I am aware that several cricket clubs have struggled to get some of their early fixtures played, mainly due to the appalling cold wet weather we faced during April - coupled with the fact we also had a very dry February and a cold March. 

These poor weather fronts certainly put paid to any hope of a decent pre-season rolling campaign for many clubs up and down the country. Also experiencing plenty of rain in April meant that many groundsmen could not fully prepare their wickets in time for the start of their playing season. 

However, let’s hope we get some more favourable weather in May, when soil and air temperatures will surely rise well into double figures and help the recovery, drying out some of these cricket grounds enabling the clubs to get back on track with their matches. 

As for me, I have been busy renovationing lawns with my work colleague John Breeze. We have been trialling an Elliet Scarifier and Elliet Seeder kindly provided by  Chris Gibson of GGM, with the intention to write a forthcoming article about their performance.

We have also used it on Bayston Hill Bowling Green, scarifying in two directions. With the use of rotary mowers and STIHL blowers we were soon able to clean up the surfaces and remove the debris fetched out by the scarifier. 

With warmer temperatures, May is a good time to start your fertiliser programme. Choosing the right fertiliser product and application method is essential for a good outcome.

Depending what soil you have, this will affect the performance of your grass plant. That is why it is essential you carry out a soil test and find out the current nutrient status of your soil before you apply any fertilisers. Fertilisers provide the plant with the essential elements for growth and each element of the fertilisers we apply throughout the year can and will affect the use and availability of other elements that may be available or applied. 

Understanding your plants needs are essential to advocating a relevant feeding programme.

Today we have some sound advice provided by my friend and colleague Phil Sharples, a renowned turf professional, on how you can detect nutrient deficiency symptoms in your plants.

Read Phil’s article here.

For me, having a good healthy loam-based soil, rather than a straight sand or 70/30 rootzone, is more forgiving and better suited for holding onto the essential elements.

However, a lot of modern-day sports pitches now have either pure sand rootzones or a specific percentage of sand and soil/ compost mix ( 70/30, 80/20, 60/40) depending on construction. These rootzones are often prone to leaching and constantly need feeding. 

Once you have sorted you required NPK ratios, it’s then about deciding on what type of product you need to apply. These can come in both granular or liquid formulations. 

You also must bear in mind the outcome you require. The needs of a fine turf playing surface will be different to a rye grass sports turf (rugby / football) natural grass playing surface. Some grass species can be hungrier than others.

As with any fertiliser product there will be a need for having an appropriate level of moisture in the soil profile to help activate the applied fertiliser elements, therefore there may be a need to apply during rain if you do not have an irrigation / watering system. 

The cost of fertilisers has shot up substantially since the pandemic and Brexit, so it pays to shop around and be more selective and more importantly ensure you are only putting down what your grass plant needs. 

Understanding your soil and maintaining the appropriate nutrient status of your soil is critical for maintaining plant health.   

The green grass of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club in Bristol is now complimented with a carnival of colours including reds, pinks and purples due to the introduction of wildflower seed.

The project is now into its third year and was the brainchild of deputy head greenkeeper Craig Swindells who, together with support from the membership, has successfully introduced 800sq.m of outstanding visual impact together plus food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife. 

Craig has been at the 18-hole parkland course, situated on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, for the last 12 years and works as part of a greens team of seven including one trainee and two member volunteers. He explains, “While the trees add great definition to the course, it means we’re very ‘green’ so I presented the idea of planting two new wildflower areas to the committee and they gave us their full support. One member in particular, Geoff McFarland, who shares my passion for ecology was generous enough to fund the project.” 

The first seed from DLF went into the ground in May 2021 - a combination of Pro Flora 8, comprising of 80% grasses and 20% robust wild flowering species, and Colour Boost 1 (Carnival) for hight-impact annuals. “The weather hadn’t been kind up to that point, but we went from seed to full bloom in under two months and what a bloom we had! Bold bright colours and an abundance of bees and butterflies enjoying the rich food source it provided. We had a wealth of lovely messages and members of the public coming in to have a look.

“At the end of the first season, we cut back and hand-picked unwanted growth as and when we saw it. Year two we left the areas alone and found we achieved great uptake with the perennials and, as you’d expect, fewer annuals though some did self-seed. It still looked good but like most plants, struggled with the ground being so dry through the summer of 2022. Now, we’re going into year three and we’re overseeding again, this time with Colour Boost’s Biodiversity mix to introduce a wide range of flowering varieties."

