There are many different ways in which we learn throughout our life.

• Teaching yourself
• Learning through practical experience
• Attending a course or learning online
• Find a mentor.
• Compare your work with an expert.
• Teaching someone else

I believe throughout my career I have probably used all of that list of learning methods. 

A potted history of David Roberts learning and working career.

Attending a course or learning online

I hated school, couldn’t wait to get home, spent most of my day looking out of the classroom windows! I did OK in sciences, when it came to career choices it was a Pharmacist career recommended, but that required 6 years of further study! Forget that! 

I enjoyed working in the garden at home, so the second option was a one-year college course at Rodbaston, learning City and Guilds Horticulture L1 and L2. I loved college, not only was learning fun there was alcohol and women! At that time that was the only horticultural course the college offered. I left and went to work with Staffordshire County Council doing a Youth opportunity scheme. The college then launched a new course, National Certificate of Horticulture a one-year residential course going into a lot more detail in all aspects of horticulture. 

Learning through practical experience 

Once I left college, I thought I could conquer the world! This was mid 1980’s and Maggie’s Britain had a north south divide. I was on the wrong side of it! I had a spell at being self employed landscape gardener, all the time I was doing this I was keeping an eye on the jobcentre to see if any other careers in horticulture came up. Nothing in a whole year. I visited a friend near Southampton and went into a job centre to see what was there and came out with a job! 

I moved South working at Hampshire County Council. I left after 6 months to work for Tonrin contractors, they had a lot of council contracts and MOD bases all over the south of England. They also had IBM Hursley which had 110 acres of parkland, gardens and sports fields. I ended up looking after the two footy pitches, one cricket square and the baseball diamond (well they were an American company). I learnt loads in the three years there. I was on my own with the pitches so had to self-teach, make mistakes and learn quickly from those.

I got moved from Hursley to work on other MOD sites and given charge of a mobile team maintaining a lot of grounds. Tonrin started doing pitch renovations and more specialist work and I was involved when it came to these operations and trusted with some of the new kit that Tonrin invested in. 

Teaching yourself

A lucky break in 1994 (being in the right place at the right time) gave me an opportunity to work at Southampton FC, the Dell part of a 3 man team responsible for the training ground as well as the stadium. This was a huge learning curve! First game for me was against Arsenal, when the Bruce Grobbelaar bung accusation was taking place, bags of monopoly money was being thrown around. 

I had very basic tools to start with and very little help. I read every trade magazine and book I could find. I picked the brains of every salesman that walked in and pushed hard to learn all I could.

Find a mentor

I picked up the phone and called Arsenal football club very early on when at Southampton. Steve Braddock had won the Groundsman of the Year award and I wanted to pick his brains. This was before mobiles or pagers. The groundsman sheds had a bell on the outside and if you were on a mower on the pitch you never heard it. If you did it was a long sprint to the shed to grab the phone before it rang off. I got lucky, I called the Arsenal switchboard and they put me through to Steve who picked up as he was back at the shed. He was brilliant, welcomed me to the Premier League and asked me to come up to Highbury for a visit. We became good friends and kept sharing ideas and experiences throughout my career up until his unfortunate illness and death. Having a Mentor like Steve was brilliant. He helped me loads and would call me if had a challenge or two.

Compare your work with an expert.

I kept challenging myself throughout my career, whenever a problem came up, I wasn’t sure about I would pick up books, get on the internet and speak to colleagues. This has helped me get through many problems! I kept pushing myself to be better. 

• Looking back at previous seasons at what worked, what didn’t.
• Gathering data, weather, grass growth, fertiliser and other inputs, aeration and so on
• Trying to minimise the damage and accelerate the recovery.
• Giving the players what they needed to perform well on for each game but also trying to ensure the pitch was durable for the whole season.
• Visit other venues and learn what they do that works for them

Although we never set out to win the Groundsman/grounds team of the year award we always strived to produce the best pitch possible with the time and resources available. 

I have been lucky enough to manage the grounds teams at some great venues, 13 years at Southampton FC, 9 years at Charterhouse School and 6 years at Liverpool FC.

Teaching someone else

I left Liverpool FC for a complete change. I moved to Portugal and work with my partner Jan with her company Training Unlimited. One of the challenges I have had with my teams is that there are some great training pathways to become a grounds person but once you are there it isn’t easy to do further learning. I had many of the team at Liverpool looking to carry on learning, but we struggled to find anything. 

I decided to build a set of short online training courses around key subjects that would help add further underpinning knowledge around the work we do. When it came to writing my courses and training others, I found it a great way of checking what I knew and putting that into a way others could benefit.

One thing I have noticed moving out of the UK to live and work in Europe, is how much access to training we have in the UK. Much of Europe and much of the world doesn’t have formal qualifications for grounds management. Many grounds staff are regarded as gardeners, not recognising the skills and knowledge. That is changing gradually in Europe.

I have built a range of courses that deliver.

• Introduction into Sports Turf Management
• Sports Turf Nutrition
• Soil biology
• Pest and disease management
• Grow lights
• Introduction into Environmental Sustainability
• Rye grass management
• Irrigation and drainage

I believe outside our industry is that we are seen as just grass cutters. 

Very few people understand our role and the challenges we face daily and yearly. So when it comes to communication and presenting ourselves it is important we convey who we are and what we do and need in a professional manor. So we can communicate with our own team, line managers, players and coaches and external stakeholders.

Learning skills that can make us better communicators and managers is very important. 

With our other trainers we can deliver other courses that cover other subjects that are often not taught to us but can be valuable as we progress in our careers. 

• Time management
• Effective Communication Skills
• Motivation/Adaptability
• Decision Making/Problem solving.
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Interpersonal Skills
• Work Ethic
• Attention to detail.
• Lone working
• Mental Health first aid for managers
• Performance review
• Project management
• Stress management
• Assertiveness
• Supervisory skills

Is there one pathway I could recommend to follow to get to the top? 

No, there are many pathways that can be taken. You don’t have to have formal qualifications however they help prove that you know your stuff. Some employers insist on having them. A lot can be gained from experiences, both good and bad. 

However, a lot comes down to hard work, a lot of patience, a bit of luck and a good positive attitude. 

The GMA have introduced the Pitch Grading Framework, this can help people see where there surface is, and what knowledge is required to manage it or take the pitch to the next level.

We never stop learning.
 

David and daughter Grace and her boyfriend Jack graduating Masters in biology and marine biology at Saints FC

SAGE 2023, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday this week (19-20 July) is hosting the first Sustainability Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit live, in partnership with Bio-Circle and supported by Reesink Turfcare.

The event, at Three Counties Showground in Malvern, will focus on demonstrating how businesses in the sports and outdoor maintenance industries can lower their impact on the environment and take vital steps towards being sustainable. This will include a live panel for sharing sustainable practices among many things.

Bio-Circle, the sustainable surface technology system manufacturer, and machinery distributor Reesink Turfcare say they have joined forces to form an initiative called GreenGrounds to "promote environmental awareness within the turf and groundscare industries, bring the industries together, raise the importance of effective sustainable activities, make an overall positive impact towards decarbonisation and environmentally friendly maintenance for groundscare".

Gillian Haverson, marketing manager at Reesink says: “Reesink and Bio-Circle have come together to accept our environmental and sustainable responsibilities to help the future of the industry. Reesink is happy to support this initiative and bring awareness of more sustainable solutions to groundscare professionals.

“It’s important we focus on providing sustainable, environmentally friendly technology that reduce our customer’s carbon footprint and do not compromise on the quality of the work. Our current offering includes products powered by biodiesel and advanced batteries made more efficient by incorporating electronic fuel injection, hybrid and electric technologies.”

And some of this technology will be at SAGE. The all-electric Greensmaster eFlex 1021 pedestrian mower, for example,will be on the Bio-Circle stand with a Reesink rep available to discuss all electric and hybrid machinery options available from Toro.

John Deere has launched a resettlement programme for military service personnel, offering new career opportunities working on their agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.  

Members of the armed forces have been identified by the manufacturer as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships.

The manufacturer says that responding to a global shortage of qualified technicians in the machinery sector, their Military Hiring Programme will follow in the footsteps of a successful scheme launched in the United States which attracts more than 1,000 potential new recruits a year.  

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere branch training manager.

“The armed forces produces people who are highly skilled, motivated and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians.  

“It’s the perfect fit for John Deere - we are able to play our part in supporting those resettling following careers in the armed forces while also attracting a different pool of people into the business.”

Signaling its commitment, John Deere has this week signed the Armed Forces Covenant; a pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. 

Military personnel have been identified as a key source of talent for the machinery sector as many have already worked with some of the systems and products John Deere uses, making the transition straightforward.

“Those who have served are experts at working under pressure and logically solving problems in order to keep a machine operational,” Allan says. “These are the skills John Deere dealerships need to keep the wheels turning.”

