October has been one of the wettest months on record and the current weather forecast is not much better with even more rain forecast for the start of November.

Most winter games pitches will now be at field capacity and any more rain is likely to tip the balance, especially on non- drained pitches, causing them to become saturated / waterlogged. Once in this state they are prone to damage either from play and training or indeed from trying to carry out maintenance tasks.

Pore spaces, particularly in soil dominant pitches, will be filled with water (saturated). Playing on saturated pitches will certainly result in surface damage. Soils, when saturated, lose their stability and strength. The action of players running, stopping, sliding and turning in studded or bladed boots will result in surface damage. The severity of the damage will be dependent upon the soil type and the ability of the top 100mm to drain quickly.

To help keep the top 100mm free draining, a programme of surface aeration is necessary. This is achieved by regular spiking with slit tines to a depth of 150 mm or more when conditions allow. There are specialist machines that can help with improving surface drainage, for example the versatile tractor mounted Verti-Drain machine and linear aerators have been around for many years and continue to do a good job of decompacting pitches down to a depth of 200mm. In recent years we have seen the development of a lot of compressed air aided machines such as the Sisis Javelin Aer-Aid 1500, AirG2, GP Air machine , OxyShot and The Airter to name a few that can aerate to greater depths.

• The GP Air machine is a variable depth pedestrian ground aerator, blowing compressed air in 4 directions into the ground.
• The Air- 2G2 is a self-propelled hydrostatic drive three probe air injection machine, injecting compressed air to either 175mm7″ or 300mm deep (depending upon probe fitting). This causes a fracturing effect of the compacted rootzone, with no surface disruption. Air-2G2- machine can be used for a variety of pitches including bowling greens, golf courses and rugby pitches, among others as part of sports ground maintenance routines.
• The Airter light 14160 is a completely redesigned pneumatic soil aeration device for professionals, which loosens the lawn root zone homogeneously to a depth of more than 22 cm and supplies it with fresh oxygen.
• The Charterhouse OxyShot Air-Injection Unit has a single probe which is available in two diameters, the machine is compact and manoeuvrable allowing easy access to normally difficult to reach areas. The, OxyShot® probe blasts air in 4 directions at variable pressures to a depth and duration that the operator requires down to a maximum of 500mm using the 25mm diameter probe, thus lifting, expanding and de-compacting the soil.
• Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 machine is a specially designed tractor mounted vertical action aerator for use on both fine and outfield turf. The Aer-Aid system injects air directly into the root zone speeding up the aeration process, moving air uniformly throughout the root zone for complete aeration – not just where the tines have penetrated. The cam trigger mechanism ensures that the air is always expelled at the bottom of the tine penetration enabling treatment to be targeted precisely.

All these machines are able to offer a different method of decompaction and the results will be defined by how well the machine has been used and the experience of the operator. Also, the timing of when the work is done will also have a bearing on its success.

Depending on the severity of the compaction it may well take more than one operation to achieve the desired results. Many more sports grounds are beginning to use these type of aerators on a more regular basis, say between 2-3 times a year. Several sports facilities are now utilising all three methods (Verti-Drain, linear and air compressed) aeration methods to relieve compaction on their playing surfaces.

The months of October / November and March tend to be the busiest periods for aeration work on most sports facilities when the ground conditions are favourable. However, if you have a fully drained pitch, aeration work can be done virtually any time of the year.

Most golf clubs tend to aerate their fairways during the autumn to help improve their playability during the winter months. In fact next week I have organised a demonstration of two of the above mentioned machines, The Air- 2G2 and the Charterhouse OxyShot to be trialled on two fairways at Lilleshall Golf Club, Shropshire. Kevin Moult md of Air 2 Root Turf Care & Soil Solutions Limited has kindly offered to carry out this demonstration to enable the head greenkeeper and director of golf the chance to see these two machines in operation with the aim of solving some surface water problems on these two fairways.

I am really looking forward to seeing these two machines in action and will be conducting a full report to be published in TurfPro in the coming weeks.

Seasonal turf problems

Turf disease can become quite prevalent in November when soil moisture levels increase, coupled with the presence of early morning dews. The combination of moist soils and surface moisture on the leaf blade can increase the likelihood of disease attack. Regular brushing in the mornings to remove the dew from the playing surfaces will reduce this risk.

Fusarium patch remains arguably our most common and most damaging turfgrass disease seen on golf greens. This fungus will grow most actively under high pH conditions but any small increase in pH, even under generally more acidic conditions, will allow the fungus to grow more quickly than other organisms that normally ensure a healthy balance in the rootzone. In addition, this fungus can grow at temperatures just above freezing and is not actually killed by frost.

