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INFINICUT® FL22 proves to be a silver lining

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INFINICUT® FL22 proves to be a silver lining: An INFINICUT® FL22 was purchased by the team at Stanedge Golf Club to equip the Derbyshire venue with a mowing solution for periods of wet weather… and in reality, its delivery in the autumn of 2023 could not have been more timely!

The prolonged and persistent rainfall has seen Head Greenkeeper Lee Williams and his team turning to the INFINICUT® to maintain HOC and presentation while the triple green mowers are resigned to sheltering in the shed.

INFINICUT® FL22 proves to be a silver lining

INFINICUT® FL22 proves to be a silver lining

Located in the picturesque Peak District, the moorland/parkland course like many has seen unprecedented rainfall levels over the last six months. “With no ability to control what mother nature throws at us, all we can do is equip ourselves with the tools and techniques to be able to deliver surfaces no matter the weather” explains Lee, who took over as Head Greenkeeper two years ago. “We knew that we needed to look at hand mowers and spoke to our local dealer Balmers GM about the options available. We trialled the INFINICUT® and were sold straight away! The quality of cut was unbelievable, like nothing we’d ever used before.”

The floating-head FL22 forms part of the INFINICUT® golf range, designed to deliver the ultimate precision for fine-turf surfaces. Engineered to suit the specific set of requirements needed for modern golf-course maintenance, the FL22 is equipped with INFINICUT’s SMARTCut™ cylinder reels, produced in-house and dynamically balanced for unbeatable accuracy.

“On top of the quality of finish, the fact that the INFINICUT® is battery-powered has been another big plus-point for us. While it wasn’t a necessity initially, we have now all-but eliminated issues with noise and vibration levels, as well as saving ourselves money on fuel.” Lee continues, “John Hobbs at Balmers was excellent at getting us all set up, including showing us the many features of the INFINIApp which we’ve been enjoying using and is just another thing that makes the INFINICUT® stand out from the competition.”

At the time of writing, Lee explained that softer ground conditions had seen the club unable to use the triple green mowers this year to date. “The fact we’ve been able to get out twice weekly and in any breaks between showers with the INFINICUT® has been critical. I’d love to be able to hand mow year-round but with such a small team we are limited by our resources, however, should we be able to go down that road it would be an INFINICUT® fleet without doubt!”

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Floors Castle turn to Foamstream

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Floors Castle turn to Foamstream: A Foamstream L12 system is delivering effective non-herbicidal weed control and labour savings too, for the team at Floors Castle.

Tasked with keeping on top of a variety of weed species within the picturesque grounds and gardens, Head Gardener Simon McManus explains how together with significantly reducing the time spent hand-weeding, the L12 has also been utilised as a cleaning system to give the Castle a perfect photo finish.

Floors Castle turn to Foamstream

Floors Castle turn to Foamstream

Described as ‘The Gem of the Scottish Borders’, Floors Castle is the centrepiece of the beautiful Roxburghe Estate, built in 1721 and today welcoming visitors from far and wide to explore and enjoy its scenic surroundings – including approximately four acres of ornamental grounds and gardens. “The walled garden comprises four big herbaceous borders and we also have a small vegetable garden as well as private gardens which aren’t open to the public – all needing to look good year-round” explains Simon, who has been at Floors Castle for almost twenty years.

With just a team of three, plus himself, the facility were in need of both a quicker and more environmentally-friendly weed control method to traditional treatments with chemicals and labour-intensive hand-weeding. “We took delivery of our L12 unit from Weedingtech last year after an impressive demonstration. As a new technology I have to admit there was some initial scepticism but the results of the trial spoke for themselves and since our purchase, we have only discovered more and more benefits!”

The active ingredient in Foamstream is hot water, insulated by a 100% organic, plant-based foam which keeps the water in the kill-zone for long enough to effectively eliminate a range of weeds and other unwanted vegetation. The ‘plug and play’ L12 delivery system is compact and portable, with a range of wand options making it ideal for all areas and applications.

“It’s used regularly throughout the spring and summer. We went out one day in April to treat a border thick with weeds which would have previously taken the four of us a day to clear. One two-hour treatment with Foamstream and by the next morning it’s all dead. It’s also fantastic at killing moss and algae which were becoming a problem to treat around the site with the ongoing withdrawal of chemical solutions.”