Deere says those signing up to the programme will be offered free technical training to help them apply their current skills to the company's products and services. There are more than 70 courses on offer. 

“Everyone who signs up will be assigned to an employee from the John Deere network who has served in the armed forces who will be there to support each individual during the resettlement process,” Allan says.

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting here. 

After making contact, they will be put in touch with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled following a career in the armed forces to discuss all potential options. 

Kubota (UK) Ltd has announced that GGM is to widen its Kubota portfolio as it expands into the agricultural sector with higher horsepower M-series tractors and R0 loaders, to sit alongside its existing groundcare business.

Chris, Hilary and Thomas Gibson of GGM 

The extended product range is described by the manufacturer as a logical step for the dealership, as it looks to broaden its customer base with a full range of Kubota tractors suited to the agricultural sector. The additional models will include M6001 Utility, M6002 and M7003 models spanning 104-175hp, plus corresponding LK tractor-loader models and R0 pivot steer loaders.

“GGM’s expansion into agriculture continues to reinforce Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the markets,” explained Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s Tractor Business Unit. “GGM already has considerable M-series tractor experience, having delivered on sales, service and support with smaller M4003 and M5002 models to a broad spectrum of customers and industries.”

GGM has a long-standing business relationship with Kubota which spans more than 45 years. Based in Colne, Lancashire, with a second depot at Haydock, Merseyside, GGM will be accessible to agricultural customers throughout Merseyside, parts of Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Managing director Chris Gibson said, “This is an exciting new chapter for our business. Many of our staff already have experience and knowledge of the smaller M-series tractors, and we’re in the process of increasing our sales, service and engineering teams to support new and existing customers with Kubota’s higher horsepower tractors and implements, as we extend into the agricultural sector.”

Chris continued, “We already have a strong and competent team that is capable of delivering first class customer service and support, with professional groundcare machinery. And we’re confident of replicating that same level of support across the farming sector.”

Founded in 2019 and currently in its 4th grant cycle, The FairWays Foundation says it has received a record number of applications and is now in the process of reviewing the 48 projects that qualified for Grant Committee consideration.

The Foundation says that projects will undergo a stringent review process throughout the summer, with board approvals taking place in September. All successful grantees will be announced in October. 

In 2022, The FairWays Foundation completed its third grant cycle, bringing the total funding to $441,791 since its inception with 29 projects supported across the UK USA, and Canada. It is anticipated that total funding will surpass the $600,000 mark this year. 

Greg Lovell, president of The FairWays Foundation said, “We are extremely happy with this year’s grant applications. The quality and variety of projects is amazing. We have a record number of applications from a record number of countries and access to a record dollar amount to award.” 

The FairWays Foundation is a stand-alone 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting conservation and stewardship within the turf industry and beyond. The foundation supports conservation-based projects both big and small by granting funds to successful applicants globally. 

The new Kress RTKn robot mowers extend unmanned mowing to larger areas. They efficiently operate in parallel lines and autonomously move from an area to another, as if they were driven by humans. No need for boundary wires, nor on-site antennas.

There are many applications that will benefit from Kress RTKn mowers, including residential properties with extensive lawns. The RTKn is perfect for all larger properties, sports fields, golf courses, public parks - you name them. Unmanned mowing is the ideal solution for countless applications, providing quiet, emission-free turf management, with an operating cost that is a fraction of manned mowing.

Other robotic mowers that make use of RTK require the installation of at least one station antenna for each lawn, which needs to be powered and placed in open areas with an open sky. Kress RTKn delivers centimeter accuracy with no station antenna on site.

RTKn is different to others, as it gives positional accuracy to the power of network. To ensure centimeter-level accuracy, Kress’ expanding proprietary network of reference GNSS receivers continuously delivers RTK correction data to each mower via the mobile phone network.

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) provides geo-spatial positioning with 2 to 5 meters accuracy, then real-time kinematic correction is applied to achieve centimeter-level accuracy. And even if there’s poor satellite signal, due to signals being blocked by buildings and trees, inertial navigation and odometry take over to precisely route the mower until it reaches an open sky area and satellite navigation is restored.

More benefits of RTKn include:

• Quick setup: Once a Kress dealer has mapped the areas and installed the charging station, you’re done − no on-site antennas installation needed.
• Zero emissions: No polluting exhaust fumes, no emission of greenhouse gasses.
• Quiet operation: Hotels can get their lawns manicured when customers are asleep, offices while people work and even educational institutions while people learn.
• Efficiency: The mower works in parallel lines, mowing large lawns as quickly as an experienced landscaper.
• Operational savings: No labour cost, negligible impact on your energy bill and minimal maintenance expense compared to combustion-engine mowers.

Visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/ for more.

SPORTING (SURFACES) PROWESS

WATER SHORTAGES

CRICKET ON THE UP

MY TOP FIVE CONCERNS

by guest editor, Andrew Turnbull 

BIODIVERSITY IN PARKS

DROUGHT CONDITIONS PREVAIL

MAY BE BUSY

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
by guest editor Angus Macleod

TURF HARVEST FESTIVAL

FEEDING TIME

TIME TO GET TOUGH

STAY CURIOUS!
by guest editor, Alex Vickers

A TRANSISTIONAL MONTH

SPRING IS UPON US

HEDGE YOUR BETS

PEOPLE'S PARKS, PUBLIC PARKS - IN PERIL?

by guest editor, Paul Rabbits

TESTING TIMES AHEAD

ROBOTIC POTENTIAL

CHANGEOVER TIME

WE MUST DEVELOP OUR OWN STAFF

by guest editor, Karl McDermott

DOUBLE CENTURY CELEBRATED

OUR PARKS IN CRISIS

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

OPTIMISM RETURNING
By Guest Editor, Roy Rigby

WATERLOGGING ISSUES

NEW YEAR, NEW FEATURES

View all of 2022's blogs here

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

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?

Having a lawn as a desirable feature of residential properties can be traced back to ancient civilisations, particularly in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where wealthy individuals maintained green spaces around their homes. However, the concept of lawns as we know them today, with meticulously maintained grass, became fashionable during the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe.

In Europe, the concept of the lawn was heavily influenced by the English landscape garden movement. The landscape designer and architect, Capability Brown, played a significant role in popularising the idea of expansive lawns as an essential element of grand estates during the 18th century. Brown's naturalistic approach to landscaping, which included sweeping lawns, meadows, and carefully placed trees, became the epitome of fashionable garden design.

The fashion for lawns continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. With the rise of suburban living and the development of urban parks, having a well-maintained lawn became a symbol of prosperity and social status. The invention and widespread adoption of the lawnmower in the 19th century made it easier for homeowners to cultivate and maintain their lawns.

Today, having a lawn remains a common aspiration for many homeowners, although there is growing awareness of the environmental impact of large expanses of grass and a shift towards more sustainable landscaping practices.

When I was growing up on a 1950s housing estate nearly every house had a front and rear garden area with a lawn taking up most of the space. And I remember my dad cutting the lawns with a Ransome’s cylinder pedestrian push mower.   

My initial professional association with maintaining a lawn was when I was an apprentice gardener working for Birmingham City Council in the 1970s and one of my jobs was to cut large areas of lawns in both Cannon Hill Park and Kings Heath Park. 

These lawns where the main features as you came into the parks and were cut and edged up twice a week using an old 36-inch Dennis cylinder mower and a couple of Atco pedestrian mowers. 

It was a very satisfying job and certainly helped present the park in a positive way. However today we do not tend to see the attention to detail and the cutting regimes we had back then, attitudes and changing work practices have changed the way local authorities maintain their parks. 

For most they are now probably only cutting on a fortnightly mowing cycle allowing the clippings left to fly - plus they will be using larger mowing machines to be more efficient.

In recent years we have seen a different set of trends and attitudes towards the maintenance of lawns, especially with the advent and popularity of owning a car, we are now seeing many of our traditional front lawns being turned into hardstanding car parks. 

We have also recently seen the popularity of the No Mow May campaign where people leave their lawns to grow during the month, with the aim of attracting more bees and insects into the garden. 

This practice of leaving the grass to grow longer is another popular trend, commonly known as 'rewilding' or the act of leaving the grassed areas to grow, over a long period of time. However I believe there are many things to consider when letting areas of grass to go wild.

The underlying soil type and seed bank populations will influence the type of flora that will grow when left unattended. Also, we are now seeing a lot of annual / bi annual wild flower seed mixes being sown down to help rewild areas. 

For me, having a decent lawn can bring several benefits to your home and the surrounding environment:

A well-maintained lawn enhances the overall appearance of your property, adding beauty and curb appeal. It creates a welcoming and visually pleasing environment, which can increase your home's value and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

A lawn provides a valuable space for relaxation, recreation, and outdoor activities. It offers an inviting area for picnics, barbecues, playing sports, or simply enjoying time outdoors with family and friends. A green lawn can have a calming effect and contribute to a peaceful atmosphere.

