Following on from last week’s blog, the weather continues to dampen the start of our growing season with a spate of heavy downpours that are no doubt testing the patience of many turf professionals and volunteers alike. 

I have been dodging the rain showers in between some gardening jobs. It would seem from reading Mark Hunt’s comprehensive weather blog we are forecast even more periods of wet weather during May which for me is probably a good thing, in that all this precipitation will help top up our much-depleted reservoirs, lakes and rivers.

This coupled with the fact we have high soil and air temperatures well into double figures, means that grass growth is now vigorous. It will likely catch some local authorities out in terms of keeping the grass cut, especially during the two recent busy bank holidays. 

Van Vuuren TURFTICK 2316 and New Holland tractor 

My recent travels have included more Green Flag judging of local authority parks. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the grassed areas were being cut and collected on a weekly basis, a task in recent years that has demised for many local authorities.

Burslem Park, Stoke 

For several years now, councils have faced continuous budget cuts and are left with little else to make savings on. The recent trend of rewilding and the planting of wildflower areas has to some degree helped make some savings. But talking to many councils, they have substantially reduced their cutting regimes to the bare minimum and we are now seeing a lot of longer grass areas in parks and on road verges.

Turf harvest demo day

Last Wednesday I had the chance to attend a Campey Turf Care Growers Day, held at one of Talbot Turf’s nurseries in Derbyshire.

The day was organised to show some off the latest machinery that’s available for maintaining and harvesting turf.

With over 40 people attending, myself and other members of the trade press were able to watch demos of a wide range of Campey products designed to make the job more efficient and labour saving. 

Members of the press 

On demo was a self stacking Van Vuuren turf harvester, one of only three currently in the UK. The Campey Turf Brush, Uni Rake, Vredo Seeder and the latest 7m wide Trimax Pegasus rotary mower system were also on display.

Richard Campey and the ever-present team of Campey senior sales representatives were on hand to offer advice to a number of visiting turf professionals that included Stuart Yarwood from DLF and David Howells from Barenbrug, along with a number of professional turf growers.

Bob Sievwright talking Trimax 

The demos began with Richad introducing the founder of Trimax Mowing Systems,  Bob Sievwright, who spoke about how he started the business back in the 1980s and the chance meeting with Richard Campey that enabled him to bring this new mowing technology to the UK.

On demo was their revamped S5, 7 metre wide, three deck rotary mower. This machine, we heard, has been modified to improve its performance and cutting ability.

Vredo Seeder 

Campey Uni Rake 

Richard (pictured above) also spoke about the Vredo seeders and Unirakes and introduced a demo of the new 7m wide turf brush which is becoming a popular product for turf growers and greenkeepers to brush large areas to help keep them clean, free of worm casts. It also acts a light process of scarification, cleaning out any surface debris.

Van Vuuren TURFTICK 2316 

The final demo of the day was the impressive self-stacking turf harvester that was luckily able to harvest turf in a complete downpour! Corne Van Drogenbroek was on hand to talk us through the selling points of the machine.

The Van Vuuren TURFTICK 2316 performing in the rain 

With a cutting width of 16 inches (or on request a 18 or 24 inches), the machine has the capacity to cut up to 1120-1260 m2 per hour depending on pallet size.

It is a suitable machine for turf growers looking at daily performance of between 6000-7000 m2. However, it does come at a cost of around 175,000euros, but the manufacturer does point out its self-stacking system helps reduce labour time. If you do the maths and allow 1euro for each m2 harvested a day, it would be technically paid for after 30 days of harvesting.

I felt it was a truly impressive machine, especially considering we witnessed it operate in difficult ground conditions.

All in all, I had an interesting day catching up with fellow professionals and as usual being well looked after by the Campey team.  

A reshuffle of the GreenMech dealer network has seen the introduction of a number of new sales, service and parts partners in important areas across the country.

Full distribution arrangements have been reached with Ross McTurk Engineering, Silvestria and Griffin Machinery Solutions, while MKM Agriculture will now be providing after-sales support to customers in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire and Hunts Engineering covering customer support across Oxfordshire. 

Ross McTurk Engineering, from their depot at Felixkirk Airfield near Thirsk, will be offering sales and support across the manufacturer's portfolio to those operating in and around Yorkshire, County Durham and the area south of the Tyne in Tyne and Wear. 

Picking up the baton for Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales is Silvestria - owned and operated by an experienced tree surgeon. Together with sales, the company will also be offering tailored servicing and parts support. 

Completing the trio of new full-line dealerships is Griffin Machinery Solutions (GMS). The dealership will be adding GreenMech woodchippers to the list of machinery available for hire, sales, service and repair to their extensive customer base across Hertfordshire, Essex, Middlesex and the area north of the Thames in Greater London. 

Two new supporting dealers have also been announced by the manufacturer.

Bedfordshire’s MKM Agriculture will be providing parts and servicing to those in the surrounding counties of Northants and Buckinghamshire, while Hunts Engineering will be looking after customers in Oxfordshire from their depot in South Warwickshire.  

