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MM Seed Delivers Proven Performance

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MM Seed Delivers Proven Performance: Managing one of the busiest multi-sport facilities on the south coast is no small task – especially in a region increasingly defined by prolonged dry spells and intense seasonal wear. At Bournemouth University, Grounds Manager Alex McCombie relies on proven seed performance and trusted technical support to keep standards high across a hugely demanding site.

Alex has been in the post for four years, overseeing an extensive sports complex that includes eight football pitches, three rugby pitches, cricket squares and outfields, hockey pitches, a 3G surface and extensive surrounding landscapes. While the facilities serve students, around 75% of usage comes from the wider community, with Bournemouth Rugby Club, Bournemouth Sports Football Club and Bournemouth Cricket Club all calling the site home.

MM Seed Delivers Proven Performance

MM Seed Delivers Proven Performance

“We’re a university, but we’re also a massive community campus,” Alex explains. “We’ve got fixtures midweek and weekends, and on some days, we’ll have multiple matches on the same pitch. We’re talking around 5,000 users every week, so wear tolerance and recovery are absolutely critical.”

Situated on an extremely free-draining site, Bournemouth University benefits from excellent winter playability – but summer conditions are increasingly challenging.

“From Easter through to October we hardly had any rain at all,” says Alex. “That’s great in winter, but in summer it puts huge stress on the grass. We need something with genuine drought tolerance that can also stand up to relentless wear.”

That need led Alex to MM Tetra Sport, a specialist overseeding mixture consisting of tetraploid ryegrasses, designed specifically for high-quality sports turf.

“Tetra Sport has been a bit of a no-brainer for us,” he says. “It establishes quickly, it wears well, and it stood up incredibly well during a brutal summer. I was genuinely impressed.”

The mixture delivers fast germination, rapid sward establishment, and excellent winter and summer colour, while offering high disease resistance and strong wear tolerance. The inclusion of new, highly rated cultivars, exclusive to the MM range, has been particularly important at Bournemouth University, where pitches see continuous use.

Alex even took the unusual step of overseeding a rugby pitch in December.

“Soil temperatures here stay fairly good, and we usually have a short break after the last fixture before Christmas,” he explains. “We drilled Tetra Sport in just before that break, and it came through really nicely. The results exceeded my expectations.”

For cricket renovations and repairs, Alex turns to MM50, widely regarded as the leading mixture for end-of-season renovation work and mid-season repairs.

“We’ve used MM50 on our cricket squares for a couple of years now and had superb results,” he says. “The density we get is excellent, and it recovers really quickly from play.”

MM50 contains a blend of fine-leaved ryegrasses, producing an extremely hard-wearing, dense surface, and is treated with Headstart® GOLD to support faster establishment and stronger early growth.

“We don’t tend to spray for disease at all,” Alex adds. “We’re lucky, but disease pressure is minimal. The square we renovated with MM50 played probably the best it ever has last season, and the feedback from the cricket club has been very positive.”

Beyond product performance, Alex highlights the importance of strong relationships and reliable technical support – something he has found consistently with MM Seed.

“I’ve used MM Seed for years and had a long-standing relationship with Matt Gresty,” he says. “Matt’s absolutely superb – always on hand with advice, and he’s even helped put together specialist mixes specifically for our site.”

That bespoke approach proved invaluable following the university’s large annual rugby festival, where tailored mixtures were required to accelerate recovery across heavily worn areas.

“David Bevan from Agrovista Amenity, who I get the seed from, is brilliant as well,” Alex continues. “Between David and Matt, the service is excellent. They’re knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely supportive. You feel like they understand what you’re trying to achieve.”

For a site facing intense usage, extreme dryness and year-round pressure, Bournemouth University’s experience shows how the right seed – combined with the right support – can make all the difference.

Visit the new and improved MM Seed website at www.mm-seeds.co.uk

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

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MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

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MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026: MM Seed enters 2026 with a refined and strengthened range, building on its reputation for quality, performance and reliability across golf, winter sports, cricket and tennis.

With carefully selected cultivar updates and the continued inclusion of HEADSTART® GOLD as standard, the latest MM mixtures are designed to deliver stronger establishment, improved durability and consistent presentation in increasingly challenging conditions.

MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

Golf: Fairway and Greens Performance You Can Rely On

For fairways and high-wear areas, MM22, MM50 and MM13 remain core options, each offering distinct benefits depending on site requirements.

MM22 continues to be a trusted choice for divotting, repairs and renovation work on tees and fairways subject to heavy traffic. For 2026, MM22 is enhanced with the inclusion of Mumbai perennial ryegrass, a dense, fine-leaved and hard-wearing cultivar. This is complemented by Hastings and Sybille creeping red fescues, further improving density and visual quality.

MM50 also benefits from the addition of Mumbai, strengthening its ability to produce a dense, resilient sward capable of withstanding close mowing and sustained wear. Alongside proven cultivars such as Singapore, MM50 continues to deliver consistency and performance where presentation and durability are equally important.

For lower-input environments, MM13 offers a traditional yet highly effective solution for overseeding and renovation of tees, fairways and roughs. With excellent drought tolerance, good disease resistance and strong recovery, MM13 is particularly suited to sites where ease of management and reliability are key. Its ability to hold colour and performance through winter further enhances its appeal.

On greens, MM8 and MM9 provide specialist solutions for different playing environments. MM8 is a 100% fine fescue blend, ideally suited to links and heathland-style courses. Featuring top-rated cultivars such as Sybille, it delivers a fine, dense sward with low nutrient requirements, good drought tolerance and improved disease resistance, making it ideal for sustainable maintenance programmes and seasonal overseeding.

MM9 remains a premium browntop bent mixture for summer overseeding, autumn renovation and new green construction. Renowned for producing smooth, dense putting surfaces, MM9 offers excellent colour retention, strong disease resistance and tolerance to close mowing, making it a dependable choice for high-performance greens.

Winter Sports: Proven Mixtures and Smart Innovation

MM60, a market-leading winter sports mixture for over 30 years, remains a go-to option thanks to its fast germination, excellent wear tolerance and strong winter recovery. The inclusion of the Lionel cultivar provides enhanced resistance to Fusarium, supporting turf health during high-risk periods.

MM Tetrasport blends 75% tetraploid and 25% diploid perennial ryegrass, delivering the combined benefits of both species. The result is a hard-wearing, disease-resistant sward with excellent colour, deep rooting and improved drought tolerance, making it particularly well suited to stadiums, training grounds and pitches with limited irrigation.

New for 2026, MM Active Shield has been developed to address growing concerns around Grey Leaf Spot. The mix includes Fiesta 4 and Fabian, the most tolerant cultivars identified in DLF GLS trials, alongside other independently trialled varieties. Fast to establish even in cooler temperatures, MM Active Shield delivers greater root mass, improved plant strength, excellent wear tolerance and outstanding year-round colour.

Cricket and Tennis: Trusted at the Highest Level

MM50 continues its long-standing position as the market-leading cricket and tennis mixture, used by numerous county and international venues. The inclusion of Mumbai raises performance further, while Singapore supports rapid recovery from match play and wear. Tolerant of low cutting heights and quick to establish, MM50 remains a proven choice for cricket squares and tennis courts alike.

HEADSTART® GOLD: Performance Built In

All MM seed mixtures come with HEADSTART® GOLD as standard. This second-generation biological seed treatment accelerates germination and supports early root development through a carefully balanced blend of macro and micronutrients, including phosphorus, sulphur, copper and molybdenum. By promoting stronger roots during establishment, HEADSTART® GOLD helps improve stress tolerance, reduce inputs and deliver healthier turf faster.

Combined with MM’s high standards for seed purity and germination, the 2026 range offers professional turf managers dependable solutions designed to perform from day one – and well beyond.

The 2026 MM Seed product catalogue is now available through your local MM Seed distributor.

Visit the new and improved MM Seed website at www.mm-seeds.co.uk

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

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

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MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME: MM Seed will be returning to BTME from 20-22 January, welcoming visitors to Stand 124 to explore some of the industry’s most trusted grass seed mixtures for golf courses. Throughout the event, their knowledgeable team will be available to offer tailored advice on renovation, overseeding and choosing the right mixture for every course environment.

Fairway Focus: MM22, MM50 & MM13

Among the products on show will be MM22, a dependable option for divotting, repairing and renovating tees, fairways and outfield areas that take on significant wear. Its rapid establishment, strong recovery and impressive sward density make it ideal for clubs that need a mixture they can rely on throughout the season.

MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

Visitors will also be able to learn more about the hugely popular MM50, a fast-establishing ryegrass blend that delivers consistent year-round performance. Known for its resilience and fine leaf characteristics, MM50 produces a dense, clean-cut sward that stands up well to close mowing and heavy traffic, while also offering high levels of disease resistance.

For those managing lower-input sites, MM13 provides a traditional, high-quality option for overseeding and renovating tees, fairways and roughs. With excellent drought tolerance, strong recovery and good disease resistance, MM13 is well suited for areas where reliability and ease of management are essential. Its ability to maintain colour and performance through winter further adds to its appeal.

Greens Mixtures: MM8 & MM9

For greens, MM Seed will be showcasing MM8, a 100% fine fescue blend ideal for links and heathland-style environments. Featuring top-rated cultivars such as Sybille, MM8 delivers a fine, dense sward with exceptional drought tolerance, low nutrient requirements and enhanced disease resistance. It supports sustainable maintenance practices and is particularly effective for spring and summer overseeding.

Also highlighted will be MM9, a premium browntop bent mixture designed for summer overseeding, autumn renovation and new green constructions. Renowned for producing a fine, dense and smooth putting surface, MM9 offers excellent year-round colour, strong disease resistance and impressive tolerance to close mowing, making it a trusted choice for high-performance greens.

Visit MM Seed at Stand 124

Whether you’re planning a renovation programme or seeking guidance on improving turf quality across your course, the MM Seed team will be on hand throughout BTME to discuss the best solutions for your course.

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 X: @MM_Seed.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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MM Tetrasport proves its strength at Towcestrians

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MM Tetrasport proves its strength at Towcestrians: When the Women’s Rugby World Cup came to town, the pitches at Towcestrians Sports Club needed to perform at the highest level. Head Groundsman Tommy Waldock turned to a product he knew he could trust – MM Tetrasport – and the results spoke for themselves.

Based in Towcester, Northamptonshire, Towcestrians Sports Club is an open, non-profit, multi-sports venue offering rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, and archery. Its facilities have grown rapidly in recent years, and today the site boasts four full-size rugby pitches, a cricket square, and an artificial surface for hockey.

MM Tetrasport proves its strength at Towcestrians

MM Tetrasport proves its strength at Towcestrians

For Tommy, who has spent his entire career in sports turf, managing a site of this scale is no small task.

“I started back in 2011 at Peterborough United FC,” he explains. “A friend of mine worked there and asked if I could help with some strimming. One thing led to another, and they offered me a full-time job. That’s how I got into groundsmanship. From there, I moved to MK Dons, then spent five years at the Ricoh Arena before joining Towcestrians about six years ago.”

The club’s growing reputation was further boosted when it was chosen as an official training centre for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, hosting both Ireland and France for pre-tournament preparations.

“It was a brilliant experience,” says Tommy. “But it came with its challenges – especially during the drought. The pitch passed all the ProPitch tests with flying colours and MM Tetrasport really showed what it could do.”

Having first used MM Tetrasport during his time at the Ricoh Arena, Tommy knew it was the right choice for Towcestrians’ demanding rugby surfaces.

“I was always going to use Tetrasport for the Rugby World Cup prep because I knew how it reacts, and I knew how good it is,” he says. “It’s been absolutely brilliant. I’ve used it across all four pitches, and if you were to stand here now, you wouldn’t know we’d had a drought. The pitches are stunningly green.”

MM Tetrasport is designed for fast germination, rapid establishment, and outstanding wear tolerance – qualities that have proved vital under the heavy demands of rugby training and matches. Treated with Headstart® GOLD, it delivers strong performance from the off, while the tetraploid ryegrasses provide resilience and excellent colour all year round.

“The recovery is unbelievable,” says Tommy. “You can have 40-odd players out there, and by the time you give the pitch a brush and a cut after training, you wouldn’t even know they’d been on it. I’ve never known a seed regenerate like it – it just keeps coming.”

For the Rugby World Cup preparation, Tommy followed a ProPitch specification involving deep scarification and reseeding with MM Tetrasport at 45g/m².

“We pulled out a lot of old bent grass, did a four-way scarification, and used nine bags of Tetrasport per pitch. The seed was up in six days – we saw the first signs of growth that quickly. We also applied a pre-seed feed after five days to help it along. It was flat-out from there – it just didn’t stop growing.”

