Tag Archive for: Irrigation

Green-tech’s first closed-loop subterranean irrigation system

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Green-tech’s first closed-loop subterranean irrigation system: Green-tech has launched the latest evolution of its renowned Mona irrigation system – Mona Pluvia, the first closed-loop subterranean irrigation system.

Building on over 40 years of research and development, Mona Pluvia transforms water management in urban environments, ensuring efficient and sustainable irrigation while minimising water wastage. This cutting-edge system includes technology that futureproofs a tried and tested irrigation method into a more intelligent use of water fit for our changing climate. The system cleverly collects and utilises rainwater to deliver essential hydration directly to tree and plant roots in urban areas.

Green-tech's first closed-loop subterranean irrigation system

Green-tech’s first closed-loop subterranean irrigation system

At the core of the Mona Irrigation System is passive irrigation technology, a natural, low-maintenance method of watering that includes processes such as capillary action. The subterranean yellow Mona tanks act as underground reservoirs, storing water at the root level and releasing it gradually as needed.

Key Benefits of Mona Pluvia

  1. Intelligent Water Management: Automatically responds to soil moisture levels to deliver water precisely when needed.
  2. Sustainable, Closed-Loop Water Use: This system captures and reuses rainwater, eliminating water wastage and reducing reliance on the mains supply.
  3. Proven Capillary Action Technology: Works with nature to optimise plant hydration and root health.
  4. Drought Resilience Built-In: Maintains consistent soil moisture during dry periods, reducing plant stress and improving survival rates.
  5. Low-maintenance design: This design eliminates the need for regular surface watering, saving time, reducing run-off, and minimising labour costs.
  6. Ideal for Urban & Hard Landscaping: Designed for city tree planting, parks, streetscapes, and green infrastructure projects.
  7. Supports Climate Resilience: Helps urban areas adapt to changing rainfall patterns and water shortages.
  8. Manufactured in the UK: Incorporating decades of irrigation experience.

The next generation of intelligent irrigation

Planting in urban environments is a key contributor to improving biodiversity within cities and towns. By harvesting and recycling rainwater, resources are utilised to reduce the impact of flooding by removing water from the sewerage network. Mona Pluvia works with the planting’s natural feeding pattern while recovering water that ordinarily enters an urban drainage network. This ensures a more natural hydration cycle for trees and plants and supports long-term sustainability in urban landscapes.

Specially designed sensors detect when the tank’s water level drops below a set threshold, prompting the pump to refill the Mona yellow tanks with harvested rainwater. This closed-loop system reduces water wastage while promoting a more natural and sustainable irrigation process.

A major year for Green-tech

In addition to launching Mona Pluvia, the TreeParker System was nominated for the Big Innovation Pitch at Futurebuild 2025. This recognition highlighted Green-tech’s ongoing commitment to revolutionising urban tree planting and sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS).

Seraya Sigsworth, Head of Green Blue infrastructure at Green-tech, comments, “Mona Pluvia presents a major step forward in sustainable urban irrigation. By harnessing rainwater, this system significantly reduces water waste while ensuring that trees and plants in urban environments receive the hydration they need. We unveiled this innovation at Futurebuild 2025, and I was delighted at how well it was received. Visitors to the stand appreciated how it could support them with projects to provide greener, more resilient cities.”

Taking green assets that naturally provide biodiversity and combining them with water management creates a true vision of sustainable blue-green infrastructure. For more information, please contact Green-tech on 01423 332100 or visit www.gtspecifier.co.uk

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The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

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The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system: Toro keeps innovating irrigation management with the launch of the Tempus Decoder System, the world’s first Wi-Fi-enabled decoder solution.

Developed to provide stadium managers and grounds teams with a smarter way to control irrigation, the system simplifies installation and minimises wiring costs with a unique wireless interface.

The world's only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

At the heart of the system is the Tempus 2-wire interface, which seamlessly converts a Tempus controller into an essential 2-wire system – eliminating the need for multiple cables thanks to its Wi-Fi communication. The decoders receive instructions from the interface, activating the connected sprinklers to deliver precise and impeccable irrigation control.

This modular design, with a main interface that communicates wirelessly with multiple decoders, makes Toro’s solution remarkably easy to scale. Additional decoders can be integrated at any time, linking to the main system through a simple Wi-Fi connection, allowing users to manage up to 48 stations with a single controller.

The result is a future-proof irrigation solution that adapts to evolving turf needs and can be expanded in no time with minimum costs.

“With the Tempus Decoder System, Toro is bringing simplicity and efficiency to turf irrigation,” says Robert Jackson, Division Manager, Reesink Hydro-Scapes. “Turf managers need solutions that not only optimise water usage but make their jobs easier. This system reduces installation complexity while delivering the reliability and performance Toro is known for.”

