Turf News is the perfect place for professionals working within the UK’s vibrant turf industry – keeping you up-to-date with topical news, latest market developments and much more across all areas of the industry.
NEWS ARTICLES

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden: Today at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re, in collaboration with Dr. Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade, unveils the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden. 

Today, 1 in 4 homes in the UK are at risk of flooding – not just by the coast and rivers, but in urban areas too. Flooding doesn’t just damage homes and gardens; it devastates lives, causing lasting financial and emotional strain. In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

From Roots to Resilience

The Flood Resilient Garden is designed to inspire and educate homeowners about the critical role their garden can play in flood defence. Incorporating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), native flood-tolerant plant species, and innovative water management techniques, the garden is a model for future landscaping under the threat of increasing extreme weather events due to climate change.

In a groundbreaking display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Flood Resilient Garden will intentionally flood to demonstrate its unique capabilities. This never-seen-before feature will illustrate how the garden adapts to changing water levels. Visitors will witness firsthand how the central swale becomes a lively stream, channelling rainwater into a feature pond where it can gradually soak away, while large water tanks double as ornamental ponds which store water for later use.

Leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin Joins the Cause

Adding to the excitement, leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin will be on hand to discuss the garden’s role in mitigating flood risks.

Laura Tobin Said:  “The Flood Resilient Garden shows that adapting to climate change can still be beautiful and homeowners don’t have to give up having a lovely garden to make it work hard against extreme weather. It’s about blending smart, sustainable choices with thoughtful design to protect our homes and communities”.

A Nation at Risk

The unveiling also shines a light on the latest insights from Flood Re, revealing a concerning lack of flood awareness amongst UK citizens.

Flood Re’s research shows that only 5% of people living in areas at high-risk of flooding could correctly identify their flood risk. Concerningly, 68% of people in high-risk flood areas incorrectly think their flood risk is low.

The research shows that despite Brits spending an average of £402 on their gardens over the past year, they are not taking the crucial steps they need to protect their homes and gardens from flooding.

Indeed, 90% of homeowners, rising to 93% in high and mid flood risk areas, haven’t taken any steps to make their homes and gardens more flood resilient. Despite the extreme weather conditions, this doesn’t look to be changing, with only 9% of homeowners planning to add flood resilience measures to their homes and gardens in the next year

Build Back Better

In the event of a flood, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme allows eligible customers with specific home insurers to receive up to £10,000 as part of a claim.

The amount is meant for home and garden improvements that go beyond basic repairs, focusing on enhancing the property’s resilience against future floods

The Flood Resilient Garden is not just a temporary exhibit. After the show, it will find a permanent home at Howbery Business Park, allowing the public to explore its features and learn about flood resilience year-round.

Flood Re is on hand to help you invest wisely in your garden to make it beautiful and resilient. Check out all the best tips and tricks to make your garden both beautiful and resilient here.

Flood Re CEO Andy Bord, said: “Gardens bring joy to so many of us but they also provide an important first line of defence to flooding. With this garden we’re hoping to inspire more people to think about their flood risk and get smart with their spending by considering the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and could also help reduce the physical destruction and psychological distress when a flood strikes. If flood resilient features and water storage capacity were to become a feature of most gardens in a neighbourhood, the positive combined effect would be enormous!”

Naomi Slade, Garden Designer, said: “People spend a huge amount of time and money on their gardens and floods can wreak havoc and cause a huge amount of disruption, heartache and expense. The principles showcased within our Flood Resilient Garden are impactful, practical and transferable, but crucially we’ve shown that making a garden more climate and flood-resilient does not have to be a compromise on either its form or function.”

Ed Barsley, The Environmental Design Studio, said: “With the increase in extreme weather events, heavy rainfall and flooding as well as drought, and even wildfires, many people are anxious. As individuals they can feel powerless to make a difference. But gardens are hugely powerful tools and the Flood Re: The Flood Resilient Garden sends a positive message of agency and hope, and it is packed with practical, achievable ideas and solutions to enable people, as we adapt to the climate crisis.”

