Tag Archive for: Switch

East Devon switch to Foamstream

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East Devon switch to Foamstream: As part of their wider Climate Change Agenda, the team at East Devon District Council (EDDC) have switched to non-herbicidal weed control with Foamstream from Weedingtech.

In an attempt to improve the environment and move towards net zero, the council have eliminated the use of glyphosate in the management of a range of weed species in public spaces across the district.

East Devon switch to Foamstream

East Devon switch to Foamstream

EDDC is the largest of the Devon district councils, serving a population of over 150,000 residents and increases significantly during the summer months as visitors arrive to enjoy the beaches and countryside. “We see a big variety in the amount and type of weeds across the district” explains Horticultural Technical Officer Paul Fealey. “Perennial weeds, such as dandelion, tend to dominate landscapes in and around paved areas, with annual weeds such as groundsel and chickweed more prevalent in beds and borders in our formal parks and gardens. Despite having small root systems that can be easily uprooted by hand, they are high in quantity and spread very quickly so Glyphosate was traditionally sprayed throughout the growing season as a ‘quick-fix’ solution across our hard and soft landscape surfaces.”

“The teams understood that there was an environmental impact to their spraying and, with a Glyphosate ban imposed in 2022, we needed to explore all options to find something the team would be happy to adopt and that would deliver the same efficacy and efficiency as Glyphosate.”

12-months of data was presented as part of a herbicide audit, where Foamstream emerged as a viable solution. Foamstream’s patented low-pressure process combines hot water with a biodegradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars. The foam acts as an insulation blanket, preventing the heat from escaping and keeping the water in the ‘kill-zone’ of 57 degrees Celsius and above for longer. The heat penetrates the waxy outer leaf structures, travels down the stem and into the roots – killing or severely damaging the plant.

Paul’s findings were presented to EDDC StreetScene’s Operations Manager, Tom Wood. “We invited as many of the operatives along to the demonstration as we could and monitored the results over the next seven days. We were all blown away!” exclaims Tom. “As our district is split into East and West, we proceeded to purchase two L12 systems in May 2023, both with a 60m retractable hose which means that, with the unit mounted on the back of a flat-bed tipper, we can get the applicator wand exactly where we need it.”

“While it’s still relatively early days, we have already had fantastic feedback and are witnessing large areas of weeds killed within 24 hours of treatment” notes Tom. “While we tackle the build-up of weeds from last year’s Glyphosate ban, the two units are currently being used extensively but foresee that in 2024, intervals between treatments will extend by as much as 50%, with even our most problematic areas only treated at approximately 12-week intervals.”

“Foamstream sterilising spores and seed banks was another major benefit compared to some of the other non-herbicidal alternatives, which will help to break the ‘losing battle’ the teams have traditionally faced with the rapid life cycles of ephemeral weeds.”

Paul adds, “We are now well placed to control weeds in a way that is of benefit to our operatives, to the environment and to those across areas in the wider public realm.”

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Guernsey States Works switch to TinyLineMarker Pro X

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Guernsey States Works switch to TinyLineMarker Pro X: At the end of February 2023, Origin Amenity Solutions delivered their latest GPS guided robotic line marking machine, the TinyLineMarker (TLM) Pro X, to the States Works Propagation Unit in Guernsey.

Richard Langmead manages the Land Management section of States Works, where the team carry out grounds maintenance predominantly for States of Guernsey local Government which includes maintaining school grounds, parks and gardens, social housing, coastal areas, and cliff paths, as well as health properties including the main hospital.

Guernsey States Works switch to TinyLineMarker Pro X

Guernsey States Works switch to TinyLineMarker Pro X

 

Richard comments, “The primary use for the line marker will be to mark out sports pitches on our education sites. We will also be offering a service to other sports clubs on the island. My team used to mark out by hand using a manual line marking machine but this is time consuming and as our workload has grown so has the requirement for us to be faster and more efficient.  I decided to purchase the TLM Pro X robot for many reasons but mainly the efficiencies the robot will give us.”

Tiny Mobile Robots is marketed and distributed exclusively in the UK by Origin Amenity Solutions which brings together four leading industry names – Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, TurfKeeper.com and Symbio.

Packed with a range of brand-new innovative features, the TLM Pro X is an exciting new GPS robot designed to make line marking projects as streamlined and effortless as possible.

Richard adds, “As a business we were looking at ways to do tasks more efficiently and are always looking at technology to try and help with this. We came across the TLM Pro X on the internet. The potential cost savings on labour and the ability to have a pitch marking service that we could offer to other sports clubs on the island did appeal and fitted in with our business plans.”

“We have only just started using the robot, but it has already made the initial marking of the pitches much more efficient, and we certainly expect to see the savings in labour costs going forward.”

The TLM Pro X easily manages line marking from start to finish, whether it’s initial marking or overmarking. The robot runs on the ultra-reliable RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) network which means it doesn’t need a base station like some robots use. The robot will mark or remark  the pitch in the correct location every time, even if previous lines have disappeared. Once set up it incredibly simple to use and very reliable.

The TLM Pro X has over 200 customisable pitch templates which include sports pitches, athletic tracks, and parking.  “The ability to quickly and accurately mark out various pitch templates is a fantastic benefit to us.” Richard adds.

A popular new feature of the TLM Pro X is the multi-select tool and Richard agrees that it gives a “noticeable time saving.”  This tool gives users the ability to queue up multiple pitches to be marked out in a specific order of their choosing. The robot will then mark out the designated areas without having to recalibrate the robot each time. To help avoid problems, the robot displays the route it will take to mark out all queued pitches, so the user can ensure that the path is clear of obstructions for a seamless line marking project. As a part of this feature, the robot also gives an estimated time of completion as well as the distance to drive so users know when they can expect their project to be completed.

Working hand in hand with the Multi-Select Tool, the Low Paint Alert feature ensures no time is wasted due to running low on paint when sending the TLM Pro X off to mark multiple pitches in succession. When the robot is running low on paint, an automatic alert is sent to the user’s hand-held tablet notifying paint level is low. In addition, the robot will also send an alert if there is blockage which is preventing the robot from marking. “A simple yet time saving feature that is going to be incredibly useful to us” comments Richard.” “It means my team can carry out other jobs nearby while the robot does it thing, making us more productive and efficient. We don’t need to waste time monitoring the robot closely but are aware immediately when the paint is low, and we can top up before it runs out.”

The Origin Amenity Solutions team offer onsite training, maintenance, and general advice. Richards concludes by saying, “The communication with Simon Hughes and Glen Howard from Origin Amenity Solutions has been excellent, from the initial inquiry, right through to the training once we had purchased the robot, technical support is only a phone call away which is reassuring.”

Free demonstrations are being offered across the UK.  To book or enquire visit https://tinymobilerobots.com/tinymobilerobots-uk/

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Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

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Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream: Flete Estate, home to Mothecombe Gardens, have eliminated herbicide use and created a more environmentally friendly space for both people and pollinators, by switching to Foamstream from Weedingtech.

Sustainability has always been a focus for the family-run estate situated in a picturesque part of South Devon and now, under the management of John Mildmay-White, the site is another step closer to being completely organic and chemical-free.

Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

John took over the running of the estate from his father in 2019, which includes Mothecombe House, the public Mothecombe Gardens and a number of holiday cottages, boasting views of the beach and Erme estuary. “My father converted the home farm to organic in 1990 and my mother has been creating a haven for pollinators in the garden which is the legacy I am looking to build on” he explains. “One of the issues I was keen to tackle was the use of herbicides on areas like our gravel paths and around our holiday lets so I tasked our Head Gardener Martin Haxton with finding a viable alternative.”

Martin explains how, after trialling various alternatives, the team settled on Foamstream. “There are various tools and techniques that all claim to provide an effective non-herbicidal solution. We did some research and tried various options such as burning, which we found was very labour intensive, expensive and at the end of the day, not overly effective.” He adds, “There were lots of positives about Foamstream, firstly that it’s all organic and another is the ability to use it in all weather conditions which means you’re not reliant on the perfect weather conditions to conduct the operation.”

Foamstream is a green solution to weed and moss control, utilising a combination of hot water and a patented foam made from natural plant oils and sugars to retain heat and effectively kill a wide variety of weed species. In trials, Foamstream has demonstrated similar efficacy to glyphosate, outperforming other non-herbicidal alternatives. “It was clear during our research that Foamstream had been thoroughly tried and tested, in a range of situations and would give us the results we wanted” says John.

“We purchased an L12 in August 2022 and it’s been a brilliant investment. The set-up is quick and simple and operators have commented on how easy it is to move around the gardens meaning we can tackle weed growth in all areas thanks to the 20m hose and highly portable lance applicator.” John concludes, “We’re delighted with how well Foamstream works and how this will help in our drive to provide a cleaner environment for everybody, including wildlife, to enjoy.”

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Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

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Suståne supports switch to finer fescues: Boasting panoramic views over the sea and the South Downs National Park, Brighton & Hove is the oldest golf club in Sussex – its nine hill-top holes situated near the picturesque Devil’s Dyke.

Its location leaves the course exposed to the elements and has posed challenges for Course Manager Jason Sarna and his assistant Kevin Paynter as they work to reinstate some of the site’s downland and links qualities. The success of the project, Jason says, is largely down to improvements with the soil, and that’s thanks to products from Suståne.

Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

After working in various roles at the Maddens Resort in North Minnesota, Jason moved to the UK in 2000 and has been Course Manager at Brighton & Hove since 2007. “When I joined, the greens were predominately meadow grass and this was something I started working on straight away, to introduce more tolerant and sustainable species. I first spoke to Russell Riley eight years ago and began incorporating some Suståne products into my feeding programme and the benefits we saw to the finer grasses were instant.”

“I’m a big believer in feeding the soil, not the plant and working to create the environment which favours the species you want to encourage.” Jason’s greens programme revolves around regular granular feeds – 6-2-4 Turf Revival® as a kick-starter in the spring and following any renovation work, Suståne 5-2-4 applied every six to eight weeks in the main season and Bolster 4-4-4+3Fe as he reaches the more dormant winter months. This is then supplemented with Bolster™ Liquid Biostimulant, applied at 5L per 0.5 hectares every two to three weeks through the main growing season.

“As we’ve transitioned almost solely over to Suståne, we’ve noted deeper rooting, improved plant health and reduced disease pressure – having only applied three fungicides in the last five years.” Jason adds, “We conducted some renovation work in August this year, overseeding with a pure fescue blend for the first time. We applied Bolster™ 4-4-4 and within a week we had germination. Being able to create the conditions to favour fescues will complement the links characteristics and will help with the workload we have to manage as a small team.”

In addition to delivering results on the ground, Jason has also been impressed with the honest and transparent approach he’s had from the Suståne technical team. “With our conditions, we have to be careful about inputs and if I ask a technical question about a product, they have the answer (and more!) to hand. It’s the whole package.”

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Switch to Suståne keeps salt under control

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Switch to Suståne keeps salt under control: Boasting views of the Atlantic from every hole, Newquay Golf Club has been completing the postcard scenery with picture-perfect greens, thanks to their Suståne organic feeding programme.

After making the switch to Suståne three years ago, Course Manager Dan Kendle is reaping the rewards of the lower salt, organic approach across the 18 greens of the links course.

Switch to Suståne keeps salt under control

Switch to Suståne keeps salt under control

Dan has been at Newquay GC for just over six years and is supported by a team of three. While their Fistral Beach location is undeniably picturesque, the exposed nature brings challenges when it comes to maintenance. “As well as trying to promote traditional fescues, I am keen to explore moving to a more organic approach to reduce salt input and improve overall course sustainability” explains Dan. “I spoke firstly with our local Suståne distributor, Neil Rogers at AGS, who went through the options available and followed this up with support from Suståne’s Regional Manager Russell Riley which confirmed that we wanted to give it a go.”

Formulated especially to assist with the recovery of stressed areas, Dan has been applying Suståne’s
Turf Revival® 6-2-4 twice a year following their main maintenance periods in, normally, March and August. This is then supplemented with two applications of Suståne 5-2-4+Fe in early June and October on the greens, surrounds and aprons. “The results we’ve achieved have been fantastic and since making the switch we’ve definitely noticed an increase in our fescue populations year on year.”

Suståne Turf Revival® 6-2-4 provides complete macro and micronutrients for optimal plant establishment and quick green-up, followed by up to eight weeks of uniform growth and colour. The aerobically composted base material replenishes the soil with a rich supply of humus and mycorrhizal fungi, to improve the uptake of nutrients and boost overall plant health. Its naturally low salt index also allows for healthy root development.

