Tag Archive for: want

Third of Brits now want artificial grass banned

/in , /by

Third of Brits now want artificial grass banned: Artificial grass rose to popularity several years ago due to its cleanliness, consistently perfect aesthetic, and its ease to maintain. However, last year, data revealed that 24 per cent of people living in Britain would support a ban.

Just 12 months later, new statistics show this figure has now risen to 36 per cent in support of a full ban on the product – a rise of 50 per cent in just one year.

Third of Brits now want artificial grass banned

Third of Brits now want artificial grass banned

According to research from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, more than a third of people living in the UK want to ban artificial grass. This explains the drop in popularity for the product, with data from the company itself showing enquiries for artificial grass installation were down 48 per cent year on year in 2023. Google data supports this finding, with searches for the product down 20 per cent since 2023 – and 50 percent since 2021.

The new statistics show that support for a ban is universal across all age groups and is consistent for both men and women. Geographically there are some variations, with Scottish capital Edinburgh showing the strongest support. In Edinburgh, more than half (53 per cent) of residents would support a full ban. Manchester was the least supportive – although 32 per cent still stated that they would like to see the product banned. Other results included:

  • Cardiff 41%
  • Liverpool 39%
  • Plymouth 39%
  • Leeds 39%
  • Southampton 38%
  • London 36%
  • Birmingham 36%

MyBuilder.com ran the research across its European territories, which also showed strong support for a ban. Perhaps unsurprisingly, green-focused Netherlands residents stated they would like a ban. Results across Europe included:

  • Data from the Netherlands showed that 43 per cent of residents support a ban
  • Data from France showed that 26 per cent of residents would support the ban
  • Data from Germany showed that 31 per cent of residents would support the ban
  • Data from Austria showed that 30 per cent of residents support a ban

James Lewis, expert gardener from MyBuilder.com, said widespread negativity in the press, and concerns about how artificial grass affects wildlife, has caused concerns with homeowners.

“After an extremely wet 2024, Brits are understandably really worried about flooding and the damage it can cause to both property and gardens. Artificial grass has received a fair amount of negativity for the potential it has to increase any flooding risk.

“We’d advise anyone considering installing it to look at all the pros and cons, as there are still many benefits to the product.”

To help those thinking about it decide, experts from MyBuilder.com have compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of installing an artificial lawn.

Pros

  1. Looks aesthetically pleasing all year round

No brown spots, bald patches, or muddy puddles here! There’s no denying that an  artificial lawn looks nice and maintains its appearance, whatever the weather.

  1. No need for watering

No live grass equals no need for watering in the summer. Saves you time, and money, off your monthly water bill. Also useful when the inevitable hosepipe ban comes into play.

  1. Low maintenance

No mowing, no watering, no reseeding – there’s no doubt that an artificial lawn is easier to look after than a natural one.

  1. Easy to clean

We all know the risk of unseen pet poo and urine on our lawns, but with an artificial lawn you can easily hose it down to keep it sparkly clean.

Cons 

  1. Cost to buy and install

Although once in place it may save you money, buying and installing your artificial lawn is likely to be a several thousand-pound cost. The average cost for installation in an average size garden is between £1,200 to £2,500.

  1. Impact on natural habitat

Removing natural grass undeniably has a negative effect on the environment, with the loss of habitat for bugs and wildlife.

  1. Drainage implications 

Although this varies depending on product and installation, an artificial lawn does not drain as well as a real one. This can cause issues in areas where flooding is a problem, such as in new build estates built on previous flood plains, or in areas close to bodies of water.

  1. Can get too hot

Artificial lawns can get too hot for little feet and paws, causing blistering and burns. Vets from Joii Pet Care have recently warned owners that artificial grass can be perilous for pets, and advised caution when allowing pets onto it.

If you’re considering a garden project, MyBuilder have a helpful cost guide at https://www.mybuilder.com/pricing-guides/garden-landscaping-cost

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

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

If you want something done well, do it yourself!

/in /by

If you want something done well, do it yourself!: Scott MacCallum travelled to Northern Finland to find out more about Avant and their brand new battery technology.

Where better to develop new batteries than one of the northern-most locations on the planet? Avant are based in Tampare, Finland, 100 miles north of Helsinki, and a place which is renowned for being a bit chilly.

If you want something done well, do it yourself!

If you want something done well, do it yourself!

It is therefore perfectly suited to testing the extremes of new battery technology and, having developed a battery which can cope in such conditions, Avant has recently opened a new battery factory to product the power units to operate their sophisticated range of electric loaders.

