Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative: A collaborative initiative ‘Roots for the future, skills for today’, supported by leading industry bodies and influential individuals, is pleased to announce that GroundsFest has officially joined the mission to promote the landscape architecture and horticultural industries to the wider public. As part of its support, GroundsFest will take […]

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals: In the world of professional turf management, the ground beneath our feet is shifting. What once seemed like a predictable seasonal cycle has been replaced by a volatile cocktail of environmental and operational pressures. From the scorching droughts of record-breaking summers to the relentless intensity […]

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative: A collaborative initiative ‘Roots for the future, skills for today’, supported by leading industry bodies and influential individuals, is pleased to announce that GroundsFest has officially joined the mission to promote the landscape architecture and horticultural industries to the wider public.

As part of its support, GroundsFest will take the lead by building the industry’s flagship stand at New Scientist Live 2026 which takes place at London’s Excel, October 10-12. The project aims to bring together prominent organisations from across the breadth of UK landscaping and horticulture, to collaborate on an exhibit to raise perceptions through public engagement. The ultimate aim is to address the skills crisis by showcasing the sectors as high-tech, scientific and sustainable, to a large STEM-focused audience. Educational and commercial partners are sought from across sports turf, groundskeeping, forestry, landscaping, ornamental and edible production, garden retail, environmental management, gardens and parks. Sufficient stand sharers are required by 24th March to move the project to its next stage of booking space.

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

New Scientist Live, held annually in London, attracts over 26,000 visitors including students, school staff, families and science enthusiasts, making it the premier platform to inspire a large public and the next generation.

Award-winning GroundsFest, the UK’s leading annual event for the grounds management, landscaping and arboriculture industries, will bring unparalleled expertise to the project. Their team will oversee the construction of an immersive, interactive stand that demonstrates the technological, engineering and environmental science required to build and maintain the nation’s world-class green spaces and deliver horticultural output.

Christina Walker, leading the project, commented: “I’m thrilled to welcome GroundsFest to this crucial initiative. Their commitment to the landscaping and grounds maintenance industries, plus their award-winning skill in producing events and exhibits makes them the perfect partner to bring this vision to life. By building a stand that is both interactive and scientifically grounded, we can show the New Scientist Live audience the vast array of inspirational and aspirational STEM careers across the landscape and horticulture sectors. I need stand sharers and sponsors to come forward – I’m particularly keen that we have a sport activity to engage visitors around soil science and an urban element is absolutely central to the exhibit.”

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, added: “Joining this mission was a natural fit for us. At GroundsFest, we are passionate about the future of the industry and reinvesting in the next generation. Building the stand at New Scientist Live 2026 allows us to showcase the incredible craftsmanship and innovation within our sector on a national stage. We look forward to working with our colleagues to create something truly inspiring.” The partnership follows a growing movement within the industry to unify efforts in career promotion, as recently discussed at a cross sector Focus Group. By combining the resources of trade bodies and commercial sponsors with the practical prowess of GroundsFest, the project ensures that the horticulture and landscape architecture sectors will have a commanding and educational presence at one of the world’s largest science festivals.

Stand sharers and sponsors are asked to contact Christina Walker chris1coombes@googlemail.com before 24th March.

About GroundsFest GroundsFest is the UK’s largest annual event for the grounds management, landscaping, and arboriculture sectors. It features a unique combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, live machinery demonstrations, and the GroundsFest Academy, which provides free educational seminars and training for industry professionals.

About New Scientist Live New Scientist Live is an award-winning science festival that brings together the biggest names in science and technology. The event features immersive experiences, incredible exhibits, and talks from world-leading experts, aimed at inspiring people of all ages about the wonders of the universe.

Media Contact: Christina Walker 07703 592589
chris1coombes@googlemail.com@googlemail.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

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals: In the world of professional turf management, the ground beneath our feet is shifting. What once seemed like a predictable seasonal cycle has been replaced by a volatile cocktail of environmental and operational pressures. From the scorching droughts of record-breaking summers to the relentless intensity of equally record-breaking rainfall, the demands placed on a sward have never been higher.

At DSV Eurograss, they recognise that the “business as usual” approach to seed selection is no longer an option. As we navigate 2026, the research into seed and turf development has transcended simple aesthetics; it is now the critical foundation for the industry’s survival and sustainability.

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

The Climate Challenge: Breeding for the “New Normal”

Climate change is no longer a distant threat – it is an everyday operational hurdle. For turf managers, this manifests as extreme temperature fluctuations and increasingly restrictive water usage regulations. The traditional “cool-season” grasses that have long been the backbone of UK and European sports turf are being pushed to their physiological limits.

The research at DSV focuses on genotypic variation – the genetic “blueprint” that allows certain cultivars to thrive where others fail. Their breeding programs are specifically targeting drought tolerance, not just through surface-level survival, but through deep-rooting characteristics. By selecting for “smart roots”, plants that can strategically adjust their water uptake from deeper soil profiles during dry spells, they are helping groundstaff maintain high-quality surfaces with significantly fewer irrigation inputs.

Resilience Against Emerging Diseases

Warmer, more humid autumns and winters have invited a new guest list of pathogens to our pitches and fairways. Diseases like Dollar Spot and Gray Leaf Spot, once considered “continental” problems, are now common in more temperate climates.

The traditional reliance on chemical interventions is under pressure from both a regulatory and environmental standpoint. The DSV development pipeline prioritises genetic disease resistance.

Varieties like the newly ranked Flanell and Euromagic aren’t just chosen for their wear tolerance; they are bred to be naturally robust against the fungi that thrive in these changing weather patterns. By building resistance directly into the seed’s DNA, DSV provide the first line of defence, reducing the need for costly and carbon-heavy fungicide applications.

Performance Under Pressure: The Usage Factor

While the climate changes, the expectations of players and spectators remain at an all-time high. Modern multi-use stadia and academic facilities require turf that can withstand “increased usage” from the relentless pounding of feet and equipment, often under low-light conditions or beneath retractable roofs.

DSV’s PRO range is a testament to this research. It features diploid perennial ryegrasses that offer:

Rapid Germination: Vital for the tight windows of summer renovations.
Exceptional Sward Density: Providing the stability required for high-speed play.
Genetic Colour: Cultivars like Flanell and Eurogala provide a naturally deep green hue that looks exceptional on camera without the need for excessive nitrogen fertilization.

A Data-Driven Future

The importance of independent testing has never been greater. DSV are proud that their varieties now occupy top positions on the BSPB Turfgrass Seed rankings. However, their work doesn’t stop at the trial plots. The company is moving toward a more predictive framework in breeding, using genomic selection to identify the next generation of resilient varieties years faster than traditional methods.

“The rankings table is the one everyone wants to top. Our recent results prove that our breeding material is now the best in these trials, but the real victory is seeing these grasses perform in the face of a changing environment,” commented Sam Horner, DSV Seeds.

Conclusion: The Seed is the Solution

As water becomes more precious and the weather more unpredictable, the turfcare industry must look to the science of the seed. At DSV Eurograss, they are committed to providing the professional community with the tools to stay ahead of the curve. Investing in advanced seed technology is not just about a better-looking pitch today; it’s about ensuring we have a surface to play on tomorrow.

Please visit www.dsv-uk.co.uk/products/amenity for more information and follow on social media @EuroGrassUKSeed.

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

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

Why Seed Innovation is the New Frontier for Turf Professionals

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT