Weed Free - Contract Pesticide Application Services

Japanese Knotweed - biological control planned for release in 2010

2009-07-24T10:40:37+01:00

Defra is seeking the public's views on the introduction of Japanese-knotweed-eating insect Aphalara itadoria to the UK to help control Japanese knotweed. Research Scientists have identified an insect that keeps the superweed under control in its native home of Japan and think it could do the same in Britain. If the plan gets the go-ahead, the insect could be released next summer. This would be the first time that biocontrol - the use of a natural enemy to control another pest - has been used in Europe to fight a weed.

The release would initially take place at a small number of sites before a wider introduction in England and Wales.

The Government is considering an application for a licence to release the psyllid at a small number of sites to begin with, eventually rolling out across England and Wales, after research found the psyllid is unlikely to eat native plants as well.

CABI research head Dr Dick Shaw said: "In the case of Japanese knotweed, doing nothing is not an option, so we are applying a century-old technique to a new target and are very hopeful of an effective and sustainable outcome."

Japanese knotweed is native to Japan, Taiwan and China, and was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant in the early 19th century. It is a large vigorous weed that appears to have no natural enemies in Britain. It can colonise most habitats and is regarded as a troublesome pest in many parts of the country because of its rapid invasion and domination of habitats, which results in the exclusion of other plants. It can damage property (for example by growing through tarmac or even the floors of houses) and therefore needs to be cleared from development sites. The species also causes problems in terms of flood management. It increases the risk of riverbank erosion when the dense growth of the plant dies back in the autumn exposing bare soil. It can also create a flooding hazard if the dead stems are washed into the streams and clog up the channel. A fragment of root as small as 0.8 grams can grow to form a new plant. Eradicating the plant using conventional methods was estimated at £1.56bn in 2003.

Defra said insect is "effective and environment-friendly". Defra stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

If you are a land owner and you have Japanese Knotweed on your lawn, you must control the weed and also take adequate precautions in the disposal of the treated but dead vegetation so as to contain the spread of the weed. You can read more about eradication methods here.

The Environment Agency has drafted a Japanese Knotweed Code of Practice to help land and home owners who have the weed on their land.

Credits - BBC & Horticulture Week

National Weed Control Week

2009-05-14T16:53:48+01:00

Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 April 27, 1882) was a famous American essayist and one of America's most influential thinkers and writers. His famous quote is 'What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered'.

National Weed Control Week (11th-17th May) is all about taking back control of your Garden and in order to help you do this we have some top tips to help keep those weeds at bay'

Professional Turf Managers know a lot about weed control, especially selective weed control on their fairways and sports pitches.

Should you have a need for the supply and application of selective weed killer, please email The Weed Free Team who will be happy to provide a written estimate by return.

You can view a technical post on Selective Weed Control

Wembley Head Groundsman sacked over criticism of pitch

2009-04-29T13:21:11+01:00

The Institute of Groundsmanship slams the decision to sack the Wembley Head Groundsman following criticism of pitch by football's Ferguson, Wenger and Capello reports by Jez Abbott from HortWeek.com on 27 April 2009.

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IoG) has responded with dismay at the sacking of Wembley Head Groundsman Steve Welch following the disastrous state of the pitch.

IoG chief executive Geoff Webb said: "We were very disappointed to learn that Steve Welch was relieved of his post following a media furore over the state of the pitch.

"Having followed Steve's progress since taking on the role in 2005 I have always been impressed by his professionalism and dedication to what is indisputably one of the most difficult jobs in the industry"

The Football Association refused to comment but a press spokesman was reported to have said an official statement was due later this week. Repeated phone calls to the Wembley press office went unanswered. On 24th April the F.A Web site gave an update on the pitch at Wembley. "Wembley Stadium has this week conducted a thorough review of its playing surface, subsurface conditions and pitch maintenance programme. As a result of this review which followed Monday’s press statement, it has been decided to bring forward the replacement of the existing pitch and the layer underneath the pitch. The replacement pitch will be from a new turf nursery and will be of a different composition that is better suited to Wembley Stadium’s unique environment. The next event at Wembley Stadium is The FA Trophy between Stevenage Borough and York City on Saturday 9 May. Wembley Stadium is a multi purpose venue and needs to be able to offer both a quality playing surface and a quality calendar of events. The pitch has always been and will continue to be at the heart of the stadium and of the business". A strange comment as I thought Pop Concerts were.

Welch was named Named Groundsman of the Year in 2002 and was widely respected by industry peers, said Webb.

"Is this a case of trial by media and scape-goating or a necessary move by Wembley management? We look forward to hearing Steve's side of the story in the future."

The pitch has taken a pasting in recent months from some of the highest profile managers including England Manager Fabio Capello, Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Last week Wembley said it would returf the pitch, also used for concerts and other sporting events like speedway. The hectic scheduling of rock concerts and other events restricted the type of surface it could use.

Every Turf Manager knows that you cannot play football on a newly turved football pitch until the roots have had the chance to establish in the soil to a suitable depth. Re turfing every time if there is a potential problem or problem is not solving it. Although a managed turf nursery will provide almost identical turf, the schedule of events on the pitch at Wembley do not provide establishment time. Blaming the turf grower for the demise of the pitch is just unfair. Getting turf from a different turf nursery or grower will just duplicate the problem.

It is about time the Board of Directors at Wembley recognised the fact that they must build in growing time for a newly turved pitch. With the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Everton on Saturday 30th May 2009, there is hardly sufficient time for the new turf to establish. Expect turf lifting in the penalty spot again...

In the mean time, we are full of support of all Institute of Groundsmanship Members and wish Steve Welch every success gaining suitable employment within the Turf Care Industry.

We also note that The Sports Turf Research Institute The Sports Turf Research Institute has been brought in to consult on the Wembley Stadium following the decision by the Football Association to dig up its pitch. The new Wembley Stadium pitch will be ready for the FA Trophy final on 9 May. The turf has been re-laid five times since the stadium re-opened in 2007 after a £750m development.

If only those in charge listed to their Head Groundsman and respected his/her professionalism from the onsett. Is that not the reason why they employed them in the first place to manage the pitch? The problem is that like so many other sporting venues across the UK, it is the Accountants who seem to know best and they just cannot resist free tickets for a Pop concert. The IOG run some great courses on Football Pitch maintenance - perhaps those in charge of Wembley should see if they can book up on one - they might learn something to their advantage and then they might understand what their employed Head Groundsman is telling them.

Campervan supports heathly turf

2009-04-17T16:05:03+01:00

Readers of this blog site are really into their turf and grass and the great outdoors! One of my friends always seems to get caught up in the SALTEX exhibition traffic preventing his normal travel to the office each morning during a big international ground care event held each September. He moans 'Lots of people knowledgeable about grass, standing in a grass field. talking about grass.' We live in a green and pleasant land, made better by those who know a lot about grass!

In the current economic downturn, it is nice to see some of the new green shoots of spring in a new business concept that has a wide appeal. The same green shoots of spring that no one in Parliament is allowed to comment on.

These new water cooled engine retro campervans are able to run on green bio fuel and so helping your carbon footprint whilst driving the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, seeking new adventures. The company behind www.campinaVDub.co.uk, Karma Kampers also promote their green credentials by using special turf friendly ground sheets in their drive away awnings, purpose made for the VW Camper Vans in their fleet of three campervans called Patsy, Wilf and Daisy!

They are ideally located for travel around South East England from their base close to junction 3 of the M3. An easy jaunt down to the New Forest, Cotswolds, or a scenic drive and stay in and around Surrey, Hampshire or Berkshire. They are full members of the Caravan and Camping Club permitting full use of their facilities on your travels.

Take a look at their web site and you never know, soon you could be reliving your youth or attending one of the many outdoor music festivals. If you are a Marketing or PR person, the vehicles are available for advertising and promotional events - how much fun is that?

Just tell them that you saw the campervans featured on Weed Free - Home of The Spraying Mantis.

We were wondering if you could mount a set of spray booms on the front! Makes working away from home interesting for sure! If you normally camp at IOG SALTEX - why not consider renting one of the campervans and use the excellant camping facilities at The Royal Windsor Racecourse for the duration of the show. They also make quick and easy and convenient exhibition trailers - you can even make a cup of tea!

Spring into selective weed control in turf

2009-03-23T11:29:19+00:00

I saw the very first Dandelion in flower yesterday on a lawn. Surrounding it, were Daisies enjoying the spring sunshine. Spring arrives early this year. While March 21st is traditionally the first day of spring, the astronomical event that marks the turn of the seasons – the Vernal Equinox – occurs at 11.44 on Friday the 20th March.

As their name suggests, the two equinoxes of spring and autumn are the points when day and night are of equal length – at least north or south of the equator, where light and dark are a lways in balance.

Everything starts to gather speed now. The grass is finally colouring up and putting on its' spring growth spurt and the weeds are coming out of their winter slumber.

