Tag Archive for: Seed

The Grass Seed That Changed the Game

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The Grass Seed That Changed the Game: Managing the expansive grounds of Warwick Schools Foundation requires precision and dedication, and Grounds Manager Duncan Toon relies on trusted solutions to meet these demands.

Recently, he found that MM Tetra Sport grass seed has become an essential part of his maintenance toolkit; ensuring top tier playing conditions for the schools’ varied sports facilities.

The Grass Seed That Changed the Game

The Grass Seed That Changed the Game

Duncan has overseen the grounds for just over six years, looking after Warwick Preparatory School, Warwick Junior School, The Kingsley School, King’s High School, and Warwick Senior School. These sites cover eight hectares of natural grass, a 3G pitch, two hockey pitches (with plans for a third), eight netball/tennis courts, three cricket squares, and various other sports surfaces.

He has long relied on high-quality grass seed mixes – particularly MM50 and MM60 – which he praises for their consistency and strong performance. However, a recent shift in his approach has led to the adoption of MM Tetra Sport – a mixture by MM Seed that has quickly become his go-to choice.

“I’ve always been a big fan and a long-term user of MM50 and MM60 grass seed”, Duncan shares. “However, more recently, I started using Tetra Sport by MM Seed because I was interested in the fact that tetraploids have deeper roots.” The MM Tetra Sport mixture, consisting of Tetraploid Ryegrasses, is designed for overseeding high-quality sports fields and caught Duncan’s attention for its many benefits – including strong root growth and enhanced drought tolerance.

Duncan first applied MM Tetra Sport to the main rugby pitches after an extensive renovation process: “We sprayed off the main rugby pitches, heavily fraise mowed, and removed most of the organic matter from the surface. We then seeded at 50g per square metre with the Tetra Sport”, he explains. “The seed germinated within four days, even though only one of the pitches had automated irrigation. On the pitch without automated irrigation, we used travelling sprinklers, but we still achieved the same germination.”

The results exceeded Duncan’s expectations: “I was really surprised because after about four weeks, we had a root down to about four inches, and I was really impressed with that. The vigour of the sward is incredible. Even when all the fixtures have taken place over the weekend, I come in on a Monday and the pitches still look immaculate.”

Duncan credits the success of MM Tetra Sport to recommendations from both Matt Gresty of MM Seed and Mark Allen of Agrovista Amenity. Reflecting on the qualities of the mixture, Duncan said “it became apparent that the Tetra Sport seed had everything I was looking for: good, deep rooting, drought tolerance, and a hardier look. It stands up very well to extreme weather conditions.”

He has since expanded the use of MM Tetra Sport across multiple pitches: “We’ve overseeded the middle of four heavily used pitches, and again, we had fast germination – even in colder temperatures. With the dry weather we’ve experienced recently, we still saw germination very quickly. The stand-up and vigour are impressive, and you can just see it standing strong.”

The Grass Seed That Changed the Game

The Grass Seed That Changed the Game

Maintaining a large and busy site means that time efficiency is critical for Duncan and his team. One of the key advantages of MM Tetra Sport is its drought tolerance, which reduces the need for frequent watering – an essential benefit for areas without automated irrigation systems. “Running travelling sprinklers takes a lot of time, and our schedule is very tight for watering,” Duncan explains. “If we can have a drought-tolerant plant that aligns with our schedule, it saves us a lot of time.”

Duncan now makes it a routine to overseed with MM Tetra Sport during half-term breaks. “MM50 and MM60 have always been reliable for me, but Tetra Sport has taken these particular sites to another level”, he adds.

His relationship with MM Seed and Agrovista Amenity has also played a crucial role: “I get very good support from both Matt Gresty and Mark Allen. Their guidance directs me in the right way, and it really helps,” he says.

For Duncan, the ultimate reward is more than just aesthetic appeal: “Presentation is key, but for me, it’s not just about how it looks; the best thing is to see a high-end game of sport played on a pitch performing to the best of its ability because we’ve produced a good surface.”

With MM Tetra Sport now firmly integrated into his maintenance regime, Duncan is confident that he has found the ideal solution for maintaining the exceptional standards of Warwick Schools Foundation.

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 Twitter/X: @MM_Seed.

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Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

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Sustainable seed solutions from DLF: 2025 sees an exciting shake up in the sustainable seed solutions available from DLF and visitors to stand 126 at BTME 2025 can be some of the first the find out what’s new.