“Following a lot of development we believe we have produced the perfect solution for our type of machine. Of course it is not the perfect solution for any kind of moving machine, but we don’t have a huge circumference to cover, compared to cars which need a huge infrastructure of for recharging points,” Avant CEO, Jani Käkelä, explained to Turf Matters.

“For us the electric vehicle are very viable as a solution of a way to create a machine with zero emissions. We don’t need a huge battery so the cost of the machine is still reasonable and then also the charging infrastructure doesn’t need to be too big. Overall the size of the machine has not altered from that of the diesel machine.

The Avant HQ, even taking away the stunning Nordic scenery, is impressive with the new battery factory fitting seamlessly into the overall plant, and it is the ability to produce their own batteries which is seen as a gateway to taking the company onto the next level.

The new OptiTemp battery packs feature a globally unique immersion lithium-ion technology offering Avant users several benefits.

The 4-module 27 kwh OptiTemp battery gives an electric Avant e5 loader twice the capacity of other loaders in its size class. With a 4-module battery it is possible to work the whole day with one single charge.

A globally unique thermal management system keeps the temperature optimised and gives you the same capacity in hot and freezing weather.

If you want something done well, do it yourself!

If you want something done well, do it yourself!

Rapid charging. Thanks to the structure of the battery, you can charge your battery in just one and a half hours with a rapid charger, which enables long workdays.

Unique solutions for safety – the structure and the immersion cooling system of the battery – guarantee 100% safe batteries. Avant has been producing compact loaders and attachments for over 30 years and they have risen to become the global market leader in their field.

But it was having worked with electric loaders and batteries for a number of years that the began to realise that there was no battery pack available to fulfil the needs of their loaders.

Since the battery factory – Avant Power, a subsidiary of Avant Tecno – was opened a few months ago he batteries now produced are truly fit for purpose – and fully capable of dealing with Finland’s extreme temperatures, but also in hotter temperatures in other parts of the world.

The new Avant e513 and Avant e527 loaders are almost identical, the only difference being the capacity of the batteries. The Avant e513 (13 kWh) is a good choice for short-term continuous use on cattle farms, horse stables, greenhouses or DIY and leisure time, for example.

The Avant e527 loader (27 kWh) with a larger battery is ideal for demanding professional use. Construction and demolition contractors will benefit from this model.

“For years, the market has been longing for fully electric loaders that would be more like diesel loaders in terms of functionality.

Until now, operating time and pricing have been key issues related to electric loaders, but with Avant’s new e series, we solve them both”, explained Jani.

DLF want to hear from you

/in , /by

DLF want to hear from you: As part of their extensive research and sustainable seed programme, DLF are inviting Turf Managers around the country to participate in a short survey to identify the variety and prevalence of fungal turf disease activity.

Input is required from all areas of fine and sports turf management, with the results helping to shape future developments of more tolerant seed varieties.

DLF want to hear from you

DLF want to hear from you

With the altering climate and changes to maintenance practices, there is a fear that new fungal diseases could appear or that known ones could become a more serious threat to turf quality. Therefore, to fully understand the current situation and provide solutions to the new challenges on the horizon, DLF would like to hear from you on your experience of recent disease activity. Feedback is sought from golf courses, winter sports facilities, schools/community surfaces, racecourses, polo grounds, amenity spaces and turf producers.

The link to the survey can be accessed here and should take no more than five minutes to complete: https://forms.office.com/r/XCHEfvmxT3

The fungal disease survey is just one of several research programmes currently underway across DLF’s global network, looking to create high performance, sustainable seed mixtures. Thanks to the incorporation of cultivars that improve turf quality and are kinder to budgets and the environment, without reliance on water and chemical inputs, DLF are providing solutions that deliver a sustainable surface without a compromise in visual merit or performance.

Findings from previous DLF trials are already proving pivotal in the field, including the identification of 4turf® and diploid perennial ryegrass varieties with enhanced tolerance to Brown Patch.

Incorporated into the Johnsons J Premier 4Turf 25 mixture, Head Groundsman at Reading Football Club Chris Last said, “July through to the end of September is our main disease pressure season and I could not be happier with how J Premier 4Turf 25 dealt with both Brown Patch and Grey Leaf Spot. We applied only one fungicide throughout the summer, when the GLS started to gain some momentum in early September, and while we unfortunately lost some diploids in the affected areas, the tetraploids held on and meant that to the untrained eye it was difficult to see where we had the fatal disease. Throughout the rest of the window, the enhanced plant health and strength meant I could treat disease with biologically friendly and cost-effective measures such as citric acid, phosphite’s and turf hardening fertilisers instead of using fungicide.”

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

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