Earthworm activity usually increases in November. Earthworms can survive in a wide range of conditions, but most activity is dependent on the quality of food available. Worms like plenty of organic matter, therefore greens with a high thatch problem tend to encourage worm activity. Soil pH also affects where earthworms are found. In strongly acid or alkaline soils earthworms are rarely seen (pH less than 4.5 or greater than 8). The soil texture will also affect the number of earthworms found; they prefer clay soils and are less frequently found in sandy soils.

Worm activity inevitability leads to worm casts appearing on the playing surface. These worm casts can be very problematic, they tend to smear the surface, which in turn can affect surface water drainage capacity as well as providing a seed bed for weed germination.

Bernhard and Company say they have used the restrictions in movement in the UK to plan some alternatives to visit customers or potential customers interested to hear more about their grinders.

“As a company, we have put protocols in place to make product demonstrations on site as safe as possible. But it is still difficult to organise visits in some areas,” said Steven Nixon, director for Bernhard Company.

“Keeping people safe is our priority, but our distributors and their customers are keen to carry on as best as they can. We are pleased to be giving them the opportunity to understand the benefits of grinding as well as experience the new Bernhard sharpening equipment online,” adds Angelique Crosnier, the company's marketing manager.

A series of demonstration webinars will be available to book online and be free to attend at a time to suit individuals' timetables.

Dates and times to be released shortly. For info email marketing@bernhard.co.uk

Balmers GM have been announced as the latest dealer for the Infinicut and TMSystem ranges.

With depots in Wakefield and Burnley, the dealership will deliver sales and support to professional customers across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Manchester.

Established over 40 years ago, with immediate effect Balmers GM will be stocking the full Infinicut range of floating-head, fixed-head and rotary mowers together with the complete range of TMSystem cassettes.

Balmers GM sales director, Darren Barker, said, “It is fantastic news for Balmers to have Infinicut on board - a huge asset to have in our professional golf and turf machinery portfolio."

Oliver Hall, Infinicut territory sales manager, added, “We are extremely pleased to be working with Balmers GM and have certainly hit the ground running with a series of demonstrations and orders placed in the first few weeks! They have a fantastic reputation for sales and aftercare which is so important for us, as we look to work with both new and existing customers in this area.”

North-West based Gathurst Golf Club have invested in a brand-new fleet of machinery, facilitated by dealers GGM Groundscare, with a retail value of circa £200k to futureproof the club.

L-R: Chairman of Greens, Eddie Cunliffe with Peter Mercer, GGM sales manager

The prestigious 18-hole parkland golf course is a private members-owned club located in Shevington, Wigan. The club say their ageing fleet, with machines that were up to 20 years old, had started to become both problematic and costly and were failing to deliver the standard required. The team realised that a sizeable investment in an entirely new fleet was essential.

Chairman of Greens Eddie Cunliffe called upon local dealers GGM Groundscare, having purchased a machine from the business two years ago and being impressed with the service received. Several considerations had to be taken into account when selecting the best machinery for the job, with reliability and productivity of equipment being key. Being based in the North West of England, it was key for the machinery to perform well in all-weather conditions and operate well on clay surfaces. In addition, the 9th hole has a large dip which the previous machine was unable to get up, proving time consuming for the greenkeeping team to manage.

The club trialled a range of products from Baroness and Kubota and the greens team instantly pleased with the results.

“The new machines have been absolutely brilliant so far and our team have already noticed a huge difference in terms of ease of use and providing a truly outstanding quality of cut," said Eddie Cunliffe. "More so, this new fleet is far more efficient and cost effective”.

He continued, “It was a huge step for the club to move away from the previous manufacturer, and particularly when it came to making an investment of this size, however GGM Groundscare made the process so easy and we have already received outstanding after sales service care. It’s fantastic to know that we’re heading into the future with the very best fleet for our club.”

Chris Gibson, managing director at GGM Groundscare said, “We are absolutely delighted to supply this fleet of machinery to Gathurst Golf Club. There are no better machines for golf clubs to use to maintain one of their biggest assets - their course”.

Kioti UK Ltd, the importer for Kioti compact tractors, UTVs and zero-turn mowers, has announced that from October 2020 they have moved to a new single location.

The new premises is centrally located, just outside St Neots, Cambridgeshire on a spacious farm based industrial estate.

Patrick Desmond, general manager, said, “This represents an exciting step forward in the evolution of Kioti UK. Despite the trying circumstances of 2020 the Kioti products have sold well in ever increasing numbers. This location is ideal for us and has space available allowing us to grow further in the coming years. We look forward to being able to give to our customers old, new and future an increased level of service."

The new address is, Kioti UK Ltd, Unit 11, Eltisley Business Park, St Neots, Cambs. PE19 6TB.

The telephone number remains unchanged 01480 401512.

Alec MacIndoe, course manager  of West Surrey Golf Club has said, “It’s fair to say that if it wasn’t for the dealer back-up and the relationship I’ve built up over the years with James Moore of Farol and John Deere, I wouldn’t still be using their machinery, it’s that simple.”

The club near Godalming earlier this year completed their second John Deere course maintenance equipment package deal with Farol.

(Front right & left) West Surrey Golf Club course manager Alec MacIndoe with dealer Farol golf & grass director James Moore and greenkeeping staff (rear left to right) Tom Horton, Morgan Jenkins, mechanic Steve Cook, Barry Cannon and Greg Richardson

The latest fleet of 22 machines - mostly bought on a John Deere Financial operating lease with some on hire purchase - includes four of the company’s brand new 2750 E-Cut hybrid electric triplex mowers, as well as fairway, tees & surrounds and walk-behind greens mowers, a ProGator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 sprayer, TX Turf Gators and a zero-turn rotary mower.

“We recently completed an £800,000 refurbishment of the clubhouse, renewed or redesigned all of the course’s 64 bunkers, and we’re a long way down the line with upgrading the irrigation system, so the club has proved it’s progressive and committed to investing in the facilities,” says Alec. “I did a lot of work with James Moore to identify and settle on the best options for this latest replacement package, while trying as far as possible to maintain the same financial commitment as before, so as not to overstretch the budget.

“My main question to Farol and John Deere was, as we’re already at a high level, how can we get even better and extend the quality of the playing surfaces even further? I was lucky enough to be shown the answer at the John Deere Classic in the US last year, where I saw the new 2750E for the first time, alongside the company’s GPS PrecisionSprayer and autonomous mower.

“Having this opportunity to see where John Deere was making positive changes to its equipment, particularly with the 2750E mowers, was a real eye-opener. These new mowers have changed our cutting regime massively and I’ve been enormously impressed with the improvement in quality, we’re now getting a much better finish.

“The original idea was to hand mow the greens for most of the summer, but we found that the 2750E gives us the same pace on our USGA spec greens as the walk-behinds. We’d never cut the greens for the club championship with a triplex before, and the positive feedback we got was amazing. We will still hand mow through the winter though, and just use the triples at the weekends.

“We had 7700 fairway mowers in the first package, equipped with QA7 cutting units, but this time round we went for the 7500AE with QA5s, also for the better quality of cut they offer – we’re always looking for improvements in whatever we do.

"We’re now cutting the fairways at 12mm, and the difference in sward quality is huge."

Designed for the professionals, Cramer have an extensive range including blowers (handheld and backpack) and chainsaws, all of which work in all weather conditions thanks to their IPX4 classification, ensuring maximum productivity especially for the Autumn / Winter months.

Cramers 82V cordless Chainsaw range is perfect for users who want a reliable and powerful saw ready at any time. In conventional tree care, workers not only have to contend with harsh weather – but often harmful fumes, high noise levels and vibrations. Our top-of-the-range 82CS25 model generates great performance without any petrol, and is among the market leaders in power, torque and cutting performance. It is safe to handle due to the on/off switch and will be your durable partner thanks to its magnesium construction.

The 82V cordless Leaf Blowers from Cramer are equipped with extremely high air volume and blower capacity, quickly and effortlessly remove leaves, grass cuttings, sand, dirt and rubbish from pavements and surfaces. The 82B900 is perfect for shorter jobs and smaller areas, e.g. for cleaning of cuttings when trimming lawns or hedges. The 82B1000 is perfect for longer jobs and bigger areas such as parking lots, sports grounds and urban areas. It quickly and effortlessly removes leaves, grass cuttings, sand, dirt and rubbish from pavements and surfaces.

Ergonomically designed, all models can be used left or right-handed, with light weight, yet robust construction incorporating many magnesium components for long working hours with less fatigue.

We have chosen to use 82V batteries for very good reasons. Whilst others use lower voltage to power their tools, they can only come near our performance by increasing the current in their circuits. This creates heat that they try to overcome. Something that batteries do not like and can have a detrimental effect on battery life. Using a higher voltage, Cramer batteries provide the effortless power for the toughest jobs whilst ensuring you get the maximum life out of them. And by the way, you won’t notice the difference in your pocket.

But don’t just take our word for it. Put one to the test yourself.