Among the changes is the exciting introduction of Sybille – a new slender creeping red fescue cultivar, bringing its No.1 ranking for close mown turf to a number of mixtures across the updated Johnsons Sports Seed lineup. Also new is an expanded Ultrafine Rye range which promises fast establishment, high wear tolerance and aesthetic quality for the golf and bowls market.

Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

In their pursuit for ever-improved sustainability, DLF have introduced Sybille slender creeping red fescue. With its high density and disease tolerance, Sybille helps to supress unwanted weeds and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. Not just a good choice for the environment and your budget, Sybille features fine leaves and beautiful summer colour making it a top-class variety for low mown areas delivered with high visual quality.

Also of significant interest for turf managers is the expanded range of Johnsons Sports Seed Ultrafine Perennial Ryegrass (PRG) mixtures. Building on the success of J Ultrafine Rye 100, DLF has introduced additional 25% and 50% formulations to provide turf managers with versatile, sustainable options for golf and bowling greens. The incredibly high wear tolerance, bolstered by the exceptionally fine leaf and high shoot density of Duranova, also makes the Ultrafine PRG range ideal high-traffic areas like tees, fairways, pathways, tennis courts and cricket outfields.

Stand 126 is the place to learn more about other developments across the DLF portfolio, such as the increased UK wildflower production to support demand and the growth of their ProFlora and ColourBoost ranges which are ideal for increasing biodiversity and colour on the golf course. It is also where you can have your say in shaping seed mixtures of the future by taking part in DLF’s Disease Watch Programme. DLF are actively seeking feedback and insights on the types and severity of diseases you are witnessing to develop future research, trials and breeding programmes. Those that share their experiences are not only helping to improve the performance of seed mixtures of the future, they can also win some excellent prizes in the process.

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MM Seed at BTME

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MM Seed at BTME: As the pressure grows on greenkeepers to deliver exceptional playing surfaces, MM Seed provides the tools to meet modern expectations while championing sustainable turf management.

Visit Stand 126 at BTME to explore the innovative MM Golf range, designed to enhance every area of your golf course with high-quality, high-performing grass seed mixtures that support environmental goals.

MM Seed at BTME

MM Seed at BTME

Key MM Products to Explore at BTME:

NEW MM21 – A low-input mix for tees and fairways, blending Fescue and Ryegrass for a dense, fine surface with impressive wear tolerance and recovery. MM21 minimises inputs while maintaining vibrant summer and winter colour, aligning performance with sustainability.

MM13 – Featuring improved hard fescue, this mixture is perfect for overseeding or renovating tees, fairways, and roughs. With excellent drought resistance and low maintenance requirements, MM13 supports sustainable course management practices while delivering outstanding results.

MM50 – A reliable choice for high-wear areas like tees, fairways, and driving ranges. This fast-establishing, disease-resistant mix is not only ideal for overseeding and divot repair but also helps minimise disruption by establishing quickly and enduring all year round. MM50 continues to the lead the way in being one of the top overseeding mixtures in the greenkeeping industry.

Sustainability in Focus

MM Seed’s commitment to sustainability shines through its carefully developed mixtures. Products like MM12 and MM13 offer drought tolerance and reduced input requirements, making them ideal for fairways and roughs in light of changing climate conditions. For courses prioritising environmental stewardship, the MM Coastal Fescue mixture provides disease resistance and thrives in low-nutrient soils, reducing the need for fertilisers and water.

For links and heathland courses, where preserving natural habitats is essential, MM Seed offers specialised solutions that balance playability with ecological harmony. Sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on quality—MM Seed proves you can have both.

Discover More at BTME

From tees to greens and everywhere in between, MM Seed offers tailored solutions to elevate your course while reducing its environmental footprint. Don’t compromise—choose seed from the MM Golf range for purity, vigour, and the sustainability your course deserves.

Visit stand 126 to explore these mixtures in detail, ask questions, and find out how MM Seed can help your course stand out while staying green.

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 Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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

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MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

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MM11 Seed Sparks Revival: King George V Crown Green Bowling Club, one of the Midlands’ top teams, have found new life at their third home in a decade. After a series of relocations, the club has finally settled at the Selly Park Tavern in Birmingham, transforming an abandoned and overgrown bowling green into a superior playing surface, largely due to the expertise of Mark Allen, Technical Sales Manager at Agrovista Amenity, and the exceptional performance of MM11 grass seed.

The club’s journey to Selly Park Tavern followed a run of bad luck. Initially founded at the King George V pub, the club was forced to move to the West Midlands Police Sports Ground ten years ago. Yet, after a decade at the Edgbaston site, were recently ordered to vacate again to make room for more police activities.

MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

MM11 Seed Sparks Revival

Mark Allen recounted, “Luckily, a mile down the road, there was another green at the back of another pub, which was disused. The team that played there had folded five years prior, leaving the green overgrown.”

The task of rejuvenating this neglected venue was daunting. “When I first saw it in July 2023, it was in no condition for bowls—certainly not playable,” Mark explained. “We decided the easiest way was to start again.”

The transformation began on 1st September with an intensive renovation process. The green was cut back, vertidrained, deep scarified, heavily top dressed and overseeded with MM11 grass seed. “The seeding coincided with a 30-degree heatwave, which was ideal for germination. By September 12th, we were already making the first cut,” Mark described. “From then on, it just got better and better.”

Mike Pritchard, the club’s greenkeeper for over 25 years, praised the transformation. “The change has been unbelievable,” he said. “Mark’s plan helped us get everything prepared for the start of September.  By January, the stubborn areas were recovered, and we had managed to get grass cover all over.”

Mike attributed much of the success to the MM11 seed, which is a traditional fescue/bent mix that germinates quickly and provides excellent disease resistance.

The revival of the green was a collaborative effort. Birmingham Bowls contractor, Andy Hartwell undertook the initial renovation and club members, including Geoff Bagnall, dedicated countless hours to the project. “Without Geoff’s help, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Mike emphasised. “Everyone’s put a lot of free time into it.”

The transformation has been particularly special for Mike, given his deep-rooted history and family involvement with the club. “The club has been a massive part of my family over the years,” Mike shared. “It started with my father, who dragged me along in the early sixties. As soon as I turned 11, I started playing. Then I met my wife, got her involved, and now all three of my sons and even my grandson are part of it.” This personal connection made the successful renovation of the green at Selly Park Tavern even more meaningful for Mike.

Mark Allen’s extensive experience with MM grass seed mixtures, particularly MM11, proved invaluable. “I’ve used MM11 on countless bowling greens, and it always performs well,” Mark said. “The seed mix is disease-tolerant and produces a fine, dense sward ideal for bowls.”

Working closely with Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand Manager at DLF UK, and receiving continuous support from Agrovista Amenity, the club has set a new standard for bowling greens. “The green plays beautifully, and the bowlers love the fast speed,” Mark added. “What could have been a disastrous situation has turned out really well. Everyone at the club is fully invested, and so far, so good—they seem really happy.”

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 Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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

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Sustainable seed guaranteed as DLF return to GroundsFest

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Sustainable seed guaranteed as DLF return to GroundsFest: Sustainable seed solutions for lawns and landscapes are set to be showcased as the world’s largest grass seed breeders, DLF, return to GroundsFest.

Stand 30 will be the platform for visitors to find out more about mixtures across the Masterline, MM and Johnsons Sports Seed brands, alongside the very best the industry has to offer in both native and non-native wild flowers.

Sustainable seed guaranteed as DLF return to GroundsFest

Sustainable seed guaranteed as DLF return to GroundsFest

In many aspects of modern life, we are encouraged to be mindful of our impact on the environment – and this is certainly the case for turf managers across the sporting and amenity spectrum. Those looking to reduce inputs, without detriment to turf quality and performance can improve credentials through careful seed selection, such as opting for mixtures containing Microclover®. Visitors to GroundsFest can find out more about DLF’s Ecosward mixtures – specifically blended to reduce input costs and be kind to the environment by eliminating the need for excessive fertiliser, water and herbicide.

Incorporating 5% Microclover®, both PM26 Ecosward and PM27 Ecosward Plus from the Masterline range offer low-maintenance yet tolerant and visually attractive swards, ideal for landscape applications.

For those maintaining sports turf, thoughts are turning to autumn renovations, where speed of establishment is key. The larger seed and improved genetic vigour of DLF’s 4turf® tetraploid variety ensure fast germination and establishment in cooler temperatures, together with demonstrating increased tolerance to stresses such as cold, drought and a range of common turf diseases. 4turf® is incorporated into a number of popular autumn mixtures for sports turf, including J 4Turf 50 and J 4Turf 100 from the Johnsons Sports Seed collection.

The DLF technical team will be on hand to discuss the vast array of popular sports and landscape mixtures, together with the popular Pro Flora and ColourBoost wildflower ranges. DLF have significantly increased in-house production facilities during 2024 to meet the growing demand for conservation mixtures and promising greater capacity to support biodiversity projects. With over 25 mixtures available across the two collections, there’s something to suit all facilities and environments – whether the objective is native origin colour and interest, or high impact dazzling displays!

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