GroundsFest visitor registration opens

/in , /by

GroundsFest visitor registration opens: Visitor registration for GroundsFest 2023 is now officially open at groundsfest.com

Taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September, GroundsFest is set to be the annual FREE must-attend event for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, local authorities, estate managers and contractors.

GroundsFest visitor registration opens

GroundsFest visitor registration opens

The two-day event will feature hundreds of brands including some of the biggest names in groundscare. From apprentice to management, GroundsFest will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very latest industry trends and innovations, see a wide range of products in action, enhance their education, and participate in hands-on, Lantra approved training sessions.

Attendees can expect features such as:

Outdoor demonstrations – visitors will get to see machinery in action on large outdoor areas.

Indoor zones – a variety of exhibitor stands, catering outlets and seminar theatres.

Retail Area – a wide range of products, tools, clothing, and accessories at a discounted rate. The largest ever seen at a groundscare event.

Practical training sessions – Lantra approved hands-on training on a wide range of equipment from qualified instructors.

Education programme – educational seminars delivered by top speakers and industry experts.

The Landscaping Zone – an entire hall dedicated to those involved in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor environments in the landscaping sector.

The Play Zone – an outdoor area for all those involved in the selection, purchase, upkeep, and replacement of children’s play provision.

Festival – after an action-packed day, unwind and continue networking with live music and delicious street food.

In addition to the limitless opportunities and event features, Stoneleigh Park has FREE on-site parking and FREE shuttle buses will be available after the festival to take attendees back to their accommodation in Kenilworth, Leamington Spa and Coventry.

There will also be a dedicated area for camping, which should be pre-booked in advance prior to arrival. More information on staying in the camping area is available on the GroundsFest website.

Registration is accessible through the GroundsFest website and visitors can simply bring their email confirmation (on a phone or a printed copy to the registration desk) which will be located at the show entrance.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

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.

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again

/in , /by

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again: When it comes to a cricket pitch, there’s not much that Richie Woodmason, owner of Willow Turf Care, doesn’t know about them – whether it’s playing on them or maintaining them!

One thing he is certain of, is that when he needs a grass seed that is going to germinate quickly and deliver hard-wearing results capable of withstanding the demands of the modern season, he turns to Johnsons Sports Seed. Following his own extensive research, it’s Johnsons J Premier Wicket that ticks all the boxes for Richie, seeing it employed on 41 of the 42 renovations he completed last season.

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again

After moving to Australia to play cricket, Richie became involved in the grounds maintenance at the Perth club, swiftly taking on the role of Head Groundsman. On his return to the UK, he then adopted a similar role at his home club before a return trip to Oz saw him gain further experience of management in warmer climes. Back again, and positions at Gloucestershire Country Cricket Club and Trent Bridge were held, alongside the establishment of Willow Turf Care – conducting end of season renovations for facilities in and around the Gloucestershire area.

It was during his time at Trent Bridge that Richie took it upon himself to conduct some trials to establish the germination of various mixtures and assess the performance of various cultivars. He explains, “When we were conducting repairs, I’d line up four or five different mixtures and then look at things like the speed of germination, coverage and plant strength, and found that in our attempts to get a wicket back in six or eight weeks, that J Premier Wicket repeatedly outperformed the others.”

This knowledge has served Richie well, since he went full time with Willow Turf Care in March 2021. “I was armed with my go-to grass seed and found that, as new clients came on board, they were happy to take my recommendation. I’m now Head Groundsman at seven clubs and use J Premier Wicket at all of these, along with the numerous other sites at which I’m contracted. It continues to offer brilliant wear tolerance, disease resistance and coped well with the challenges of the hot and dry weather last summer.”

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again

It’s J Premier Wicket time and again

J Premier Wicket is formulated from four top-rated perennial rye cultivars that deliver proven, reliable performance and outstanding camera appeal. “We used it on all of our 42 square renovations except one last year, with the other one also using seed from another DLF brand, and couldn’t fault the results.” He adds, “Time is becoming the most important commodity due to the expectations on county club grounds staff. This means that finding something that works well, and works quickly, is crucial. For me, the J Premier Wicket mix backed up with fantastic technical support from DLF’s Ian Barnett and priced as it is, makes it unrivalled.”

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.

Even more choice from Makita

/in , /by

Even more choice from Makita: Leading power tool manufacturer, Makita has expanded its range of 18V LXT cordless garden maintenance machines further with new product launches. The new additions include an 18V LXT blower, a range of 18V LXT hedge trimmers and an 18V LXT 350mm rear handle chainsaw.

The versatile DUB187 Brushless LXT Blower, which features both blower and vacuum functions, has a variable speed trigger control plus a cruise control for ease of operation. In blower mode the DUB187 produces a maximum air volume of 4.2 m3 /min with an air velocity of up to 64m/sec. As a vacuum to pick up leaves and garden debris, the DUB187 has a maximum air volume of 6.1 m3 /min, benefits from a 25 litre collection bag and features a metal shredder blade on the fan for mulching. For easy and comfortable use, the DUB187 also features top and rear handles as well as a shoulder strap and two casters on the blower/vacuum nozzle for ease of movement.

Even more choice from Makita

Even more choice from Makita

Makita has also launched four new 18V LXT hedge trimmers. The DUH507 and DUH607 LXT hedge trimmers have 500mm and 600mm blade lengths respectively. The machines deliver an output of 250 watts, a blade speed of 2700 strokes per minute and have a 15mm maximum cutting capacity.

Also added to the range is the DUH506 and DUH606 Brushless LXT hedge trimmers that similarly have 500mm and 600mm blade lengths. These machines have an output of 320 watts with a blade speed of 4000 strokes per minute and a 20mm maximum cutting capacity. The brushless motors in the DUH506 and DUH606 deliver improved performance and runtimes compared with equivalent machines with conventional brushed motors.

All the new hedge trimmers are designed to be lightweight, including an aluminium guide bar, to reduce user fatigue as well as a redesigned front switch for easier operation. The new machines also all have optional chip receivers, and safety features such an electric brake, whilst the DUH506 and DUH606 also feature an anti-restart function.

In addition, to help professionals achieve maximum productivity, the DUB187 blower and the new hedge trimmers are all compatible with the Makita PDC01 portable power supply. This backpack battery unit can be fitted with up to four LXT batteries to provide extended run times for a wide range of Makita 18V and Twin 18V (36V) LXT machines via a connection adaptor.

Finally, Makita has also added a new rear handle chainsaw to its line-up. The DUC357 Brushless LXT 350mm Chainsaw achieves a high level of torque using a gear reduction mechanism making it ideal for more demanding applications.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita commented: “We are continually developing our range of cordless garden and grounds maintenance machines to provide professionals with a choice of products to suit their needs. This latest wave of new product launches broadens these options further with lightweight and easy to handle, but highly effective solutions.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.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.

Toro U.K. Ltd Attends The APSE Show

/in , /by

Toro U.K. Ltd Attends The APSE Show: Toro U.K. Limited, the U.K. manufacturer of Hayter® and Toro® lawnmowers and turf equipment, attended the APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds seminar in Aviemore in late May with local Toro Dealer, Frank Nicol Farm & Garden Machinery from Dingwall.

Together, they featured a selection of products including the new battery-powered Toro Revolution GrandStand.

Toro U.K. Ltd Attends The APSE Show

Toro U.K. Ltd Attends The APSE Show

Matthew Coleman, Sales Manager for LCE and SWS – U.K. Direct Market, reflected on the show. ”Demand and interest for battery products is growing which has led to great interest in the Revolution Series I am looking forward to supporting our Toro Dealer network in promoting the new battery-powered Revolution Series across the UK to show what these machines have to offer”

Battery-powered equipment is welcomed virtually everywhere and at any time of the day, giving you the freedom to work extended hours – or at times that suit you. The stand-on GrandStand Revolution mower is powered by the revolutionary HyperCell Power System and features a strong I-beam front-end and full 7-gauge steel Turbo Force cutting deck with a bullnose bumper. Its durable design also delivers a lower overall lifetime cost.

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.

Green-tech – an Official Drop-off Hub

/in , /by

Green-tech – an Official Drop-off Hub: Tubex has expanded its Tree Shelter Collection and Recycling Programme by offering hubs around the UK where tree shelters can be dropped off to be recycled, completely free of charge.

The scheme is a joint initiative with charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), which opened several hubs of its own in 2021.

Green-tech - an Official Drop-off Hub

Green-tech – an Official Drop-off Hub

There will be a total of 14 national hub locations. As well as YDMT’s sites, Tubex’s parent company Berry Global will provide five of the hub locations, while landscape supplier Green-tech is also supporting the scheme by offering their premises in North Yorkshire for shelter collection.

Green-tech’s Sales Director Richard Gill comments, “Tubex aim is to increase accessibility and proximity whilst limiting any unnecessary costs for end users, so that people are not discouraged to recycle shelters at end-of-life by having to fund and organise their disposal process. Green-tech is delighted to get involved and offer our support. We are the biggest distributor of tree protection products in the UK and feel we have a duty to offer practical solutions to removing plastic that has served its purpose, from the environment.”

Tubex will be covering all costs after the bags of used tree shelters are dropped at the hubs, including bailing, washing, recycling and re-pelletizing the material so that it can be used to create more shelters.

As well as all types of Tubex shelters all Polypropylene shelters that are manufactured by other brands can also be recycled at the hubs.  They can be identified by a small ‘PP’ symbol on the tree shelter.

Marketing & Product Development Director from Tubex James Taylor explains, “We are so pleased to be able to announce the launch of our recycling hubs with the support of YDMT and partners – since its inception, our plan has been to continually progress the Tubex Collection and Recycling Programme and offer the opportunity for our customers to recycle their shelters locally. Our hubs now provide a convenient way to ensure that shelters will be handled responsively at end-of-life, completely free of cost to the customer.”

For those who still want to use the original Tubex Collection and Recycling method where shelters are collected directly, Tubex will still be offering their standard dumpy bags for £39, which can hold 350-400 1.2m tree shelters with a minimum collection amount being six bags.

For more information on Tubex free tree shelter collection hubs email: https://tubex.com/sustainability/tree-shelter-collection-recycling-programme/

For further information or to order recycling bags call Green-tech on 01423 332100 or email tradecentre@green-tech.co.uk

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.