now due to climate change); organic matter breakdown leaving waxy residues and compaction; or surface sealing by foot traffic or machinery.

Hydrophobic soils affect water infiltration and drainage. Water runs off the surface instead of soaking in, leading to localised flooding or dry patches. This leads to inconsistent moisture levels, especially on pitches with uneven compaction. Over time hydrophobic conditions leads to the grass plant wilting, yellowing, or even death.

Fungal diseases (e.g., fairy rings, dry patch) can thrive in dry organic matter zones. Also, the playability of pitches during dry conditions will be affected.

Several management strategies can be employed to address hydrophobic soil conditions. The application of wetting agents (surfactants) will help break down the water repellence barrier of hydrophobic soils and help water infiltrate back into the soil profile.

Effective aeration work using solid and hollow tines will help relive and compaction and improve air and water flow through the soil profile.

Regular brushing and scarification will help reduce thatch and breakdown waxy layers.

Topdressing with sand and organics composts will help restore levels and help water retention.

For me, if there’s a sudden change in the weather that will help enormously. However, it may cause some additional problems in that we may experience some local flooding events, due the hard dry ground not able to soak in the rain. We may get some runoff that causes flooding.

I believe our end of season renovations for bowls, golf and cricket clubs will be an ideal time to rectify these hydrophobic conditions.

An effective programme of applying wetting agents and appropriate watering and feeding prior to your end of season renovations will help improve the chances of rectifying hydrophobic soils.

A typical end of season renovation should see the following operations -

soil test to ascertain condition of soil and nutrient status
scarification of the surface in several directions
clean up arisings
aerate to a decent depth
top-dress with a decent sand / soil compost to restore levels and provide a seed bed
overseed with a quality seed mixture and apply a fertiliser
water to help germinate the seed.

The benefits of carrying out a good end of season renovations are imperative to help overcome the heat stresses that we have experienced this summer.

NEWS

TECHNICAL & LEARNING DEPARTMENT EXPANDS
Two strategic appointments

In our first WEB ONLY story the GMA say they have boosted the support and expertise available to the sector through training and consultancy.

SIS PITCHES ACQUIRES
Two brands

In our next WEB ONLY story, company says the move will expand its sub-surface pitch technology offering.

THE SEARCH IS ON
To recognise professional sprayer operators

Organisers say the competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector.

The search is now underway to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries.

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

The Amenity Forum competition seeks to share guidance and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Speaking on the awards, Amenity Forum chairman, Ian Graham, said, “This competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector, and I encourage as many spray operators as possible to engage with the process.

“Our industry has many highly skilled spray operators working within it, using a diverse range of products accurately applied through a huge range of complex application equipment. Past winners have ably demonstrated the professional approach to meeting these challenges.”

Last year’s winner, Peter Pattenden, professional spray technician at Carden Park Golf Resort in, Cheshire encourages all sprayer operators to get involved and enter the ASOOTY Awards. Even at a relatively young age, the organisers say his understanding of the spraying process and exemplary commitment to achieving consistent accuracy was evident.

The entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form, including questions to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2025 close on Friday 12 September.

GLENEAGLES TO HOST PRACTICAL TRAINING
This autumn

Organisers say the immersive turfcare training courses at Gleneagles will provide hands-on learning for turf equipment professionals at all levels.

The Bernhard Academy has announced it will be delivering two immersive turfcare training courses at Gleneagles Golf Club in Scotland this autumn, providing hands-on learning for turf equipment professionals at all levels.

The first course, Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics - Level 1, will run from 11 to 13 November 2025. Over the course of three days, organisers say participants will receive in-depth instruction on machinery servicing and fault-finding, suitable for anyone managing turfcare equipment or seeking to enhance their technical confidence.

Following this, the Basic Machinery Workshop will take place on 17 November 2025. This one-day session focuses on practical daily checks, essential adjustments, and fundamental repair techniques. Bernhard's say both sessions aim to give greenkeeping teams and turfcare technicians the confidence and competence to manage their equipment more effectively.

Each course includes access to an online Abrasive Wheel safety awareness module, approved by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM). This training aligns with HSG 17 guidance and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Attendees will also receive lunch and refreshments, a Bernhard Academy certificate of completion, and BIGGA members will benefit from course discounts and CPD credit eligibility.

Sami Strutt, education director for the Bernhard Academy, commented, “These sessions at Gleneagles are part of our ongoing mission to empower technicians with the tools, knowledge and confidence to elevate their work. Whether you’re starting out or refining your craft, our aim is to offer relevant, practical education that helps people and their clubs thrive."

DEWALT APPOINT NEW DEALER
For range of outdoor power equipment

L-R: Richard Mallinson with James Bastian

Dealership says the range will fill an important place in their portfolio.

Hampshire-based Wildwood Machinery has announced they have continued to extend the range of their product portfolio with a partnership with US manufacturer Dewalt.

L-R: Richard Mallinson with James Bastian

Managing director James Bastian, who has overseen Wildwood’s rapid growth since establishing the business in 2022, said, “Dewalt’s landscaping, forestry and outdoor power equipment will fill an important place in our portfolio. Our aim is to be the supplier of choice in southern England for all commercial groundcare equipment - that covers everything from sports turf to large estates. With our expanding product partnerships and outstanding service back-up, we can help land managers to do the very best job."

The manufacturer's landscaping & forestry products are not available on the high street - only through authorised dealers, of which Wildwood Machinery is one of the first in the UK.

GREENMECH ADD TO NETWORK
For their full woodchipper range

Teaming up with the enthusiastic and experienced dealership team is a fantastic step for them in the local area says manufacturer.

Family-run forestry business Treeline have been appointed as official dealers for the full GreenMech woodchipper range across West, Mid and East Lothian & The Borders of Scotland.

The manufacturer says this announcement aligns their professional portfolio of road tow, pedestrian, tracked and tractor-mounted chippers with Treeline’s three decades of experience supporting forestry operations throughout the South of Scotland.

Founded in 1991, Treeline was established by Gavin Marshall. After recognising a disconnect between forest management and contracting services, Gavin set out to create a company that offered clients a seamless, integrated solution.

In 2019, Nick Marshall expanded the business by introducing the sale of forestry machinery and arboricultural equipment, offering leading brands to customers across Scotland. Treeline say this new arm of the business has continued to grow from strength to strength.

“We’re thrilled to join the GreenMech dealer network,” confirms Nick. “Their range sets the industry standard for productivity, reliability and safety, giving our broad customer-base access to a quality product that is well suited to all mainstream settings and applications and works well alongside our other franchises.”

GreenMech sales director David Blackwood, added, “Teaming up with the enthusiastic and experienced team at Treeline is a fantastic step forward for us in this area. Being so firmly rooted in the forestry community and with a fantastic reputation for integrity and in-field expertise, we’re confident GreenMech customers old and new will benefit hugely from the partnership.”

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