If you have a lot of weeds that have over wintered, now is the time to think about selective weed control application. You normally get two periods of weed activity in a normal year. The broadleaf weeds such as Cat's Ear, Plantains, Daisies, Dandelions to name a view of them will easily over winter in the turf. These need to be killed early on before the second turf weed season starts when you get the Red, White Clovers, Yellow Suckling Clovers and Trefoils appearing in around May time.

I was asked over the weekend by a neighbour why selective herbicides kill weeds and not the grass. I told him that the biologial make up of weeds and grasses is different. The weeds, like trees and shrubs have Cambium Cells. These cells provide support in the main trunk and branches of the tree or weed. The selective weed killer is a growth hormone that mimics the actual growth hormone 'Gibberelline' - the plant hormone responsible for secondary thickening. The selective turf herbicide is absorbed by the weeds and after a while, the weeds go into super growth, with their stems twisting and distorting. The weeds actually outgrow themselves and when their overall structure has literally had it, they die. Grasses do not have Cambium Cells so although they might absorb some of the chemical, it has no affect - if applied correctly in the first place!

One of the other early flowering turf weeds is Slender Speedwell, which exhibits tiny blue flowers. It is a challenge to kill it and early application of a selective herbicide is advisable. Once it has finished flowering, control is said to be too late.

If you are a lawn owner and need advice please visit our Lawn Blog and a Professional Turf Manager, please Email the Weed Free Team for some advice or service.

Vitax launch 'Esteem' - Selective Weed Killer for Golf and Fine Turf

2009-02-17T16:52:29+00:00

Vitax have announced the arrival of a new selective weed killer, suitable for golf greens and fine turf areas.

'Esteem' sets the standard in outstanding control of difficult weeds in managed amenity turf, whilst maintaining excellent safety to turf grass species. It contains a very powerful 3 - way mix of herbicides which controls a broad spectrum of weeds including Creeping Buttercup, Plantain, Daisy, Dandelion and White Clover.

Re-seeding of sprayed areas is possible after 6 weeks with a wide application window and rainfast after 1 hour following application. It is a water based weedkiller for managed amenity turf with low odour and a low application dose rate of only 3 litres per hectare in a spray volume of 200 litres to 400 litres per Hectare and a medium spray pattern to assure even coverage of the target weeds.

The active ingredients are Clopyralid 35 g/l + MCPA 175 g/l + 2,4-D 150 g/l

® 'Esteem' is a Registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

Available pack size: is 2 litres

Always read the label: Use pesticides safely

The (COSHH) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations may apply to the use of this product at work.

Contact Vitax for more information.

Getting the right advice to a turf culture problem

2009-02-17T14:15:03+00:00

Turf Managers are always faced with challenges in their daily work, mostly from the perils of the prevailing weather, making their work harder. Advice may be sought from an amenity turf care products supplier or distributor, relating to one of their fertilisers or chemicals or from a professional body such as the Sports Turf Research Institute or the Institute of Groundsmanship. The majority of advice comes from word of mouth or from fellow turf managers on their local patch. There are a lot of amateur volunteer groundsmen and groundswomen out there, looking after cricket clubs, tennis clubs, bowls clubs and football clubs. They are not paid for their work in support of their sport club or sport facility and may not have received much practical or technical training. Where do they or can they turn for advice when they need it?

Last week, I visited a local sports facilty and met the Croquet Section Committee and discussed the renovation of a set of Croquet Lawns. The employed Groundstaff looking after the estate were fine when it came to the shrubs and flowers but not specialised in turf management, the formal lawns or the fine turf areas.

During my discussions with the Croquet Secction Committee, it became apparent that they had been incorrectly advised over the previous few years with the net result of diminishing grasses making up the playing surface of the Croquet Lawns. An Advisor within the Sports Turf Industry, you would hope, would be in the know when it comes to the needs and requirements of turf grasses, relevant to the sport played on a particular surface. It appears not. Now there is a need for the Croquet Lawns to be completely renovated to restore the playing surface in time for the start of the 2009 Croquet season. It was evident that the people present at the meeting were impressed with our indepth knowledge of the problems their playing surface was experiencing enough to award a contract for the renovation of the same performed by The Lawn Company

What annoys us is why did it come to this in the first place, especially when a considerable budget has been spent on the sports surface over the previous three or so years. Having dedicated, enthusiastic and knowledgeable is so important but receiving poor advice from a so called turf professional is inexcusable and unprofessional and gives the Industry a bad name.

There are many short weekend courses run by The Institute of Groundsmanship, relevant to the playing surfaces under your control. They are presented by IOG Members who are qualified but who also possess a lot of hands on practical knowledge on their chosen subject.