The same mixture was used across the other pitches without scarification, and despite the heavy usage, the results have been equally impressive. “It’s superb,” Tommy adds. “It got through the tournament without even a scar and was recovering within a week once conditions improved.”

Tommy also credits the service and advice he receives from Matt Gresty from MM Seed and Charlie Seager from Agrovista Amenity for helping him achieve such strong results.

“Matt Gresty has been brilliant – really knowledgeable and always gives you options,” says Tommy. “I buy through Charlie at Agrovista Amenity, and he’s fantastic too. You ask a question, and he’s got the answer straight away. Between them both, they really look after you.”

With professional-standard surfaces now maintained across all four rugby pitches, Towcestrians Sports Club continues to thrive. For Tommy, MM Tetrasport has become an essential part of that success.

“It’s a superb seed,” he concludes. “It got us through the Rugby World Cup, through drought, and everything else which has been thrown at it. You just can’t ask for more than that.”

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 X: @MM_Seed.

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.

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You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed

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Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed: Kim Blake, Course Manager at Fulford Heath Golf Club in Birmingham, has been at the forefront of maintaining and enhancing the club’s renowned parkland course for the past 36 years.

Kim’s dedication to innovation has helped the club thrive and stay competitive. A key component of his maintenance programme? The consistent success of MM seed products.

Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed

Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed

Fulford Heath, designed by James Braid, spans just over 6,200 yards with a par of 70. Its strategic layout features the River Cole, mature trees, and lakes, presenting golfers with challenges that reward skill and strategy. Maintaining such a course requires precision and quality, and Kim has found these attributes in MM seed.

“I started using MM9 15 years ago because of the HEADSTART® GOLD treatment,” says Kim. This revolutionary coating ensures rapid germination, which was a game-changer for Kim. “I wanted to shift our greens from 100% Poa annua to a 60/40 mix of bentgrass and Poa annua, so I began integrating MM9 with top dressing,” he added.

Kim’s approach evolved as he experimented with mixing MM9 with sand, then using a Graden machine. “One thing I found is that sowing the seed deeper—between 6mm and 10mm—yields better results. It’s a theory from my agricultural days: deeper sowing protects the seed from frost lift, preventing root break,” Kim explains. This technique, combined with MM9’s superior quality, produced impressive results.

Kim conducted multiple trials to test MM9 against various creeping bent mixtures. “We did half a green with MM9 and the other half with creeping bent and repeated this on different greens. MM9 consistently germinated a day quicker, thanks to the HEADSTART® GOLD coating,” Kim notes.

“An advantage of MM9 is cost-effectiveness. It’s more economical than creeping bent, allowing us to apply more seed per square metre, leading to a better strike and building a stronger seed bank in the soil. After 12 months, MM9 proved to hold its own better than other mixtures.”

For Kim, the right seed choice extends beyond greens. “We recently switched to MM50 on our tees because modern golfers take larger divots, and a pure rye mix stands up to this better,” he explains. MM50’s blend of fine-leaved ryegrasses creates a dense, resilient surface that recovers quickly.

On the fairways, Kim relies on MM22 for its durability and reliability. “It’s great for overseeding, renovation, and construction—areas that endure high wear,” Kim adds.

Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed

Fulford Heath’s Path to Perfect Turf with MM Seed

Kim has also modified his approach to sand usage and overseeding schedules. “We’ve reduced sand use from 120 tonnes to 40 tonnes annually and plan to reduce it further next year. Instead, we focus on biology to control thatch and organic matter. This makes the greens work harder, enhancing the bent seed’s performance,” says Kim.

He overseeds in February/March at 40 kg per hectare, using a Graden sand injection machine or a disc seeder. “We’ll do more renovation work in October but won’t overseed, as temperatures are too cold. Since prioritising biology over intense aeration and sand, the bents have improved,” Kim shares.

Kim’s approach balances simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and long-term benefits. “My goal is to make the job straightforward for the staff and cost-effective for the club. If it’s too complex or costly, nobody is happy. Continuous tweaking and adaptation are key,” he concludes.

With MM seed products at the heart of his programme, Kim has transformed the maintenance strategy at Fulford Heath, setting a benchmark for highly efficient course management.

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 X: @MM_Seed.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.