Call Alan on 07850 947274 for your FREE demonstration

www.cramertools.com

CHANGING TIMES AHEAD
Highlighted by the Amenity Forum Conference

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Vital for our parks and open green spaces

A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER
A new set of risks

A CHANGING INDUSTRY
Many influences

A BUSY SEPTEMBER
Plenty for the turf professional to consider

ROADMAP FOR RUGBY
Plan for grassroots

GEARING UP FOR WINTER WORKS
Planning should be in hand

TIME TO PLAN RENOVATIONS
Sward will be in need of some TLC

WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT THE WEATHER?!
Grassed areas looking stressed

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
Opportunities and challenges aplenty

BUSY TIMES FOR TURF PROFESSIONALS
Short turnaround between seasons

BUDGET STATEMENT
The bane of the turf professional's life

NICE TO BE BUSY AGAIN
Getting out and about

CRICKET IS BACK!
Refreshing to see

LITTER LOUTS
What can be done?

INVESTING IN OUR FACILITIES
Vitally important right now

WEATHER STIMULATING PATHOGENS
Prevalence of turf diseases

TIMES ARE CHANGING
True value of parks highlighted

GREEN IS THE COLOUR
Much needed rain

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED
We're entering a new phase

A GRADUAL RECOVERY
Impressive response from our sports turf industry

FIRST STEPS TO NORMALITY
Golf courses reopen

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT PHASE
Of the pandemic

HOW ARE WE COPING?
After six weeks of lockdown

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES TO THE RESCUE
During the Covid-19 crisis

KEEPING OUR RESOLVE
During the lockdown

GETTING ON WITH THE JOB
As best and as safely as we can

TIME TO REFLECT
Our pace of life has changed dramatically

TESTING TIMES AHEAD
Grasping the effects on our industry

UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
Covid-19's impact on our sector

SWITCHED ON TRADE DAY
Makita launch 30 new products

WHO SAID WE ONLY CUT GRASS?!
It takes years to acquire all the turf professional skills

TIME MARCHES ON
New month to hopefully bring much needed sunshine and drying winds

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
Come again another day!

THE PLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE
What can we do to help?

SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Essential renovations

CELEBRATING 2020
Amenity Forum making plans

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

TIME TO GET FIT
Our industry can help tackle the growing obesity crisis

WINTER WORKS AND SHOWS
Plenty to occupy in January

LOOKING AHEAD
What might 2020 hold in store?

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

I thought I would take this opportunity to update you all on a few recent developments and follow up on a number of conversations the Parks Management Forum have had.

Like all of us, in my own authority in Watford, circumstances have hit us hard, financially and emotionally. Because of this I wanted to touch on what I feel our focus should now be and will be discussing this with members of the PMF. The issues that concern me are funding - no surprise here - but my take on this, having spoken to colleagues, is that there is no future bail-out coming.

Despite billions going to culture, arts and heritage and many other sectors, yet again, parks have received nothing, and to be absolutely frank, there is nothing coming. MHCLG have stepped back and appear to have lost interest in parks. DCMS are dishing out money but parks don’t come under their remit. The National Lottery Heritage Fund have new priorities and whilst parks are still important to them, there is no magical bag of money anymore.

So where does this leave us? In pretty dire straits it would seem. Local authorities across the UK now have huge holes in their budgets and in many cases, cuts will have to be made. We now need to shift our emphasis to protecting what we have, to supporting those staff in parks and to promote what we do like we never have before. We must go back to basics but be better at it. We need to support, learn from each other, and continue to be innovative and creative as we have been for years, if not decades. The evidence we have from academics, bodies like Fields in Trust, Green Flag, APSE and Future Parks Accelerator have been incredibly helpful. Yet as a sector we are still incredibly fragmented with many groups pertaining to be ‘the voice of parks’.

Well these voices are all important, but these voices now need to join up and be one unified strong singular voice. With this in mind, and after discussions with some in the sector, including Drew Bennellick and Paul O’Brien, I am hoping we can pull together a meeting of all bodies working in our sector to move this forward. We also now need to look at how we can support those in parks management, maintenance and development roles in the future – building on the knowledge hub we have and looking at developing Technical Advice Notes, specific guidance on the many issues we face day to day.

Chris Worman MBE recently gave an update on the newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group for Parks and Green Spaces

Some of you will be aware that I have been lobbying for an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parks and Green Spaces for some time (outside of PAG).

I am pleased to report that we have seen the inaugural meeting (via Zoom) on this new and important APPG, which was chaired by Lilian Greenwood MP.

The group’s statement of purpose was agreed as “To address the most urgent issues affecting our parks and green spaces, including but not limited to funding, skills, inequality of access and provision, climate change, biodiversity and the impact they have on the nation’s health and wellbeing”. It was also agreed that Keep Britain Tidy will provide the secretariat.

The pandemic has demonstrated how valuable public green spaces are to our nation’s physical and mental well-being, not to mention the vast environmental benefits they provide. The group will provide a unique platform bringing together Parliamentarians, industry experts and other key stakeholders to discuss pressing issues. This is a real first for the industry and puts our discussions into parliament.

Let’s hope this new opportunity will help cement the future funding of parks in the coming years