By leveraging Wi-Fi connectivity, the Tempus Decoder System also enables users to control their irrigation system remotely, making real-time adjustments as needed. This combination of convenience, flexibility and Toro’s trusted innovation makes it the ideal solution for modern turf management.

With smart irrigation technology that saves time, reduces labour and enhances water efficiency, the Tempus Decoder System represents the next generation of turf irrigation control for sports venues.

To find out how your system can be upgraded quickly with fewer cables and to adopt remote access irrigation control, call 01480 226948, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk today.

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KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership

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KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership: Greg Fitzmaurice, dual-role Course Manager and General Manager at Hunley Golf Club in North Yorkshire, has dedicated 28 years to the greenkeeping industry.

Since joining Hunley 12 years ago, Greg has overseen significant changes at the course, including a major irrigation system upgrade that has dramatically improved efficiency, turf health, and overall course management.

KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership

KAR UK & Hunley Golf Course: A Winning Irrigation Partnership

Hunley Golf Club, built during the early 90s golf boom, has seen its fair share of challenges. Initially developed by an ambitious local landowner, the club later faced financial difficulties, leading to a change in ownership. The current owners have focused on revitalising the club, and under Greg’s leadership, the course has gained a strong reputation and an increasingly loyal membership base. With a stunning coastal location and 27 holes, Hunley has transformed into a hidden gem on the UK golfing map.

When Greg first arrived at Hunley, it was evident that the existing irrigation system was outdated and struggling to keep up with the club’s needs. The old uPVC pipework, some of which had already been second-hand when originally installed, had long surpassed its 25-year lifespan. The system was failing, with frequent leaks causing disruptions and significant water waste. “By 2021, it felt like every few days we were fixing another leak,” Greg recalls.

Recognising that a full-scale upgrade was necessary, Greg and his team explored options from several leading irrigation providers. Hunter Irrigation products, distributed by KAR UK, emerged as the best choice. “Hunter offered the best value, but more importantly, we felt their products were the best on the market,” Greg explains. “It was a no-brainer for us, and we had full confidence in KAR UK.”

To keep costs manageable, Greg and his team made the bold decision to install the system in-house – a move that reduced the project’s cost to roughly a third of what it would have been with external contractors. Over three years, during quieter winter months, the five-person greenkeeping team gradually replaced the main pipework, installed new sprinklers, and upgraded the system’s control capabilities.

“We started with the worst areas, tackling the greens and approaches where leaks were most common,” Greg says. The team installed Hunter TTS-800 series rotors combined with G-85 internal risers, which provided enhanced reliability and precision. A temporary control hub was set up, with plans to fully integrate the Hunter Pilot system once the project is complete.

The impact of the new irrigation system has been significant. “It’s like having an extra member of staff,” Greg says. The time previously spent repairing leaks and manually operating sprinklers has been redirected to course maintenance and improvement. Turf health has improved dramatically, playability has increased, and water efficiency has significantly enhanced.

The system has also allowed Greg and his team to make real-time adjustments with ease. “Being able to run the sprinklers at night without worrying about coming into a flooded green the next day is a huge benefit, both practically and psychologically. It’s less work, it’s easier, and it means I can focus on other tasks without needing someone to follow me around to water in wetting agents. Once the Pilot system is up and running, and I can control everything from my phone, well, that’ll be Dreamland.”

KAR UK provided essential support throughout the project, from initial product selection to installation guidance. “The service has been excellent,” Greg notes. “Wesley Henshaw (KAR UK Golf Sales Manager) has been with us every step of the way, ensuring we had the right products and advice to complete the job ourselves. He’s got that technical and practical knowledge, which is better than the competitors, and that has been a huge benefit.”

While the full system is still a couple of years from completion, Hunley Golf Club is already reaping the benefits of its investment. For Greg, a good irrigation system isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. “An irrigation system is an insurance for the golf course,” he explains. “You can go long periods without needing it, but when you do, if you don’t have it, you’re in real trouble.”

The impact of upgrading the system has been huge for Hunley Golf Club, not just in terms of efficiency and resource savings, but also in the quality of the course itself. “If we didn’t go through with this new irrigation system, it would have really held us back,” he says. “Now, we’re seeing the benefits everywhere—from saving resources to improving the final product. And personally, the stress of dealing with an unreliable system is something you can’t underestimate. Having that peace of mind is massive.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Toro irrigation delivers immediate results

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Toro irrigation delivers immediate results: The new Toro irrigation system at Royal St David’s has brought almost immediate changes and noticeable results to the traditional links course on the west coast of North Wales.

The project involving Toro, Reesink Hydro-Scapes, Adrian Mortram Associates and Green Irrigation has increased membership, income and ranking for the club.

Toro irrigation delivers immediate results

Toro irrigation delivers immediate results

Links Manager Rhys Butler says: “The goal was to irrigate just the right amount to keep the grass alive, we wanted to promote the fast-running links game, without overwatering and having soft surfaces.

