MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

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MM11 Seed Sparks Revival: King George V Crown Green Bowling Club, one of the Midlands’ top teams, have found new life at their third home in a decade. After a series of relocations, the club has finally settled at the Selly Park Tavern in Birmingham, transforming an abandoned and overgrown bowling green into a superior playing surface, largely due to the expertise of Mark Allen, Technical Sales Manager at Agrovista Amenity, and the exceptional performance of MM11 grass seed.

The club’s journey to Selly Park Tavern followed a run of bad luck. Initially founded at the King George V pub, the club was forced to move to the West Midlands Police Sports Ground ten years ago. Yet, after a decade at the Edgbaston site, were recently ordered to vacate again to make room for more police activities.

MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

Mark Allen recounted, “Luckily, a mile down the road, there was another green at the back of another pub, which was disused. The team that played there had folded five years prior, leaving the green overgrown.”

The task of rejuvenating this neglected venue was daunting. “When I first saw it in July 2023, it was in no condition for bowls—certainly not playable,” Mark explained. “We decided the easiest way was to start again.”

The transformation began on 1st September with an intensive renovation process. The green was cut back, vertidrained, deep scarified, heavily top dressed and overseeded with MM11 grass seed. “The seeding coincided with a 30-degree heatwave, which was ideal for germination. By September 12th, we were already making the first cut,” Mark described. “From then on, it just got better and better.”

Mike Pritchard, the club’s greenkeeper for over 25 years, praised the transformation. “The change has been unbelievable,” he said. “Mark’s plan helped us get everything prepared for the start of September.  By January, the stubborn areas were recovered, and we had managed to get grass cover all over.”

Mike attributed much of the success to the MM11 seed, which is a traditional fescue/bent mix that germinates quickly and provides excellent disease resistance.

The revival of the green was a collaborative effort. Birmingham Bowls contractor, Andy Hartwell undertook the initial renovation and club members, including Geoff Bagnall, dedicated countless hours to the project. “Without Geoff’s help, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Mike emphasised. “Everyone’s put a lot of free time into it.”

The transformation has been particularly special for Mike, given his deep-rooted history and family involvement with the club. “The club has been a massive part of my family over the years,” Mike shared. “It started with my father, who dragged me along in the early sixties. As soon as I turned 11, I started playing. Then I met my wife, got her involved, and now all three of my sons and even my grandson are part of it.” This personal connection made the successful renovation of the green at Selly Park Tavern even more meaningful for Mike.

Mark Allen’s extensive experience with MM grass seed mixtures, particularly MM11, proved invaluable. “I’ve used MM11 on countless bowling greens, and it always performs well,” Mark said. “The seed mix is disease-tolerant and produces a fine, dense sward ideal for bowls.”

Working closely with Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand Manager at DLF UK, and receiving continuous support from Agrovista Amenity, the club has set a new standard for bowling greens. “The green plays beautifully, and the bowlers love the fast speed,” Mark added. “What could have been a disastrous situation has turned out really well. Everyone at the club is fully invested, and so far, so good—they seem really happy.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

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

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Birkdale’s new light grey urban slatted panel

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Birkdale’s new light grey urban slatted panel: Birkdale, the UK’s leading fencing and gate accessories manufacturer, has added a new colour to its DuraPost® URBAN Slatted Composite Panel range. Developed in response to customer demand – the new Light Grey Panel offers a contemporary fencing solution that mimics the appearance of timber without any of the maintenance requirements.

Already available in Natural, Charcoal and Brown, the new Light Grey DuraPost® URBAN Slatted Panel consists of six composite boards and two horizontal u-shaped rails at the top and base of the panel. The boards are manufactured using 60 to 70% recycled materials including a combination of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and rice husks – a natural bi-product from the rice industry. This stable material will not warp or degrade over time, unlike timber, and it does not need to be painted or treated.

Furthermore, the panels have been tested to EN 1794-1-2018 and, to maximise longevity, the rails are made from galvanised steel – a strong, light and highly durable material – which is then nano-coated and powder coated for ultimate weather protection. As a result, Birkdale can guarantee its DuraPost® URBAN Slatted Panels for up to 15 years.

What’s more, the versatile panels can be used either horizontally or vertically. When paired with DuraPost® steel fence posts, a striking and contemporary solution can be achieved that will continue to look good long after traditional timber and concrete fencing systems have degraded.

John Abernethie, CEO at Birkdale, commented: “We are delighted to expand our stylish DuraPost® URBAN Slatted Panel range to provide even greater design flexibility. We highly value customer feedback and are always looking to improve and evolve our fencing range to ensure that we offer everything required to build a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing fencing solution.”

To learn more about the URBAN Slatted Panel and the wider DuraPost® range, please visit: www.birkdalesales.com.

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Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

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Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword: In the summer, gardens are at their most beautiful, but it is also when they require the most attention.

Maintaining a vibrant and healthy garden during the hottest months of the year can be a fulfilling but challenging task and the right tools can make all the difference. Wilkinson Sword, a brand renowned for its precision and quality gardening tools, offers a range of products to help gardeners handle summer tasks with ease.

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

  1. Deadhead to encourage more blooms

Deadheading is a vital task for summer gardens. By removing faded flowers, you can stimulate your plants to produce more blooms instead of setting seed. This not only prolongs the flowering period but also keeps your garden looking neat.

Look for flowers that are wilting or have brown petals and use quality tools to make sharp, clean, and accurate cuts. The Wilkinson Sword Deadheading Snips are light, pocket-sized snips which make quick work of deadheading and are ideal for precise trimming, cutting herbs, flower collecting and arranging.

Trim off the faded flowers just above the first set of healthy leaves or buds being careful not to disturb the rest of the plant. Make deadheading a weekly routine to keep your plants blooming continuously. Summer heat can be harsh on your garden, making proper watering crucial. Ensure your plants receive enough water after deadheading, especially during dry spells.