Craig concluded, “This project has brought so many benefits to the players, the wildlife and even the general public and we really couldn’t have wished for more. The support and guidance from DLF along the way has also been brilliant."

The Master Service Technician award, the highest training achievement Reesink Turfcare and Toro Commercial has to offer, has been awarded to four more technicians. 

They are:

• Chris Hester from Cheshire Turf Machinery
• Ian Hill from Oliver Landpower
• Stuart Barrie from Reesink Scotland
• Michael Dixon from Lloyd Limited (Newcastle branch)

Each have completed one of the most stringent and comprehensive training courses in the industry and are now able to offer the highest level of service in the UK.

Reesink’s first Master Service Technician, David Creasy

The Master Service Technician (MST) programme is specifically designed to provide the most thorough training for Authorised Dealer Technicians, ensuring their skillset is updated and meets the demands of the industry’s continuous evolution. 

Reesink say with the rapid development of electric and hybrid technology, it’s important that the skills and knowledge in those areas progress at an equivalent rate so that technicians and dealers can better serve their customers and the Toro product. 

Stuart Barrie confirms this is very much the case, “As engineers we need to keep up with industry progress and development. We all know about climate change and the move from petrol/diesel to electric power in the car industry. Not so well known is our industry is going through the same changes. This course makes sure all engineers are adequately trained to carry on with day to day repairs and requirements as the changes happen.”

When considering the advantages this will bring for customers, Ian Hill said, “The MST course provides the opportunity to train to a standard that’s not widely available in the industry. In a customer facing role, it’s an advantage to be able to give the best level of support and advice to customers and ensure high standards of service on hybrid and all electric systems.” 

Michael Dixon agrees, saying, “Completing the MST training has meant that Lloyds as a dealer has also benefitted, receiving better warranty return rates and boosting the dealer standards score. It has not gone unnoticed by the company that my efforts have had a positive impact on the business.”

Chris Hester added, "It’s a huge achievement to pass the interview process and be accepted onto the course; that in itself is a worthy addition to the CV! But most of all, it’s recognition for the dedication and hard work you’ve put into your career and with it being similar to a degree in this sector, it’s a big deal.”

Summing up the benefits having a qualified MST in the business, Sean Trotter, service manager from Lloyds, said, “This training gives the engineer the recognition they deserve for their skill set and abilities. It’s an industry recognised qualification held in high esteem with our customers in the golf industry and brings financial benefits with warranty reimbursement and a contribution towards the training once qualified.”

The course has been set up with further benefits for the qualifying technician too as Michael explains: “There’s a trip to America to get a first hand insight into the goings on of Toro and where it all comes from. For someone who works for a dealer this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and trips like this rarely come around.”

Landscape, the industry trade show and the SGD (Society of Garden Designers) have joined together to put on what they describe as a night to remember. 

The SGD have been partners since Landscape’s first Show, and 2023 is described as their biggest collaboration yet. The show organisers say the SGD Soirée is designed for attendees to mingle with like-minded professionals and make meaningful connections. There will be food and drinks on offer to enjoy with the entertainment.

Garden Designers represent a third of Landscape’s visitors and are a key part of what the show is all about. That’s why Landscape say they have designed this evening to give SGD members an opportunity to socialise with the industry, especially with the absence of the SGD Awards this year.

The Soirée is a ticketed event taking place between 18:30 and 22.00 in Hall 3 at the NEC Birmingham on 27th September, the first day of the show.

Equip Exposition, the international trade show based in Louisville, Kentucky has opened registration for the 2023 event, held from October 17-20th at the Kentucky Exposition Center. 

“Equip Exposition is the experience of the year for anyone in the landscape, hardscape, outdoor living, and power equipment business,” said Kris Kiser, President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns and manages the trade show. “Last year we saw a sold-out exhibit hall and brought more than 25,000 people to Louisville. As we celebrate 40 years of Expo together, it’s going to be a can’t-miss event.” 

Early-Bird discounted registration is available until September 7t.

This year in addition to Expo’s 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard and expansive indoor exhibit space, downtown Louisville will feature several major events for attendees, all included in their registration: 

• A first-ever arena concert, sponsored by Bobcat Company and Senix, at the Yum! Center featuring headliner Third Eye Blind and Dylan Scott.
• A Welcome Reception, sponsored by Cat Compact Track Loaders, hosted at the downtown Kentucky International Convention Center with a concert from Expo house band, The Crashers.

Other new show experiences for 2023 include:

• Keynote speech by Polar Explorer and master storyteller Ben Saunders.
• Expanded exhibit space in the West Wing allows exhibitors to showcase and demonstrate more products indoors.
• A first-ever Women’s Reception, open to all women attending Expo to network and connect, hosted Thursday, October 19, at the KEC
• Expanded education tracks designed to help attendees expand into new business segments and increase their profits.
• New business lounges, meeting spaces and expanded seating areas at the KEC.
• Landscape education for young people will be sponsored by the TurfMutt Foundation. Children ages 12 and up may attend the show.
• Improved shuttle bus, rideshare and transportation logistics will make getting around easier.
• More coffee shops, breakfast, and food offerings on-site

Equip Exposition will also feature live in-tree climbing demonstrations from the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop and Davey Tree, Mulligan’s Fun Run & 5K, the UTV Test Track, the Drone Zone, and Mulligan’s Mutt Madness, a national dog adoption event, sponsored by the TurfMutt Foundation.

TIME TO GET TOUGH

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A TRANSISTIONAL MONTH

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Fortunately for us, plants will exhibit or express nutrient deficiency symptoms on their leaves or other plant parts just like they do when disease strikes.

The good thing is that we can adjust our style of management to suit what is discovered and quickly fix the problem encountered, the bad thing is that by the time the deficiency symptoms are expressed it is too late and some damage will be seen on the plant leaves.

Visually observable symptoms include stunted growth of roots, stems or leaves and chlorosis (yellowing) or necrosis (browning/death) of various organs.

Characteristic symptoms often help us fix the issue with little fuss. Luckily, most of the symptoms we see will be seen on the plants leaves. Root symptoms cannot be easily seen unless the plant is very carefully removed from the soil, washed and then studied!  For this reason root symptoms are lesser understood and described by the plant science community.

Expressions of deficiencies

Nitrogen (N) - Soils, especially sand based sports turf soils are more commonly deficient of nitrogen than any other element. The plant will be light green in colour, lower leaves yellow and drying to a light brown colour. Stunted or slow growth may be seen as N is needed in many essential plant compounds.

Phosphorus (P) - Second to Nitrogen, Phosphorus is the second most often limiting element in soils. The plant will be dark green (in contrast to those lacking N), often developing red and purple colours on the leaf and leaf margins. The plants and seedling plants will often be stunted in growth with maturity of young plants being delayed.

Potassium (K) - After nitrogen and phosphorus soils are usually most deficient in potassium. As a note, it is because of the importance of these three elements (N P K) that commercial fertilisers list the percentages of these on the bags as a comparison to others.

Sulfur (S) - As enough sulphate is present in most soils deficiencies of this mineral are quite rare. However, if deficient the plant will exhibit Paling of the older leaves (entire leaf) and tip scorch.

Magnesium (Mg) - Chlorosis of older leaves being the initial symptom, but in this case you will see interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between the veins or yellow stripes). Mg deficiency is almost never limiting to grass plant development.

Iron (Fe) - Pronounced interveinal chlorosis similar to Mg but this time the younger leaves will be affected first. Occasionally, it has been found that with Fe deficiencies the veins of the leaf will turn yellow also. In severe cases the younger leaves will develop necrotic (dead) spots.

Manganese (Mn) - Initial symptoms are similar to that of Iron and Magnesium with interveinal chlorosis but on either the youngest or oldest leaves followed by necrotic spots. When a deficiency of Fe, Mg or Mn is suspected the best course of action is to use a soil nutrient status test to confirm exactly which element is deficient.

Zinc (Zn) - Leaf margins can be distorted and stunted growth of the plant will be exhibited.

Copper (Cu) - Grasses are rarely deficient in this element as the plant needs so little of it. If there is a deficiency then the youngest leaves will exhibit a dark green colour and be twisted and/or otherwise misshapen.

Molybdenum (Mo) - Quite rare again, mid-stem and older leaves develop interveinal chlorosis, progressing to the younger leaves. The youngest leaves may be severely twisted and then die.

Boron (B) - Visual symptoms take a long time to develop as it is slow moving within the plant.  Deficiency symptoms develop around the disintegration of internal plant tissue - Soil analysis is needed to establish levels with this one!

What to do if a deficiency is discovered?

Once the plant has expressed a deficiency via it’s leaves or by a stunted growth pattern the best course of action would be to immediately have the soil tested for nutrient levels, and once you have the information you can tailor / adjust your feeding programme to provide the essential elements required.