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Aspen delivers less downtime and lower costs

Aspen delivers less downtime and lower costs

Aspen delivers less downtime and lower costs

Landscaping and grounds maintenance companies know all too well that every machinery breakdown means lost time, delayed jobs and unnecessary cost. For Mansfield-based Weedfree Landscapes, those challenges became a thing of the past when the company switched to Aspen Fuel – a partnership borne from a conversation at SALTEX which has now entered its eighth year.

Aspen delivers less downtime and lower costs

Aspen delivers less downtime and lower costs

Founded in 1992, Weedfree Landscapes has evolved from private garden and landscaping projects into a full-service ground’s maintenance operation – delivering soft landscaping, turfing, planting, grass cutting and line marking for customers across Mansfield, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Lincoln, Leicester and Nottingham. With a team of nine operative working across a wide area, reliability with their equipment is mission critical as Office Manager Shelley Sharp explains.

“Prior to discovering Aspen, we would frequently see tools in the workshop suffering with the side effects of inconsistent fuel mixing, operator error and just general, excessive wear. Our Managing Director got into conversation with Aspen during a trip to SALTEX in 2018 and after an initial trial, it’s all we’ve used in both our 2 and 4-stroke equipment ever since.”

“It’s a phenomenal product. The health & safety benefits are of course evident for the operators, but the biggest difference has been for our mechanics who simply don’t have to deal with the breakdowns we used to” she says.

Without most of the hazardous hydrocarbons found in traditional pump fuel, Aspen alkylate petrol burns significantly cleaner delivering multiple benefits for professional users of petrol-powered outdoor power equipment. While often viewed as a premium fuel, Weedfree has found the overall economics work in their favour. “When you actually look at it, not having to make trips to the forecourt and not having to buy two-stroke oil separately as well as the reduced maintenance bills, it’s actually a decision that has saved us money.”

Together with engine performance and the convenience of having Aspen cans safely delivered and stored on site, Shelley also notes the benefits of Aspen for their environmental credentials. “Exhaust emissions are cleaner and there aren’t the harsh petrol fumes for the operators or those in the vicinity of the works. It forms part of our COSHH and risk assessments and is something that our customers notice and appreciate.”

Shelley concludes, “The combination of greater reliability, lower maintenance costs and simpler day-to-day operations means that Aspen is a decision that’s set to stay.”

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MM Seed at the DLF Stand at GroundsFest

MM Seed at the DLF Stand at GroundsFest

MM Seed at the DLF Stand at GroundsFest

The DLF stand at GroundsFest will highlight a wide range of sustainable solutions from the world’s largest grass seed breeder, featuring products from the MM, Designer Seed brands.

MM Seed at the DLF Stand at GroundsFest

MM Seed at the DLF Stand at GroundsFest

Alongside leading cultivars for sports and amenity turf, stand thirty will also display an array of colour with demonstration planters from the popular Pro Flora and Colour Boost wildflower ranges.

As autumn renovation programmes begin, DLF’s 4turf® tetraploid technology will be a key focus on the stand.

Key benefits of 4turf®:

  • Larger, more vigorous seeds support rapid germination and establishment, even in cooler conditions.
  • Improved resilience helps turf withstand cold, drought and salt stress.
  • Strong disease resistance, backed by excellent European trial results against red thread, brown patch, fusarium and grey leaf spot.
  • Enhanced sward quality makes it particularly effective for cooler-season overseeding.

Together, these benefits help deliver high-quality playing surfaces while reducing input and labour costs.

4turf® is included in several popular autumn mixtures for sports turf, such as MM Tetrasport.

Another key focus will be wildflowers and their growing importance in land and amenity turf management. They provide essential food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife. DLF’s Pro Flora native-origin wildflower range includes 17 formulations, each designed to enhance colour, biodiversity and interest across a wide variety of environments.

For a striking display, visitors may consider mixtures from the Colour Boost collection, which combines both wildflower and garden flowering species that provide a bright display of colour that will also attract pollinators and insects.

The DLF technical team will be available throughout the two-day event on Stand 30 in Hall1 to offer technical advice and answer questions.

Visit the new and improved MM Seed website at www.mm-seeds.co.uk

You can also follow the company on X: @MM_Seed.

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GroundsFest Academy Delivers Another Successful Integrated Weed Event

GroundsFest Academy Delivers Another Successful Integrated Weed Event

GroundsFest Academy Delivers Another Successful Integrated Weed Event

GroundsFest Academy recently welcomed a large number of grounds professionals, students and volunteers to Loughborough Grammar School’s Quorn Playing Fields for a highly successful CPD-accredited Integrated Weed Management event.

GroundsFest Academy Delivers Another Successful Integrated Weed Event

GroundsFest Academy Delivers Another Successful Integrated Weed Event

The free one-day event brought together industry experts, manufacturers and training providers to explore the latest developments in integrated weed management, focusing on best practice, funding opportunities, practical solutions and alternatives to traditional chemical control.

The day opened with an introduction to integrated weed management from Sean Faulkner of Kersten UK, before delegates heard about funding opportunities available to organisations looking to adopt more sustainable weed management practices.

Dave Moore from Block Blitz then delivered an insightful session on hard surface cleaning and protection, highlighting the important role preventative maintenance plays in reducing weed growth and improving surface longevity.