For more information, interviews, or a guided tour of the Flood Resilient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please contact:

Headland Consultancy: Beth Kelly – bkelly@headlandconsultancy.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!: Team Sprayers is delighted to announce the manufacture and sale of its 20,000th sprayer. The Club 800 sprayer, a tractor mounted ground care sprayer, destined for Tractor Services CL Ltd in Jersey, made its way out of their Ely based factory on 10th May 2024, 43 years after the company was established.

Team Sprayers was established in 1981 by Robert (Bob) Hubbard following the closure of Dorman Sprayers. Seven of Dorman’s employees transferred across to Team bringing a combination of skills and knowledge, which were an essential starting block for the newly founded company. Leveraging their skills and knowledge, Team has worked hard to become a respected market leader in the production and manufacturing of its range of sprayers and applicators.

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

In 2024 Team Sprayers’ range includes more than 30 models which span the golf course & sports pitch, agriculture and de-icing markets. Each and every one of Team’s sprayers is made to order and is built to a high specification using the highest quality parts and components. Their focus is on accuracy, boom stability and strength. As each sprayer is built to order Team has the ability to build bespoke sprayers, exactly to their customers’ needs. Every sprayer comes with a range of advanced functions as standard with the choice of either manual or electric folding boom, a dual covered boom system or computerised auto spray rate controller, and GPS mapping.

Not only do Team build accurate sprayers that are made to last, being a family owned business, employing 24 members of staff allows Team to deliver a quality, friendly and dependable service to its customers. In 2024 Team is led by brothers Phil and Danny Hubbard, the sons of Bob who have worked for the business since 1995 and 1998 respectively.

On the sale of the 20,000th sprayer Danny Hubbard, Managing Director of Team Sprayers said, “We are incredibly proud to have manufactured and delivered our 20,000th sprayer. It is testament to both our sprayers’ build and our service quality that we have secured enough orders in the last 43 years to have reached such a great number and we would like to thank each and every customer for supporting us. We look forward to producing the next 20,000 to the high standard that our customers have come to expect from us.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel: Polaris UK is pleased to announce a new offer on the full-size RANGER UTV line-up: Any customer who demos a full-size diesel model receives a £1000 contribution towards their purchase*.

The Ride and Save offer – available now and running until 31st August 2024 – invites customers to experience the versatility and reliability of Polaris RANGER UTVs on a test ride. To qualify for this promotion, customers need only to visit their local authorised Polaris dealer and book in for a demo test ride of a RANGER Diesel.

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

Richard Coleby, National Sales Manager at Polaris UK said: “We know that seat time is crucial when making a well-informed purchasing decision. With our new demo offer, customers can be sure they have made the right choice with the added bonus of a discounted purchase price. This year sees our strongest RANGER lineup ever, so we hope this new retail offer will appeal to potential customers who want to experience this first-hand – regardless of whether they’re completely new to the brand or existing customers who are considering an upgrade.”

With over 20 years of RANGER DNA behind it, the 2024 Polaris RANGER line-up embodies unparalleled performance and durability. Continuously pushing the industry forward, the full-size RANGER range boasts class-leading towing and payload capabilities and with the introduction of the RANGER Diesel in 2019 – the result of two years of research and development, fuelled by direct customer feedback -, the RANGER line-up stands as a testament to Polaris’ commitment to cutting-edge technology.

RANGER DIESEL 

Durable, dependable and capable, the RANGER Diesel is the ultimate utility workhorse designed and engineered purely for the European markets. Boasting 24.8hp and 40.8 ft.lb of torque; a towing capacity of 1134kg; 730kg payload capacity and features including but not limited to Polaris’ On-Demand all-wheel drive, electric power steering and Active Descent Control, the RANGER DIESEL performs to the highest standards for years to come.

*Terms and conditions apply. For for full terms and conditions visit: www.polarisbritain.com/promtions.

For further information, please contact us or call the Polaris UK Press Office on +44 (0) 1525 270 100.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial: Last week, the horticulture community came together for a night of camaraderie and generosity at Party for Perennial, hosted at Core Bar in London and proudly sponsored by Core Landscape Products. The event saw industry supporters unite in support of Perennial.

Guests enjoyed the evening, showing their support by purchasing raffle tickets and pledging their ongoing commitment by Digging Deep for Perennial in 2024 through a number of fundraising activities.