“We suffered a series of dry springs and droughts, and the fairways especially were struggling for recovery. We needed a system that could give us control of the moisture on all areas to keep good grass coverage and consistency of playing surfaces even in times of drought.”

With an incredible 46 years of service from the club’s previous Toro system, Rhys was impressed with Toro’s performance and longevity and how it had met the course’s needs. He was also impressed with the service from Reesink Hydro-Scapes, which meant he didn’t look anywhere else when the time came to proceed with the full upgrade.

The project commenced in the spring of 2022 and completed in early November of the same year. All new mains and controls were required as was full fairway irrigation for the first time. The club chose the Flex series of sprinklers on greens and fairways, T5 Rapidsets sprinklers on all tee surfaces and 590GF sprinklers for newly installed walkways and the entire system is controlled using Toro’s Lynx Control System with LSM technology.

Robert Jackson, Division Manager for Reesink Hydro-Scapes, explains how the system has provided Rhys and his team with to-the-second runtime accuracy across all newly installed stations via either the central controller or remotely using Toro’s smart app.

He says, “Using the app in the field gave a level of flexibility and control to be able to water dry spots, water in wetting agents and be minimalistic with water application as is natural for a links course. Water is now used wisely, as and when it is needed.”

At conception of the installation the grass was visibly starting to strain and as each hole was turned on the difference was almost immediately noticeable to members thanks to the new irrigation system accuracy and targeted watering.

The result is healthy turfgrasses and maximised efficiency of resources, to which Rhys adds: “The project was a resounding success and has transformed Royal St David’s Golf Club: membership has increased, visitor income has doubled, and our rankings have improved. This is because the irrigation system has given us moisture control on the golf course to produce great playing surfaces.”

Further details on the project can be found at reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk.

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation: The Connah’s Quay War Memorial, situated in Wales, serves as a poignant tribute to the residents of Connah’s Quay and Shotton who were killed or reported missing during the First and Second World Wars.

Flintshire County Council aimed to enhance this memorial site by creating a serene garden space that would provide an area for reflection and honour the memory of those who served.

The Solution

As part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity funding allotted to the Town Centre Investment Programme, Flintshire County Council undertook the project to rejuvenate the memorial’s surroundings. The initiative comprised ten projects aimed at improving urban spaces across Flintshire.

As such, the memorial garden at Connah’s Quay War Memorial was identified. Concurrently, the Interservice Committee approached the council for funding to clean the memorial and to add names of soldiers who had not been previously recognised.

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

This provided the council with the opportunity to consider creating a memorial garden that combines the names in the best way possible. It was decided to use planters around the cenotaph to create a space for reflection and year-round interest for the site. The species identified in the planters offer substantial biodiversity benefits to the area.

To achieve this, Flintshire County Council collaborated with EE Civils, based in Holywell, to install the bespoke planters and Mona Tank 24 irrigation systems and fill them with Green-tree topsoil, all supplied by Green-tech.

This collaborative effort sought to create a peaceful garden area using planters that would contribute to the site’s visual appeal and biodiversity. Additionally, the memorial garden would support community engagement, with plans for local schools to adopt and maintain some of the planters.

Products Used
Green-tech supplied:

  • 30 bespoke planters
  • 30 Mona Tank 24 Irrigation systems
  • 4 Bulk Bags of Green-tree Topsoil

Charlotte Wilcock, Project Development Officer at Flintshire County Council, advises, “Green-tech was selected as the range of planters on offer worked with our requirements and timescales. Our Green-tech advisor, James Renfrew, was supportive in advising and quoting for the required products and discussing the project and its requirements.

Flintshire County Council had previously used Green-tech for another project, and having been pleased with the results and services from that project, there was confidence that this would be repeated on this project.”

The bespoke planters were chosen to provide a specific aesthetic that appealed to the project’s stakeholders while ensuring durability for long-term use. The inclusion of the Mona irrigation system was recommended to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the planters and enhance their growth and sustainability.

The 100% water-efficient, subterranean plant irrigation system acts as a reservoir to hold water and distribute it to the plant’s roots as and when required.

The Outcome

The transformation of the Connah’s Quay War Memorial into a beautiful garden space was well-received by the community. The planters, now filled with lush greenery, have drawn positive feedback from residents.

Ian Dunbar, Chair of the Interservice Committee, remarked, “We have had many good comments from the public regarding the planters filled with plants, and have a request from some schools to sponsor a planter and look after it, which is brilliant.”

Conclusion

The successful installation of the planters at Connah’s Quay War Memorial highlights the positive impact of collaborative efforts in community regeneration. Green-tech’s commitment to quality products ensured the delivery of a meaningful project that enhances the memorial site, supporting biodiversity and community involvement.

This project is a testament to how thoughtful landscaping can create serene spaces for reflection and remembrance.

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