Following a networking break, attendees headed outdoors for a series of live demonstrations, where they saw the latest equipment and techniques in action. The practical sessions gave delegates the opportunity to ask questions, compare approaches and gain first-hand experience of equipment designed to support integrated weed management strategies.

The afternoon programme continued with Ed Stannard from Parks for London, who introduced delegates to the Good Parks Report and the organisation’s Integrated Weed Management Guide, before Dave Sayers and Laura Evans from Lantra outlined the training opportunities available through Lantra’s dedicated Integrated Weed Management course.

Delegates also enjoyed a facilities tour before the day concluded with a recap of the key learning points and the presentation of CPD certificates.

The event received excellent feedback from attendees, with many praising the balance of expert presentations, practical demonstrations and networking opportunities.

Reflecting on the day, GroundsFest Academy Director Bradley Tennant said: “Integrated weed management is evolving rapidly, and events like this give attendees the opportunity to learn from experts, see practical solutions in action and take away knowledge they can implement straight away.

“I’d like to thank all of our partners for sharing their expertise and helping to make the day such a success. I’d also like to extend our sincere thanks to Loughborough Grammar School for hosting us and providing excellent facilities for both the presentations and practical demonstrations. Their support played a key role in delivering another successful GroundsFest Academy event.”

With demand continuing to grow for practical, hands-on learning opportunities, the success of the Integrated Weed Management event further demonstrates GroundsFest Academy’s role in delivering education that addresses the real challenges facing today’s issues.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Discover the latest mowing innovations from Trimax at GroundsFest

Discover the latest mowing innovations from Trimax at GroundsFest

Discover the latest mowing innovations from Trimax at GroundsFest

Visit Trimax on Stand RB9 at GroundsFest 2026 and discover how our range of high-performance mowing solutions can help grounds professionals achieve outstanding results with exceptional reliability, durability and reduced maintenance requirements.

Discover the latest mowing innovations from Trimax at GroundsFest

Discover the latest mowing innovations from Trimax at GroundsFest

Making its UK debut, the all-new FlailDek S4 delivers enhanced flail mowing performance and versatility, with simplified maintenance designed to reduce downtime. Also on display will be a selection of Trimax’s leading flail and rotary mowing solutions, including the new Pegasus OptiAdjust, which features instant height-of-cut adjustment technology so operators can make quick, precise changes directly from the tractor cab. Visitors can also see the Snake S3, ProCut S5 and Striker, each engineered to deliver outstanding cut quality, productivity and dependable performance across a wide range of applications.

Whether you’re maintaining golf courses, sports grounds, parks, commercial landscapes or large-scale amenity areas, Trimax has a mowing solution to suit your application.  The Trimax team will be happy to discuss your mowing requirements and demonstrate how our innovative solutions can help you work smarter, improve efficiency and maximise productivity.

Visit us at Stand RB9 to see the latest developments from Trimax and experience the difference of world-leading mowing technology.

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See Mansfield Sand’s Proven Sports Turf Solutions at GroundsFest

See Mansfield Sand’s Proven Sports Turf Solutions at GroundsFest

See Mansfield Sand’s Proven Sports Turf Solutions at GroundsFest

Visit Mansfield Sand on stand OSA260 at GroundsFest 2026, taking place on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, and discover a comprehensive range of premium sand-based solutions designed for the sports turf industry.

See Mansfield Sand’s Proven Sports Turf Solutions at GroundsFest

See Mansfield Sand’s Proven Sports Turf Solutions at GroundsFest

With more than 180 years of expertise, Mansfield Sand has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high-quality silica sand products. Its solutions are trusted by elite sports stadiums, championship golf courses, professional training facilities and equestrian venues, delivering reliable performance where it matters most.

Throughout the event, the Mansfield Sand team will be available to discuss the company’s specialist products and how they can help improve the construction, renovation and long-term performance of natural turf surfaces.

Featured products will include:

Reinforced Rootzones

Developed for high-performance natural turf, these rootzones enhance strength, drainage and surface stability while maintaining consistent playing conditions. Options include:

  • Fibre Reinforced Rootzone – polypropylene fibre-reinforced for increased durability
  • Fibrelastic Rootzone – combines polypropylene and Elastane fibres for added flexibility and recovery
  • Fibresand – ideal for pitches affected by heavy winter wear

Sand Soil Rootzones

Manufactured using premium screened topsoil and Mansil 40 Silica Sand, these blends provide an excellent foundation for both new construction and renovation projects.

Sand Compost Rootzones

A carefully balanced combination of sand and organic matter, designed to improve moisture retention, nutrient availability and drought resilience.

Top Dressing

Produced using Mansfield Sand’s own sterilised silica sand and high-quality soils, these stone-free top dressings are suitable for fine turf applications, with bespoke blends available to meet specific requirements.

Mansil Silica Sand Sports Range

Sourced from the company’s Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, the Mansil range is widely used across golf courses, bowling greens, winter sports pitches and a variety of amenity sports surfaces.

Whether you’re planning a new sports turf project or looking to improve existing playing surfaces, be sure to visit stand OSA260 and speak with the Mansfield Sand team at GroundsFest 2026.

For more information, visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk, follow them on X at @MansfieldSand, or connect on Facebook and Instagram at Mansfield Sand Sport Surfaces.

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