  1. Prune to keep plants healthy

Summer is also the perfect time to trim and prune shrubs, climbing plants and perennials. Trimming helps in shaping the plants and promoting healthy regrowth by removing dead or diseased branches.

Identify areas for trimming such as overgrown stems or bushy sections. Use Wilkinson Sword’s Bypass Pruners to carefully cut lush new growth and unruly stems. The pruners feature precise and durable carbon blades and a soft grip handle, perfect for clean, comfortable cutting. Trim back overgrowth and shape the plants strategically to ensure better air circulation and sunlight penetration.

  1. Trim hedges to keep the garden tidy

Trimming hedges is an essential task to keep your garden looking tidy and well-maintained. Regular trimming not only shapes the hedges to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space but also promotes healthy growth by removing dead or diseased branches. It prevents hedges from becoming overgrown and disorderly, which can overshadow other plants and reduce sunlight penetration.

Use Wilkinson Sword’s Telescopic Hedge Shears to cut and trim tall and difficult to reach hedges with ease. The lightweight aluminium handles can be independently adjusted through four stages to ensure a safe and comfortable cutting position and the non-stick coated blade provides a defined, crisp cut.

  1. Weed to keep garden bed’s looking pristine

Weeds can quickly overrun your garden, competing with your plants for nutrients and water. Regular weeding is crucial to maintain a healthy garden.

Wilkinson Sword’s Carbon Steel Dutch Hoe makes it simple to remove weeds without disturbing your plants. Expertly crafted from high-quality carbon steel, the tool is reinforced in key areas for maximum strength and durability. The smooth, natural weatherproofed wooden handle provides a comfortable grip, while the strong, traditional carbon steel head removes weeds with ease. It’s best to weed straight after rainfall as the soil is softer, making it easier to pull weeds out by the roots.

To find out more about Wilkinson Sword and to explore the product range visit www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk.

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STIHL to present new products at APF

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STIHL to present new products at APF: STIHL will showcase a range of its new products at this years’ APF Exhibition, the UK’s largest dedicated forestry, woodland and arboriculture trade show, between 19th – 21st September 2024. 

Taking place at the Ragley Estate, Warwickshire, STIHL will be presenting a wide range of tools including the new MS 400.1 forestry chainsaw and STIHL’s first professional battery-powered pruner – the GTA 40. Both new models will be launching in 2025.

STIHL to present new products at APF

STIHL to present new products at APF

Visitors to the STIHL stand will get the chance to see the new MS 400.1 in action at STIHLs extensive demonstration plot. Despite the similarity in model name, the MS 400.1 has been completely re-developed, building on the strengths of the original MS 400 and taking it to the next level.

The MS 400.1 weighs in at just 5.5 kg, 300 g less than the MS 400, offering professionals the best power-to-weight ratio of any professional petrol chainsaw on the market. With an impressive power output of 3.9kW, the MS 400.1 is optimised for long days in the forest, felling and processing larger trees.

In addition, STIHL will be presenting its first professional battery-powered pruner, specifically designed for tree care. The GTA 40 combines low weight and compact design with excellent cutting performance, resulting in a machine that excels at pruning on the ground, as well as maintenance and corrective pruning by trained climbing arborists.

Complete with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low friction sprocket nose, and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco Micro 3 saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures high cutting performance and a smooth cutting result.

The STIHL team will be on stand 650 from 9am to 6pm throughout the duration of the event for product demonstrations, advice and guidance on all STIHL machines.

For more information, please visit www.stihl.co.uk

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle: Perennial – the charity who supports those who work in horticulture – is excited to invite you and your team to participate in a thrilling firewalk fundraiser on 18 October 2024. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hever Castle, this unforgettable experience will challenge your team’s courage and strengthen your commitment to supporting the horticultural community.

The event starts at 3:00pm, allowing participants to experience the serene beauty of Hever Castle’s grounds before facing the flames.

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

With expert firewalk instructors on hand to provide comprehensive training, you can be confident that your team will be fully prepared to walk across hot coals and blaze a trail for a good cause.

By registering for £25 per person, with a fundraising target of £150, your business will directly contribute to Perennial’s essential services, which include health and financial wellbeing and training and development programmes for individuals in the horticultural industry.

For over 185 years, Perennial has been a reliable safety net for horticulturists in need. They understand the pressures of the job and are here to help when it matters most. Now, more than ever, it’s vital for both organisations and individuals in our sector to support Perennial. By doing so, we can ensure that our industry brothers and sisters are taken care of, no matter what challenges they face.

Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle shares his enthusiasm “As a long-time supporter of the fantastic charity Perennial, I literally can’t wait to get my boots off and walk across hot coals for them at Hever Castle on the 18 October! We think it will be a really wonderful (and unforgettable) experience and would love as many of our horticultural friends as possible to join us on the day and raise lots of funds for a charity very close to my heart.”

“We are delighted to host our second firewalk at such a prestigious and historic location,” says Eleanor Steele, Community Fundraiser at Perennial “The Firewalk is not just about the thrill of the challenge; it’s about coming together as a community to support those who nurture the landscapes and gardens we all cherish. We encourage everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening that promises to inspire and make a real difference.”

Nathan Day, from Plan & Plant, who took part in Perennial’s 2023 firewalk shared his experience “Being able to challenge ourselves and prove that we can tackle anything was great, but to connect with like-minded peers was a lovely reminder that we are part of a wider endearing community. If you have the time or enthusiasm to help others, we highly recommend signing up for their next challenge!”

For more information and to register your business for this unforgettable experience, visit perennial.org.uk/firewalk. Let’s walk together for a brighter future in horticulture.

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