GreenMech's sales director Martin Lucas, said, “As a brand, we pride ourselves on offering not just quality products, but industry-leading after-sales support to our customers both old and new.

"In this reshuffle, we are delighted to welcome a wealth of knowledge and experience into the network, that will ensure we can continue to deliver the top level of service that people have come to expect when they purchase a GreenMech product.” 

TurfPro understands these appointments are to replace county areas previously covered by Balmers, Lloyds, Turners and George Browns. 

Henton & Chattell Ltd is to become a Kubota dealer for agricultural and groundcare machinery, covering the east Midlands area.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Henton & Chattell

The appointment of the Nottingham-based dealership comes after their announcement in January this year that they were to part ways with John Deere following a relationship of two decades.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Henton & Chattell said, "We are delighted to have this opportunity to move our business forward with Kubota.

"We like to be successful in every market we’re in, which means it’s all about our team, its knowledge, and the ability to deliver first class customer service.

“We already have a strong groundcare team,” Peter continued. "The opportunity to develop an agricultural machinery business to provide sales, service and support to the industry through a partnership with a dynamic and forward-thinking tractor manufacturer, is the next logical stage of our business development.”

Kubota meanwhile said this appointment is a strategic move for their long-term business ambition, which is to continue to grow the groundcare and agricultural machinery aspects of its business.

“This latest dealer announcement reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the market,” explained Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s Tractor Business Unit. “The appointment of Henton & Chattell will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important market sectors, by serving a wider cross-section of customers.”

Established in 1931, Henton & Chattell is one of the largest garden machinery distributors in the UK. A family-owned business, it supplies a broad range of customers from its logistics operation, which boasts a workforce of 85 and over 11,000 square metres of warehouse space.

This new arrangement brings M-series tractors, implements and R0 compact loaders, plus a range of groundcare and professional turf care products, as well as RTV utility vehicles to Hentons.

Origin Amenity Solutions has recently delivered their latest GPS guided robotic line marking machine, the TinyLineMarker (TLM) Pro X, to long-standing customer Countrywide Grounds Maintenance (CW) in Devon.

Steven Hurley is the regional manager for CW Devon. one of 46 nationwide franchisees to provide complete grounds maintenance services for education facilities, housing associations, facilities management companies and estates. 

In early March 2023 Steven procured his second robot . He explained, “We carry out the line marking requirements for approximately 80 schools, colleges, and sports fields. There is planned acquisition of further schools this year so we need to be in a position to meet the additional requirements these will bring. After initial marking we carry out weekly over-marking so I anticipate both of our robots will be in use full time.”

Steven Hurley

Steven continued, “Our first robot is the Pro which has been brilliant. After five years it is still going strong, but it was time to add to the fleet. We need to be able to offer high quality line marking to all our customers in a timely fashion. The additional robot will ensure we can do that."

Steven says he is particularly impressed with one of the new features, the multi-select tool. This tool gives users the ability to queue up multiple pitches to be marked out in a specific order of their choosing, and the robot will then mark out the designated areas. “This feature will be invaluable; it will save me so much time, he said.

Steven concluded, “I’m really delighted with the new robot. Its many new features are going to be invaluable to us and having a second machine means we can service many more customers.”

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

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?

In the first of this series of articles, we sought to get a clearer definition of what sustainability is and what it means to an organisation, especially in the amenity horticulture sector. Sustainability comprises three pillars or components namely economic viability, environmental protection and social equity. The definition of these is important when any organisation seeks to become more sustainable, or indeed seeks to deliver more sustainable products and services to its customers. The remaining articles on this subject will now look more closely at various sub sectors of, and activities in amenity, and those providing services to them which hopefully will help all readers in their own search for sustainability. Previously we considered Sustainability In Practice, Sustainability At The Sharp End, and Sustainability In Supply.

This month we give a particular focus on the control and management of weeds in amenity spaces.

The need to control or manage weeds (plants growing in the wrong place) is a requirement for all involved in maintaining and developing amenity and sports spaces. Indeed, it is essential so that such areas can be kept safe, healthy and fit for purpose. On hard surfaces, excessive weed growth can create slip hazards, on sports pitches impact on playing conditions and even in areas such as  wild flower meadows, control of certain species is important to avoid competition problems. Effectively, weed management is an essential component of sustainability – protecting the environment, place and people.

Prior to the UK leaving the European community, it was subject to various directives, one of which was entitled the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD). Arising from this, each member country had to have in a place a National Action Plan (NAP) which established legal requirements and guidance, applicable to all involved in weed, pest and disease management in agriculture and horticulture. The current UK plan is very much based upon guidance and establishing targets but there are some legal requirements in terms of operator training, sprayer testing and obligations when purchasing plant protection products. In amenity, the voluntary organisation which acts as the link between government and the sector on such matters is the UK Amenity Forum. This seeks to work with all involved to promote best practice and help meet the requirements and targets set out in the plan. 

Following the UK departure from the EU, the National Action Plan is under review and a new one was due over a year ago. It is still delayed, caught up in the political approval process, so for the time being the current one NAP applies. However there are some clear messages emerging from government about the future plan which are very relevant to weed management operations, and these will form the core of this article. The key emphasis going forward will undoubtedly be on adopting sustainable practice. The plan will seek assurance that all approaches to the task of weed control and management are undertaken in the most sustainable manner by adopting an integrated approach.

 
Adopting an integrated approach is often referred to but exactly what does it mean? Just as there can be misunderstandings of what sustainability means, the same applies to the term integrated. In terms of weed management, some jump to a conclusion that it means not using herbicides; some use the language of seeking alternatives. In truth, taking an integrated approach to weed management involves assessment of all the factors and methods involved including plant protection products so as to choose the most appropriate mix for a given situation which is economic, efficient and effective and minimises impact upon the environment and protects the public. Taking an integrated approach provides the best sustainable practice.

How is it done? Well for any given situation it begins with producing a plan, often referred to as an integrated weed management plan (IWM), which needs to consider the following:

• Is weed control essential and could the need for it be eliminated or minimised by improved management of the site and better planning of its use and requirements?
• If weed management is needed, what level of control is required?  Does it need complete weed eradication, as in treating invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed, or could a certain level of weed infestation be tolerated?
• Having established the need for weed control, the plan will review all the various approaches and methods available, either as single methods or combinations. These include cultural, mechanical and plant protection products both synthetic and biological. These approaches will then be evaluated in terms of cost, effectiveness, safety, health, environmental impact and, ideally, subject to some form of life cycle analysis to measure carbon impact (a subject to be returned to in more detail in a later article in this series)
• In creating the plan, it is also important to seek co-ordination of activities across all involved. For example in urban areas, when controlling weeds on streets and pavements, ensuring those involved in sweeping and keeping areas clean needs to link with those applying plant protection products and other methods.
• Following this review, an approach will be determined and adopted. If it involves the use of plant protection products, checks will be made to ensure such product is safely stored, meeting legal requirements, and that fully tested and inspected equipment is used by appropriately certificated and trained operatives.
• The plan will also include a method of review, following implementation, and will be updated regularly to take account of developments and innovations. Such review will consider issues such as re-designing areas to minimise weed growth. An example here is the design of curbing in built up areas. Hard corners create build-up of detritus, difficult to sweep and encouraging weed growth. Another example is how areas are established and kept in the very best conditions, again minimising weed problems.

All of this can seem quite daunting but it really does not need to be complex or involve lengthy documentation. It does however require evidence that all stages have been considered. The outcome is a demonstration of best sustainable practice. The Amenity Forum have excellent guidance on all of this and a template to help crate integrated weed management plans, well worth seeking a copy (www.amenityforum.co.uk).

Any article on this topic though cannot avoid addressing the debate on pesticides. There are active lobby groups who believe that all such products are unacceptable and unsustainable. They are entitled to their view but, as with all these things, it is important to take a balanced and evidence based perspective. Undoubtedly, in years gone by, some of the pesticides used have been proved to be unsafe and removed. However existing products are rigorously tested (far more so than for many other domestic ones) and on-going review and regulations apply in terms of their storage and use. Being sustainable in weed control is not about giving up these tested and approved pesticides as such but ensuring that, where their use is needed, application is targeted and minimised with weeds being managed in an integrated approach. 

 
And in all the approaches to weed management and sustainability, carbon emissions and footprint must be considered. A recent comprehensive study, undertaken by independent experts and academics, looked at a range of approaches to weed control on city streets. Its results were very significant in that, taking account of all the factors and adopting a life cycle analysis, using plant protection products, far from being the least sustainable approach, was indeed often the best. Again more on this in a future article.

Throughout this series of articles, I keep coming back to what sustainability really means and its three core components. Taking a balanced and integrated approach to weed management is the best policy and indeed many are almost certainly adopting such approaches without knowing. I recently spoke to a manager of sports pitches and related areas in a city who was keen to adopt sustainable practice. She described her approaches to weed management and was surprised to hear from me that she was already very much adopting sustainable practice; she just did not realise. Adopting sustainable practices need not involve a radical approach, small steps may be all that is needed. Whatever approach is taken to managing weeds needs to be economic, efficient and effective, minimising impact on the environment as much as possible. Managing golf fairways and greens demands proper control of weeds to ensure playing conditions are fit for purpose but, in the rough areas, more emphasis can be put on diversity and encouraging wildlife. Producing conditions which minimise weed problems is also important, all part of a fully holistic approach.

All of us with a little work can contribute to a more sustainable approach. It was Gordon Hinkley who said "without hard work nothing grows but weeds."

The next article in this series will look more closely at innovation, research and trials works for the amenity sector and explore how sustainability is driving the direction of this important area.