Tag Archive for: ‘Colour

DLF Colour Boost brings burst of colour

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DLF Colour Boost brings burst of colour: Lees Hall Golf Club are celebrating the success of their growing wildflower initiative, developed in conjunction with DLF Seeds.

Led by Head Greenkeeper Ian Whitehead and Assistant Greenkeeper Danny Tozzi, the club is now entering its third year of using mixtures from the Colour Boost range which has added areas of high visual impact and a real ‘boost’ to biodiversity around the course.

DLF Colour Boost brings burst of colour

DLF Colour Boost brings burst of colour

Established in 1907 as a nine-hole course before expanding to 18 holes in 1921, the picturesque parkland course at Lees Hall is set atop rolling hills with panoramic views across the city of Sheffield. Adding to the visual merit for the past two years are bursts of colour delivered by the club’s newly created wildflower areas. “I first met with DLF’s Stuart Yarwood at BTME 2024 who suggested we start with a small-scale trial to see how we got on” explains Ian.

“We opted for Floral Carpet from the Colour Boost range which provided a bold, but low-growing display which all the members enjoyed on their way to the first tee.” Along with something that would not interrupt lines of sight or play, Ian’s other request was slightly more out of the ordinary! “My allegiance to Sheffield Wednesday meant I couldn’t bear the thought of a red floral display on the course – DLF were more than happy to oblige, tweaking the mixture to incorporate more blues and whites.”

Under the careful management of assistant Danny Tozzi, the success of the trial plot saw the expansion of the programme into new areas in year two. Danny takes up the story, “We continued with Floral Carpet and then, with the guidance of DLF’s Ben Morgan, introduced the Honey Bee & Butterfly mixture into some new areas. Despite some slightly challenging weather conditions, we were impressed with not only the way the new sowing performed, but also how much re-growth and self-seeding we saw in the plots from year one.”

As well as visual appeal, boosting ecology has been a major driver for the project. “There’s no doubt that since we established these wildflower areas we’ve seen an increase in pollinators, birds and wildlife in general enjoying these spaces” Danny adds.

Buoyed by the success, five additional wildflower areas are earmarked for sowing in 2026. “We’ll certainly be continuing with Floral Carpet and the Honey Bee & Butterfly mixtures, along with Carnival which have all delivered exactly what we’ve hoped to date.” Danny concludes, “Everyone is excited to see even more colour on the course.”

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour: A superintendent at a historic, Limerick golf club has been using Green Lawnger for vibrant and healthy greens on the course which was voted as ‘Best Hidden Gem in Ireland’ in the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards, 2013.

Brian Dunne, Golf Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Golf Course, has been using BASF’s Green Lawnger for over two years alongside a topical fungicide or liquid feed for optimal lawn health and colour.

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

The club’s history dates to the late 1890s when the 4th Earl of Dunraven employed Scottish professional, Ben Sayers to design a 9-hole golf course on the estate in Adare. The club went on to many successes including winning the All-Ireland Final of the Pierce Purcell shield in 1985 and producing one of the most accomplished Irish amateur golfers, Jackie Harrington. In 1992, the club reopened as an 18-hole course, designed by Eddie Hackett and went on to celebrate its centenary year in 2000, but still boasts relics of its original layout.

The remains of Desmond Castle (1200AD) create a magnificent backdrop for golfers, as well as the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464AD) which dominates the centre of the challenging, but scenic course. The quality and vibrancy of the turf complements the historic parkland course, so colour management and upkeep are vital.

Brian said: “I apply Green Lawnger to the course twice a month, either alongside a fungicide or a liquid feed to maintain the colour and quality of the course. The turf pigment contains a high concentration of pigments based on turfgrass colourants, as well as Colourlock technology to ensure a long-lasting effect.”

Brian believes that his use of Green Lawnger at Adare Manor Golf Course has vastly improved the appearance of the course, saying: “Opposed to other dyes I have tried, Green Lawnger holds the colour for a long time after application and the greens look fantastic afterwards. I have also found it aids recovery from disease.”

Green Lawnger contains agronomic colourants to improve the quality of the turf as well as a resin technology to ensure strong leaf adhesion, meaning each application sticks directly to the leaf and is not transferred to skin or clothing, ensuring an even and vibrant green coverage.

The additional benefits of Green Lawnger include an instant green up, a flexible rate to achieve the required colour and a long-lasting effect. Green Lawnger can be used on any type of turfgrass and as a divot mix or sand colourant. It is the only choice turf colourant for use on stadia sports turf or for areas of use where an instant green up is required, and impact sports are played.

Brian concluded: “Green Lawnger is an effective and great product for turf colour and longevity, I highly recommend it to everyone within turf management for effective and long-lasting results.”

To find out more about Green Lawnger or to view the wider range of turf colourants, please visit: https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Turf-Colourant/index.html

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DLF delivers carnival of colour

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DLF delivers carnival of colour: The green, green grass of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club in Bristol is now complimented with a carnival of colours including reds, pinks and purples thanks to the introduction of wildflower seed from DLF.

The project is now into its third year and was the brainchild of Deputy Head Greenkeeper Craig Swindells who, together with support from the membership, has successfully introduced 800sq.M of outstanding visual impact together with all-important food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

DLF delivers carnival of colour

DLF delivers carnival of colour

Craig has been at the 18-hole parkland course, situated on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, for the last 12 years and works as part of a greens team of seven including one trainee and two member volunteers. He explains, “While the trees add great definition to the course, it means we’re very ‘green’ so I presented the idea of planting two new wildflower areas to the committee and they gave us their full support. One member in particular, Geoff McFarland, who shares my passion for ecology was generous enough to fund the project.”

