DLF Seeds a top 20 ‘Climate Friendly Company’

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DLF Seeds a top 20 ‘Climate Friendly Company’: DLF Seeds have been recognised as one of the top 20 most ‘Climate Friendly Companies’ of 2021 in a recent list compiled by European Seed Magazine.

Particular mention was given to DLF’s RadiMax facility in Denmark – the world’s largest open-field root screening facility – that is leading the way in the research and development of sustainable varieties to tackle one of the most pertinent climate threats, drought.

DLF Seeds a top 20 ‘Climate Friendly Company’

DLF Seeds a top 20 ‘Climate Friendly Company’

Years before the climate agenda hit the breeding companies, DLF took the bold move of assembling breeders and scientists from across the public and private sectors in the pursuit of advancing seed breeding to suit future climates. Through this consortium DLF built their RadiMax facility, which can test up to 600 plant lines simultaneously in four V-shaped pits, each equipped with a unique irrigation system designed to simulate specific conditions and, in turn, identify the deepest rooting varieties.

With more than five years of research now under their belts, DLF have been able to supply turf and amenity customers with varieties with verified deep rooting and drought stress tolerance. A deeper rooting plant is not only better placed to withstand extended periods without water, it delivers a stronger and more stable sward with lower reliance on inputs. This is because the significant root growth enables the grass to better utilise the water and nutrients naturally found in the soil profile, improving overall nutrient and Nitrogen efficiency.

Of specific interest to the amenity market is the notable developments with key Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass species which have led to the introduction of more sustainable and drought tolerant mixtures such as Johnsons Sports Seed J Fescue mix for golf. The unique combination of cultivars in this 100% fine fescue blend have been chosen specifically to provide high drought and salt tolerance, resistance to disease and a sward that requires lower inputs of water and fertilisers.

The trials at RadiMax also demonstrated how DLF’s 4turf® tetraploid perennial ryegrass roots faster and deeper when compared to traditional diploid ryegrass. Its rapid root growth and larger root mass makes for a more resilient plant, suited to a wide range of sports turf applications. 4turf® varieties are incorporated into a number of Johnsons mixtures, including the new Johnson’s J Premier 4Turf, combining 4turf® tetraploids with traditional perennial ryegrass to create the ultimate winter sport renovation mixture.

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Anti-allergy gardening

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Anti-allergy gardening: With data showing hay fever affects 49% of people in the UK, experts urge sufferers to create an anti-allergy garden ahead of summer.

Experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk provide top tips for combatting those pesky symptoms in the garden this summer.

Anti-allergy gardening

Anti-allergy gardening

Summer begins on June 21, bringing BBQs, sunbathing and time spent gardening. For many, this means months of suffering the symptoms of hay fever.

Tips including planting sneeze-free blooms, avoiding caffeine, getting rid of weeds and staying out of the garden in the morning are said to help those with the worst symptoms.

A spokesman for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “There is nothing better than spending time in the great outdoors in the summer months, with many of us running to our gardens when we get a little bit of sunshine!

“But the warmer weather can bring dread to those who suffer badly with hay fever symptoms, which can develop at any age and cause very annoying symptoms. We are urging those who love their gardens to consider anti-allergy gardening ahead of the peak summer months.”

GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk’s top tips are below:

Mowing the grass

Although this task may seem like a hay fever sufferer’s worst nightmare, keeping your grass mowed will help prevent grasses from flowering. This will help curb one of the biggest allergy triggers and helpless pollen to be released into the air. Whilst mowing, pop on a face covering or mask.

Avoid caffeine

Caffeine is naturally high in histamines, a chemical released by our immune systems when our body perceives something as being harmful, which can worsen hay fever symptoms.

Prevent weeds

Weeds such as creeping thistle, dandelions and ragwort have a bad reputation for causing hay fever symptoms. Because of this, it is best to stay on top of weeding and remove the sulpits before they can flower.

Avoid the garden

Keep an eye on the pollen count and avoid your garden on days where it is exceptionally high. If the temptation of the sunshine is too much to bear, even on high pollen count days, ensure any time outside is spent wearing gloves and change your clothes as soon as you enter your house to limit the spread of pollen.

Low allergy planting

Sneeze-free blooms such as conifer, petunias, magnolias and hardy fuschias can all add beauty and colour to your gardens without causing lots of pollen in the air. When choosing plants for your garden, stick to insect-pollinated flowers where possible, as their pollen is heavy and falls to the ground, whereas wind-pollinated flowers cause much more pollen to float around in the air.

Sprinkle your garden 

Some plants stop shedding pollen in wet conditions, so sprinkling your garden with a hose or sprinkler can help lay some of the pollen ahead of an afternoon of gardening or sunbathing.

Timing is everything

Pollen count tends to be at its lowest in the afternoon, so ensure you are only venturing out for more extended periods. Longer gardening days should also be limited to more relaxed, cloudier days.

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Collier FQAs pass annual assessment

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Collier FQAs pass annual assessment: All of the Collier Turf Care Ltd FACTS (Fertiliser Advisor Certificate & Training Scheme) Qualified Advisors (FQA) have once again successfully passed the fertiliser annual assessment examination.

Along with their BASIS qualification and membership of the BASIS Professional Register, this ensures that they are fully up to date to offer sound professional advice and support on both chemicals and fertilisers for the turf and amenity industry. This also entitles them to remain on the register of FACTS Qualified Advisors.

Collier FQAs pass annual assessment

Collier FQAs pass annual assessment

Andrew Harding, Managing Director of Collier Turf Care Ltd said, “We are committed to ensuring that our staff are fully trained and competent so that we can deliver the very best advice and service to our customers. As the leading technical turf care company, we fully endorse the principles of professional qualifications and raising the standards throughout the amenity industry.”

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Win big with the Great British Garden Festival

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Win big with the Great British Garden Festival: If you’re visiting RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, The Great British Garden Festival has an incredible prize on offer! Simply sign up to join as a member while you’re at the show and you will automatically be entered into a draw to win £1,000 worth of garden products kindly supplied by their Partners! 

Membership costs just £10 and gets you all sorts of exclusive access to savings on products as well as entry into gardens and events all year round.

Win big with the Great British Garden Festival

Win big with the Great British Garden Festival

Love plants? Love gardening? Love days out? The Great British Garden Festival is for you! Join as a member and save on all things gardening!

With the help of fellow green fingered friends, The Great British Garden Festival has created a searchable hub for you to find out about all of the amazing gardens and events that are right on your doorstep! All around the nation there are thousands of beautiful gardens, hidden gems and incredible events. All you need to do is check The Great British Garden Festival website to see thousands of places to go and products that you can save on.

The Great British Garden Festival is proud to have some amazing ambassadors that advocate their mission to support gardeners like you. With support from the RHS, Kew, Historic England, Historic Houses, Visit Britain and the National Garden Scheme why not get behind the Festival too? Their Ambassadors personify the very best in their respective fields, coming from all backgrounds and working lives, they represent the diverse nature of the nation’s love for gardens and gardening including famous faces from TV like Gemma Collins, Lee Burkhill, Flo Headlam, Mark Lane and Simon Lycett.

Enthusiasm continues to flood in from all over and their list of Partners is growing daily, adding new places that you can visit and new products that you can save on. With so many different offers available, there really is something for everyone. Encourage each other to get out and about and enjoy the green spaces.

Let’s make the world a little greener together!

Visit the Great British Garden Festival website at www.GreatBritishGardenFestival.org.uk to find out more and sign up to claim your deals!

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