Simon continues, “Over the winter when the weeds are less of an issue, we found we could use the L12 as a pressure washer to clean the roof of the glasshouses – and it did another brilliant job! It’s clear this machine is going to become a key part of our overall maintenance programme.”

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GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

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GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand: GroundsFest 2024 is gearing up for its second year with remarkable growth and expansion.

With an impressive 90% rebook rate from 2023 exhibitors and many new first-time exhibitors, it’s clear that GroundsFest has become a must-attend event for industry professionals. The increased demand has led to significant expansion to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors and attendees.

GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

The Outdoor Grand Ring, which now incorporates additional space, is completely sold out and only one spot remains available in Outdoor Areas A and B. Ring B, which is now the first accessible area upon visitors’ entry to the show, has undergone significant expansion to accommodate the increasing demand from exhibitors. Inside, there are only four stands remaining in Hall 1.

This growth is further evidenced by the increase in the number of exhibitors, with 212 already signed up compared to 171 in 2023. What’s more, over 70 new companies have committed to joining GroundsFest 2024, making it the largest event of its kind in the UK.

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, expressed his excitement about the event’s growth, stating, “It’s truly remarkable to see GroundsFest expanding at such a rapid pace in just its second year. The overwhelming response from exhibitors speaks volumes about the value and impact of the event within the industry. We’re committed to providing a platform that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors.”

GroundsFest 2024 is shaping up to be the highlight of the year. Behind the scenes, the team is working tirelessly to introduce even more hands-on interactive features that have never been seen at a trade show. From innovative hands-on demonstrations to educational seminars and live music, GroundsFest offers a unique and immersive experience that sets it apart from traditional trade shows.

As GroundsFest continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to providing a platform where industry professionals can connect, learn, and see the latest innovations. With its rapid expansion and commitment to innovation, GroundsFest is leading the way in shaping the future of trade shows.

GroundsFest is also committed to investing in the future of the grounds management industry through the GroundsFest Education Fund. The Education Fund offers students financial support for essential items such as course materials, tools, and even driving lessons. Additionally, students can take advantage of accredited training courses covering a range of subjects vital to the industry’s operations.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Laser Grader takes services to the next level

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Laser Grader takes services to the next level: There’s no denying that with more than 20 years of greenkeeping experience under his belt, James Camfield is well placed to deliver on the consultancy services offered by Golf Course Management Services Ltd.

Now, with a Redexim Laser Grader on his fleet, he’s got the right tool at his disposal to deliver the practical precision and first-class finish demanded for fine turf renovations and beyond as this Hertfordshire based outfit look excitedly to the future.

Laser Grader takes services to the next level

Laser Grader takes services to the next level

Offering an alternative to traditional consultancy, James Camfield established Golf Course Management Services Ltd in January 2021 to provide guidance and hands-on support at each or every stage of a maintenance, renovation or construction project. While it’s still relatively early days, James has already built a highly-experienced team of three and has undertaken projects for a number of prestigious golf courses including Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club – where the drainage and renovation of two tee boxes triggered the purchase of a Laser Grader 1500 from Redexim.

James explains, “I am proud to work collaboratively and in a way that is efficient and cost effective for the customer. This means our clients will often procure the materials and machinery for larger projects but there’s some tasks that require something specific if we’re going to achieve that perfect end result. Levelling tees is one of those examples, where a string line and rake will only get you so far… I had experienced the Laser Grader, I knew Redexim was a quality brand and had no doubt this would be the perfect solution. I have not been disappointed!”

As the name suggests, the Redexim Laser-Grader 1500 utilises a laser receiver to accurately control working depths and grades to produce a perfectly level finish for the next stage of any turfing project. The 1.5m working width of the Laser Grader is ideal for use on tees and other fine turf surfaces and is available with an integrated engine or without an engine – the model James opted for, enabling the team to draw power from their Kubota compact tractor for optimal power to weight ratio.

“We had fantastic support from Paul Thomas and Paul Langford at Redexim, alongside David Fisher at George Browns Ltd at every stage of the purchase and combined gave us the confidence to invest. We’ve been so impressed by it; the build quality is fantastic and it’s straight forward to set-up and use.” He continues, “We started off working on a couple of trial plots – graded with a 1% fall, then got the spirit level out and it was absolutely spot on!”