The first seed went into the ground in May 2021 – a combination of Pro Flora 8, comprising of 80% grasses and 20% robust wild flowering species, and Colour Boost 1 (Carnival) for hight-impact annuals. “The weather hadn’t been kind up to that point, but we went from seed to full bloom in under two months and what a bloom we had! Bold bright colours and an abundance of bees and butterflies enjoying the rich food source it provided. We had a wealth of lovely messages and members of the public coming in to have a look.”

“At the end of the first season, we cut back and hand-picked unwanted growth as and when we saw it. Year two we left the areas alone and found we achieved great uptake with the perennials and, as you’d expect, fewer annuals though some did self-seed. It still looked good but like most plants, struggled with the ground being so dry through the summer of 2022. Now, we’re going into year three and we’re overseeding again, this time with Colour Boost’s Biodiversity mix to introduce a wide range of flowering varieties.”

Biodiversity from DLF’s Colour Boost collection blends seasonal annuals, biennials and perennials to appeal to a host of varied fauna, including pollinating insects. The composition of species is wide and ensures suitability to different growing conditions and strong colour, which changes depending on bloom, throughout the season.

“This project has brought so many benefits to the players, the wildlife and even the general public and we really couldn’t have wished for more. The support and guidance from DLF along the way has also been brilliant.” Craig adds, “Having tried other brands of wildflower, we can certainly say that Pro Flora and Colour Boost have given us the very best results, and there’s now great anticipation and excitement to see the outcome of this year’s work.”

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DLF Colour Boost mix delivers dazzling display

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DLF Colour Boost mix delivers dazzling display: The versatility of wild flowers is well documented, increasing biodiversity and delivering dazzling displays of colour to all types of public spaces and urban environments.

This year, wild flower from DLF’s Colour Boost collection made an eye-catching debut at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park on the stand of professional Chainsaw Sculptor Andy Burgess – who said that the bespoke trays of the Classical mix were being “constantly admired” by the 80,000 visitors in attendance.

DLF Colour Boost mix delivers dazzling display

DLF Colour Boost mix delivers dazzling display

Andy has completed private and public commissions all around the country over the course of the last 14 years, and has exhibited his work at most of the industries major events including the RHS Shows at Chelsea, Hampton Court and Chatsworth. “I’d been thinking about trying to integrate wild flowers into my stand for a few years as the ethos of sustainability and working with nature and natural materials fits with my product” explains Andy. “I got in touch with DLF’s Stuart Yarwood on social media who was a great help from day one and took the time to guide me through the whole process from seed to stand.”

After building bespoke seed trays from pallets, Andy chose the ‘Classical’ mix – a blend of high impact flowering varieties including Cornflower and Love-in-a-mist, in shades of blue and white. “We sowed the seed in early March and then my wife and I nurtured the flowers like children – with Stuart on hand with advice and tips to get them ready for the show at Tatton Park in July. After some careful transportation, we couldn’t have been more pleased with the end result. The flowers were knee high and delivered a swathe of colour that appeared to change on a daily basis with deadheading and new blooms coming through.”

“Close to 80,000 people came through the show over the course of the week and we had some amazing comments, with people saying our Colour Boost display made more of an impact that some of the dedicated flower gardens!”

Determined for the flowers not to go to waste, on the show closing the Classical trays were collected by a contact of Andy’s to make their next ‘star turn’. “The tree surgeon who supplies my wood also does set dressing for film and TV, so knowing that the wild flowers would be available he collected them and they’re now off to feature as part of a memorial garden in an upcoming murder mystery programme!”

More details of Andy’s projects can be found on social media – @BurgessSculptor on Twitter and @burgers44 on Instagram.

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SISIS orange the colour for Durham

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SISIS orange the colour for Durham: When Durham County Cricket Club’s 25-year-old SISIS Auto Rotorake needed upgrading, Head Groundsman Vic Demain didn’t have to look very far for a replacement.

“If you go into any cricket shed – from village level up to professional level, you will always see an orange piece of kit in there of some description,” said Vic. “The SISIS brand is just so well-known and trusted in the cricket grounds industry.”

SISIS orange the colour for Durham

SISIS orange the colour for Durham

As one of the most experienced groundsmen in cricket, Vic Demain certainly knows the secrets behind preparing a first-class cricket pitch. He joined Durham County Cricket Club in 2015 and has been working at the Emirates Riverside Stadium ever since.

Helping him to prepare for all the games, Vic has long relied on a range of SISIS equipment over the years, but conceded that it was about time for an upgrade.

“We had a trusty SISIS Auto Rotorake but it was over 25 years old, and it needed replacing,” he said. “We didn’t even look at anything else. It is a staple piece of equipment for cricket clubs and there is nothing else on the market to challenge it in my opinion.”

A popular choice, the Auto Rotorake MK5 is a self-propelled heavy duty scarifier for the removal and control of thatch on fine and other quality turf. However, a Rolaspike Reel, which can be used for surface aeration or to create a seed bed when overseeding; and a Spiral Brush Reel can also be fitted.

“It is a multi-purpose machine that can be used for different jobs, but we mainly use it as a brush,” said Vic.

“For early preparation we will use it for standing the grass up before we mow, to make sure we get a good cut. After a game it is great for sweeping the whole length of the pitch to remove any dust or debris. This basically gives the pitch a good clean before we move on to renovating the pitch to get it back into service.

“We’ve also got artificial nets, and it is used for cleaning those and is particularly beneficial for getting rid of winter moss.

“It is used frequently, at least once every couple of days, and the whole team can use it because it is very operator friendly.”

“Ultimately, it is the proven quality of all the SISIS products that stands out and that is why I have been using them constantly throughout my career.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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