“This combination seems to really suit our links conditions and is providing an excellent base on which to build with other areas of our maintenance programme. We have not experienced any negative effects by switching away from more traditional feeds, if anything the control this gives me over the salinity of my soil profile is a major plus.” Dan concludes, “We’ve been so pleased with the results we’ve had with using Suståne, and it’s a great step in the right direction in our eventual goal of becoming completely chemical free.”

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Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

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Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons: Backed with advice from two trusted industry contacts Richard Ponsford, Course Manager at Clevedon Golf Club, has been delighted with his switch to Johnsons Sports Seed.

The combination of Johnsons J All Bent on greens and J Rye Fairway has now been in use at the picturesque parkland course for two years, delivering results that means that Richard would never go back to using any other seed.

Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

When Richard joined the club in North Somerset just over two years ago, he very quickly built up a rapport with Johnsons Technical Manager Ian Barnett and Joe Hendy, his local distributor for AGS. “In this industry, the support and advice of colleagues goes a long way and knowing AGS is a key distributor of Johnsons, I was keen to explore the range.” With poa/bent dominated swards on sand-based greens, the first switch was to the Johnsons J All Bent mixture.

“We’ve overseeded with J All Bent, which contains Arrowtown and Manor, and it has done a fantastic job at reducing Poa annua invasion, increasing the bent content and thereby improving the playing speed of our greens. This autumn, I consulted again with my technical managers about one historical problematic green which was adversely affected by disease in the summer – the suggestion was rather unconventional, oversowing with J Premier Wicket. We needed something that would take well and become a nurse crop for the Arrowtown and Manor as we head into the cooler months. While we only put this perennial rye mix down at the end of October it has established well, and is growing in to give us coverage and strength for the winter.”

For their divot mix and overseeding on other areas such as tees and collars, Richard is using the hard-wearing J Rye Fairway mixture. “This delivers really quick establishment making it ideal for repairs. Our members carry divot bags with them, and they enjoy seeing the quick response they get from using the Rye Fairway mix on divot marks.”

At the time of writing, the second lockdown in England has seen play suspended for four weeks giving Richard and his team time to complete a bunker renovation project which commenced in October. “We’ve seeded the new bunker surrounds with the J Rye Fairway mix, instead of turfing them, which will be established and presenting well by the time members return for play, and will save us both time and money.”

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Reading Switch To Johnsons

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Reading Switch To Johnsons: Switching to a brand new grass seed after 10 years of using the same mixture is a big step, but one that Grounds Manager Adam Grantham made at both the Madejski Stadium and Reading FC’s training ground, Hogwood Park. Now into his second season, the switch to Johnsons Sports Seed J Premier Pitch is paying off, with the mixture delivering all of the qualities Adam looks for in creating top-rate surfaces.

“When I first took over the management of the stadium, as well as the training facilities, 4 years ago Johnsons was the seed of choice” explains Adam who has been with Reading Football Club for 14 years. “Although I could see what the Johnsons mixture was capable of, I kept with my head and stuck with the mixtures I was familiar with.” However, after hearing lots about the J Premier Pitch mixture Adam decided to trial it on one of the nine pitches at the training ground and were very happy with the results.

Reading Switch To Johnsons

“The response we got, compared to what we were using, was far superior in terms of the colour, wear and disease resistance – the key qualities – I was looking for. I also checked out the cultivars in the STRI book and when you see them all towards the top, you know you’re getting a good mixture.” Following the successful trial, Adam was happy to make the switch seeding all nine training pitches, as well as the Stadium pitch, with Johnsons Premier Pitch.

With proven performance at many of Europe’s leading stadia, J Premier Pitch contains top-rated cultivars including Eurodiamond, to deliver a sward with exceptional wear tolerance, density and rapid recovery. In addition, the rapid establishment means it can be ready to mow in as little as three weeks. It is also now available with DLF’s ProNitro seed coat technology.

Reading Switch To Johnsons

“We’ve kept all other elements the same, the seed is fed the same, but we’ve seen a great improvement in the quality of the pitches.” Content with his switch, Adam now has the consistency that is required throughout the year thanks to the Johnsons mix.

For further information visit www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

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