“It’s accurate, it’s efficient and importantly it’s versatile. Alongside golf courses, we’re also getting enquiries for work on cricket wickets and tennis courts which I believe is testament to the results we’ve already delivered with the Laser Grader and leaves us excited about the new doors this machine can open for us.”

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Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

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Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding: British people are wasting £2.9 million on their gardens, thanks to a low understanding of their flood risk, according to new data published today by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry.   

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Brits spent £17.6 billion on their gardens last year – an average of £402 per UK adult – but a low awareness of their flood risk means they’re currently wasting £2.9M on their gardens, which are being battered by heavy rain and surface water flooding.

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.

With February 2024 being the wettest on record for over 250 years and 1 in 4 homes in the UK at risk of floodingi, this National Gardening Week Flood Re wants people to start getting smart about their garden spending.

High Risk, Low Awareness 

The data also reveals only 5% of people living in high-risk areas could correctly identify their flood risk. Worryingly, 68% of people in high-risk flood areas think their flood risk is low. This low awareness of flood risk means green fingered Brits are at risk of investing time and money in their gardens that could be washed way.

The research shows Brits are not taking the crucial steps they need to protect their homes and gardens. Indeed, 90% of homeowners, rising to 93% in high and mid flood risk areas, haven’t taken any steps to make their homes and gardens more flood resilient. Despite the extreme weather conditions, this doesn’t look to be changing, with only 9% of homeowners planning to add flood resilience measures to their homes and gardens in the next year.

Furthermore, almost half (46%) of people in high and mid flood risk areas said flood risk had “no impact at all” on where they have chosen to live.

Flood Devastation 

The picture couldn’t be more different for those who have experienced flooding in their home and garden, with 62% claiming risk of flooding has since impacted where they choose to live.  With 41% of those who have experienced flooding considering implementing flood resilience modifications (compared to only 4% of Brits who haven’t experienced flooding), Flood Re is on hand to offer easy, cost-effective ways to smartly invest in your garden as a flood prevention tool.

Gardens are an important and cost-effective first line of defence to flooding. Properly managed, domestic gardens can channel, absorb and store large quantities of water, which means the risk to buildings and property is mitigated. The risk of localised and downstream flooding is reduced too.

From Roots to Resilience 

Choosing a variety of plants such as willow, water mint and astilbe can help ensure your garden can thrive in varying water conditions and withstand the challenges posed by climate change, from drought to inundation.

Similarly, slowing the flow of water into your garden will significantly reduce local flooding risks by diverting rainwater away from infrastructure, easing the burden on drainage systems and avoiding costly upgrades down the line.

To demonstrate how to harness your garden’s natural flood resilience, Flood Re are teaming up with leading garden designer Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade and, to unveil the Flood Resilient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The garden has been carefully designed to show how people can protect their gardens and homes against extreme weather and learn how to increase their flood resilience from the ground up.

Build Back Better

In the event of a flood, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme allows eligible customers with specific home insurers to receive up to £10,000 as part of a claim.

The amount is meant for home and garden improvements that go beyond basic repairs, focusing on enhancing the property’s resilience against future floods.

Andy Bord, Chief Executive Officer, Flood Re said: “The research clearly shows there is a job to be done to educate people about their flood risk. Gardens are cherished spaces that bring joy to so many of us, so why wouldn’t we want to not only protect them from harm but actively harness their power to prevent them from future damage? Your garden can be both beautiful and resilient to extreme wet weather. We’re hopeful this research and the Flood Resilient Garden will help people think about their flood risk and consider the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and help reduce destruction and distress to their home when a flood hits.”

Dr. Ed Barsley, Environmental Design Expert said: “The research clearly shows that the majority of people aren’t aware that their garden or home is at flood risk of flooding until it’s too late. However, what’s positive to note is that there are a variety of practical and cost-effective measures that gardener owners can take to save themselves emotional and financial stress further down the line.”

Nikki Stocks, 63 from Lancashire said: “In the chaos of the flooding, I felt overwhelmed, unsure of how to safeguard my home and happiness due to financial restrictions. It’s affected my mental health because now I’m always anxious when it rains and how bad it could get for my home”.

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