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

Jamie Gault, Perennial’s Chief Executive, says: “Our community can always be relied upon to pull together to make a difference to people in horticulture, Party for Perennial is a great example of this. Thank you to our generous supporters for joining us on this fabulous fundraising evening.”

The event not only provided a chance for networking and enjoyment but also served as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for Perennial, which allows us to support individuals in horticulture and their families.

Manni Keates Managing Director of Core Landscape Products (pictured above) said: “A fantastic evening for a great cause, we’re pleased to support Perennial in all the vital work they do for our Industry.”

Katie Wood from VegTrug added: “Party for Perennial is a key networking event in the business calendar! A great night in London with the chance to catch up with so many industry friends, whilst also connecting with new contacts. All to support a great cause too.”

The success of Party for Perennial was further enhanced by the generosity of sponsors who donated raffle prizes, including:

• Joint membership for The Newt
• Yorkshire’s Finest Hamper – Mostrim UK
• A medium Veg trug – VegTrug Limited
• Burgon and Ball garden essentials kit
• Canterbury Cathedral family tour voucher
• A selection of tipples from Thatchers
• A 2024/25 season signed football short from Fulham FC
• A Perennial gift box with contributions from Bulldog

Perennial extends heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, donors, and attendees for their support.

Together, we reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact and providing assistance to those in need within the horticulture community.

On 4 October we look forward to welcoming even more supporters to our Dig Deep Fundraising Lunch at The Cumberland, London. This is the charity’s new, feel-good fundraising lunch, hosted by James Alexander – Sinclair, with special guest Alan Titchmarsh.

Let’s come together as a community for this end-of-season fundraising highlight and celebrate your fundraising efforts together with Perennial in what is the charity’s 185th year.

The ticket price of £120 includes “cheers to you” fizz on arrival and a celebratory three-course meal with wine. Buy your ticket today or a table of 10.

perennial.org.uk/lunch

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

BOLSTER® your turf against stress with Suståne

BOLSTER® your turf against stress with Suståne: After emerging from one of the wettest winters on record, many turf managers across the sporting spectrum are now catching-up with both the mechanical maintenance and nutritional needs of their playing surfaces.

To cope with this intensive intervention and/or periods of plant stress, Suståne’s BOLSTER® Liquid Biostimulant has proven to be one of the most effective growth supplements on the market – its balanced blend of ingredients minimising the impact of poor-quality soils, adverse temperatures, parasitic nematodes and drought.

BOLSTER® your turf against stress with Suståne

BOLSTER® your turf against stress with Suståne

Formulated with 5% Iron Chelate, 4% Humic Acid and 2% Seaweed Extract, BOLSTER® increases plant vigour in sub-optimal conditions by reducing the effect of stress factors. In extensive research and field trials conducted by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, BOLSTER® was found to significantly increase root mass and depth, accelerate chlorophyll production, improve moisture retention and reduce wilting. In addition, it boosted the plants natural tolerance to certain diseases and plant parasitic nematodes such as Root Knot and Lance nematode infected turfgrass, through the trial period conducted in Virginia.

BOLSTER® is suitable for applications on the golf course, winter sports pitches and other intensively managed turf areas and can be an effective partner to overseeding operations, with significant improvements to seedling and turf establishment noted as a result. It also contributes to optimised growth in low light conditions.

One club to discover the benefits of BOLSTER® Liquid are Brighton and Hove Golf Club, who explain that the biostimulant has become a staple in their greenkeeping arsenal. “We’ve used Suståne’s BOLSTER® Liquid here for the last seven years” explains Course Manager Jason Sarna. “It’s a great product for seeing us through high pressure periods, protecting the plant from abiotic stress caused by cultural practices, heat and drought stress and through the winter months when daylight hours are reduced.”

“We use the BOLSTER® Liquid as part of our root drench application mixed with either wetting agent or aminos, for increased soil and plant health. Since implementing BOLSTER® as part of our nutritional programme, we have noticed a definite increase in plant health and rooting, and the colour response after application is a fantastic added bonus!”

BOLSTER® is best applied monthly at a rate of 9.46L per Ha in 300-800L water depending on the application target area. It can be applied flexibly as part of a foliar spray mixed with PGR, or in a root drench spray mixed with a chosen wetting agent.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.