Lawn care in June? Don’t sweat it!

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Lawn care in June? Don’t sweat it!: …or should we be saying don’t water it?

With the cost of living at an all time high and our summers getting hotter and hotter, those who love their lawns could be in for a nail biting ride as they see their beautiful sea of green go a rusty looking brown!

Lawn care in June? Don't sweat it!

Lawn care in June? Don’t sweat it!

But is it really necessary to water our gardens? If so how much and when? The Lawn Association team aim to put your mind at rest and discuss once and for all the ins and outs of your grass and it’s watering needs.

A statement which is undoubtedly true is that grass is one of the most resilient plants on the planet, it has been designed by that toughest of mother’s, nature, to survive much more than our UK hot summers throw at us.

Watering
Prolonged periods of hot weather may not leave your lawn looking pretty, but it WILL survive in the long run. The counter the effects of watering in a really hot summer, are that it would be expensive and in actual fact it would be healthier for you and the planet if you just leave nature to do it’s work. Eventually the natural rains will come along and bring the soil levels back normal.
If you must water your lawn, apply the water, to ensure the plant gets the best use out of it, in the evening (after 8pm), then the grass has all night to use the water more efficiently.

All this being said, there are some tips to allow you to work WITH nature to get your lawn back to a healthy green fast… and your soil will need help!

Soil
The soil is the real issue here, not the grass. Soil shrinks under very hot conditions and the air is sucked out. This is why aeration is so important. Once the summer heat has passed and you are looking for autumn jobs to do, use a hollow-tine aerating fork or machine (NOT a garden fork) to give your lawn exactly what it needs. These aeration products remove cores of soil without further compressing what’s left, and this creates those essential small channels for improved root development, water percolation and nutrition longevity.

The principles of good, sustainable modern lawn care, are those working with, not against nature. By doing this you will achieve the lawn that is perfect for you

Our core mission at the Lawn Association is to make accurate lawn care information readily available via our website and through our Free Membership Scheme for gardening enthusiasts. Go to the @LawnAssociation Facebook page to join the Lawn Enthusiasts Group, and get free association membership via the website, www.lawnassociation.org.uk

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GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

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GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds: After seeing the machine at SALTEX 2021, South Wales Sports Grounds organised for a demonstration model of the Infiller to be shipped over from GKB HQ on the basis that if they were impressed with it, they’d keep it… and they did!

Adding to a vast and varied fleet of equipment for the construction and maintenance of both natural and artificial surfaces, the GKB Infiller has dramatically improved the speed of infill spreading, whilst retaining the quality of finish.

GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) undertake contracts for a range of clients from local authorities to schools and independent sports clubs, everywhere between West Wales and Gloucester. Maintenance Manager Matt Dennison explains how they decided to take a look at the GKB Infiller, after noticing their previous machine was slowing down the process of dispensing and topping-up infill.

“We’re very particular about how we install an artificial/3G pitch, using the best tools and techniques to produce the best results” explains Matt. “We wanted a machine that was simpler to use and that would ultimately make the job quicker and more efficient. As soon as we received the Infiller in December, from our local dealer Hopkins Machinery, it was evident straight away that it ticked all the boxes.”

Suited to all types of infill material, the Infiller provides a quick and accurate spreading solution. The metering valve can be adjusted manually or hydraulically to suit the depth and type of infill required. The specification is completed by a large 3m3 hopper. “One big key point for us is that you can rotate the seat to spread the sand in front of the wheels of travel, ensuring the infill gets down into the fibres before they’re flattened.”

Along with sand, Matt intends to use rubber in the Infiller and indicates that the machine and the team have a busy synthetic season ahead. “So far, it’s done two artificial constructions and is now about to do another.” He concludes, “Because it’s so easy to operate, we’ve now got a number of our operatives trained up with it, who all can’t wait to benefit from the speed and accuracy we can now achieve in getting the job done.”

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Barrus to launch new products at Glee

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Barrus to launch new products at Glee: Barrus will be unveiling a range of over 60 new and exciting products under brands Town & Country, Wilkinson Sword, WOLF-Garten, and Velcro® at this year’s Glee (28-30 June, NEC Birmingham) on stand 20D40-E41.

The Barrus stand will showcase the product innovation and development that continues to take place across the brands, as it enters new areas of the industry and develops engaging customer solutions.

Barrus to launch new products at Glee

Barrus to launch new products at Glee

The unique and interactive stand will invite visitors to explore the vast range through a variety of different zones, including a greenhouse which takes centre stage on the stand, a planting and propagation area, and a Christmas section, to help promote its innovative products and displays, and support the ongoing movement towards sustainable living.

To meet this growing interest in grow your own, and following the successful launch of its Tiered Planters, Town & Country will be showcasing a new variety of products to aid growing and contemporary planting displays. These include a range of planters and troughs that are made from 100% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. They are available in both contemporary and beehive shapes and sizes ranging from 6L to 66L, to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Buyers interested in propagation will be spoilt for choice, with new Grow Bag & Utility Trays, Potting Trays, a Garden Sieve and Electric Greenhouse Heaters on display – a first for the brand. Also new for Town & Country is a range of brooms, brushes, and indoor and outdoor matts. Alongside this will be a new innovative grab rake that helps to clear and collect with one tool for ease and efficiency.

Town & Country will also be showcasing an eye-catching display of the exciting Pluma range, which takes inspiration from feathers to decorate Cloggies, the Lux-Fit Gloves and the Memory Foam Kneeler and a new addition to the range, the Double-Wide Kneeler.

The stand will also be an opportunity for buyers to see first-hand the ever-popular Ultralight range from Wilkinson Sword. Its newly developed long reach pruner will be a highlight, allowing longer productivity and making pruning those awkward areas easier by using a rotating body and cutting head. Also on the stand will be a new collection of pruner gift sets.

WOLF-Garten will be showcasing its multi-change range as it celebrates its 100th year, and two new hedge shears – Box Tree Shears for shaping and Traditional Hedge Shears.

The Velcro® brand will be showing off its new range of garage and storage solutions, including ties, straps and fasteners, to keep these often cluttered areas neat, tidy and organised.

Mark Hewett, divisional sales manager, commented: ‘We’re excited to speak to visitors to Glee about these exciting innovations and developments for the Barrus brands. Following the success of our Tiered Planters, we’re looking forward to further exploring this new sector of the gardening world with Town & Country, having long been established in the footwear and gloves segment.’

Full details of all new product ranges will be available on the stand (20D40-E41).

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