Lawns contribute to a healthier environment in various ways. They act as natural filters, trapping dust and pollutants, which helps improve air quality. Grass absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen through photosynthesis, reducing greenhouse gases. Additionally, a well-maintained lawn can prevent soil erosion and filter rainwater, promoting groundwater recharge.

Grass can significantly impact the temperature around your home. It acts as a natural coolant, reducing the heat island effect in urban areas. Lawns absorb heat and release it slowly, keeping the immediate environment cooler. This can be particularly beneficial during hot summer months.

A healthy lawn promotes good soil health. Grass helps prevent soil erosion by binding the soil particles together with its root system. It also improves soil structure, increases microbial activity, and enhances nutrient cycling. A healthy lawn can contribute to a fertile soil ecosystem that supports the growth of other plants in your garden.

Lawns can act as natural sound barriers, absorbing and reducing noise levels from surrounding areas. They can help create a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere within your property.

Also the combination of letting some parts of the lawn to go wild, perhaps creating a semi rough area that allowed to grow longer say 100-150mm and mown once a month coupled with creating some the rewilding areas, will enhance the look of your garden and reduce the need for mowing wall to wall. 

A well-maintained lawn, with diverse plant species and appropriate landscaping practices, can attract various wildlife. It provides a habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, contributing to biodiversity and ecological balance. We have seen in recent years the Psychological benefits that come with maintaining lawns or indeed allowing areas to go wild. Being in nature and surrounded by greenery has a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and improving overall well-being. A well-kept lawn can offer a tranquil retreat right outside your doorstep.

Lawn care

Remember, maintaining a lawn requires regular care, including mowing, watering, and fertilising. It's important to adopt sustainable practices, such as

using eco-friendly products and conserving water, to ensure the long-term health of your lawn and minimise environmental impact.

And on the same front, a wild flower areas will also need maintenance imports at the end of the growing season, usually a mow and collect regime late august / September and then the following spring  the need to rotovate and resow with additional seed mixtures. 

As for machinery, most machinery dealerships can offer a wide range of manufacturers' products to cope with any scope, size and scale of garden lawn. Ranging from pedestrian mowers to large ride on mowers, generally petrol, diesel or battery powered. 

Over the last five years we have seen a boom in the sale of robotic mowers that come in a wide range of abilities in term of performance and safety features, they are now completely autonomous and can be left to cut the lawn areas without supervision, they even alert you when there a problem.  

The key requirements for maintaining a healthy lawn are:

• You have a decent depth of topsoil at least 100mm with a soil pH between 5-7 pH and has a balance of available NPK nutrients and is not compacted and able to drain freely.
• Water your lawn deeply and infrequently rather than frequent light watering. This encourages the roots to grow deeper, making the grass more resilient. Water early in the morning to minimise evaporation and fungal diseases.
• Mowing techniques - set your mower blades to the correct height for your grass type. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Regular mowing helps prevent weed growth and promotes denser, healthier turf. Weekly mowing is the norm for achieving a decent lawn. you can either collect or allow your clipping to fly.
• Apply a balanced fertiliser to your lawn according to the needs of your grass type. Follow the recommended application rates and timings to avoid over-feeding, which can harm the grass and the environment.
• Regularly inspect your lawn for weeds and take prompt action to control them. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Spot-treat existing weeds with selective herbicides.
• Overseeding helps fill in thin or bare patches in your lawn and promotes a lush, dense turf. Choose the right grass seed for your climate and grass type. Prepare the soil and spread the seed evenly, following the recommended seeding rate.
• Aerating your lawn relieves soil compaction and allows nutrients, water, and oxygen to reach the grass roots more effectively.
• Monitor your lawn for pests such as grubs, insects, or disease outbreaks. Take preventive measures like proper watering, mowing, and fertilisation to maintain a healthy lawn. If necessary, use targeted insecticides or fungicides following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Clean up debris Remove fallen leaves, sticks, and other debris regularly to prevent them from smothering the grass and harboring pests or diseases.
• Regular maintenance: Keep up with routine maintenance tasks like edging, trimming, and removing weeds. This will give your lawn a neat and well-maintained appearance.
• Carry out appropriate Spring and Autumn lawn renovations that generally involves scarifying the lawn in 2/3 directions to clean out any dead material, overseeding to repopulate the lawn and giving it a feed, and if required apply some top dressing to restore levels.  

Remember that achieving a great lawn is an ongoing process that requires consistent care and attention. Be patient, observe your lawn's needs, and adapt your lawn care practices accordingly.