At Weed Free and our sister company The Lawn Company, we have over 27 years of hands on practical, technical and commercial experience, gained in the UK Sports Turf Industry. We are always happy to give out small snippets of advice free of charge and our Blog is conviction of this. Should you need more indepth consultancy on a particular turf culture or sports turf management or maintenance problem, please contact us or fill in the enquiry form.

View our Turf Consultancy Service

STRI - Top Ten Technical Queries in 2008

2009-02-11T17:19:16+00:00

The Sports Turf Research Institute based in Bingley, West Yorkshire, in their recent publication - Turfgrass Bulletin dated January 2009 have confirmed the top ten turf problems that their turf advisory service received calls on from Turf Managers seeking their input in the last 12 months.

The list makes interesting reading. Remember that we are talking professional to professional but a lot of Turf Managers rely heavily on the technical visits from their regional STRI Agronomist each year to review past maintenance practices and come up with a forward plan for the next year, dependant upon the demands of the playing surface and sport played on it/them.

The needs of a cricket club or bowls club will be totally different to that of an 18 hole golf course. To be honest, most turf grass plants will suffer from turf grass diseases much like a lawn and common lawn pests too in any one year.

Ruth Mann, Head of Turfgrass Proection from The STRI states in the article that all the calls they received were based around 'Can you identify this pest, weed, disease or how can I control it'. Now her Team are getting into deeper technical discussion on modes of actions of pesticides, or turf grass care products such as the growth regulator Primo Maxx.

Top of the queries in 2008

1. Earthworms
2. Red Thread Disease
3. Primo Maxx
4. Fusarium Disease
5. Dollar Spot Disease
6. Yellow Turf
7. Weeds
8. Fairy Rings
9. Nematodes
10. Anthracnose Disease

Please follow the links to view a Technical Document on the particular turf problem or a turf advice page.

Should you want to see additional topics covered, please let us know.

Peter Todd of The London Golf Club elected new BIGGA Chairman

2009-01-23T14:25:30+00:00

Organisers and exhibitors at the recent BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate held this past week are breathing a collective sigh of relief as Harrogate Week ends, with many saying that the event had well exceeded their expectations.

BIGGA chief executive John Pemberton said that, in advance, there had been ‘apprehension and concern’ about the impact that the present economic climate would have. In the end, the training and education programme had been better attended and more successful than ever while exhibition attendance figures, although down on last year, would still be around 6,000 for the week.

The exhibition had got off to a relatively slow start on the Tuesday morning reports Geoffrey Russell, Mananaging Director of Golf Business News. This may have been caused by many visitors electing to travel to Harrogate on the first morning of the event, thus saving on accommodation costs. By midday, however, the exhibition halls (reduced from five to four this year because of the biennial absence of some of the major machinery suppliers) were as crowded as ever and on Tuesday and Wednesday nights the town’s hotels achieved much higher occupancy rates.

The seminar programme this year included several that were free of charge and at many of these there was standing room only. Newly elected chairman of BIGGA, Peter Todd, a long standing client of Weed Free from The London Golf Club, said that this year he had sent more of his staff to attend the education programme than he had in 2008. “In this climate,” he said, “it’s even more important to up your game to meet the challenges ahead.”

We wish Peter every bit of success over the next 12 months as Chairman of BIGGA.

Leatherjacket Larvae - spotting the first signs of activity in the spring

2009-01-21T14:55:13+00:00

Spring will soon be around the corner and the grass roots will be growing. What you do not want to happen is for these great new roots and existing grass roots to be eaten by Leatherjacket Larvae - the young of The Crane Fly or Daddy Long Legs.

It is not uncommon to find up to 200 larvae per single square metre. Do not underestimate these little larvae creatures, they can strip a golf green or golf tee and fairway in a few days, then the birds and mammals like Foxes and Badgers start having a go - all in all a recipe for disaster especially if you do not spot the early warning signs of an infestation in the turf root zone. Suddenly you find your golf course on the Egon Ronay's Guide to the best 2009 Restaurants.

The signs of stress from grasses having no roots will generally show quite quickly. The idividual grass plants will wilt and fall over, after all no roots means no mechanism for absorbing water to sustain plant life. If we end up with a cold breezy spring, the damage will be very evident quickly - before the Birds and Badgers start ripping up the turf to get to the tasty meal underneath. Normally the sight of feeding Birds on fine turf areas is a dead give away. Spraying one small area with a knapsack filled with a Chlorpyifos solution will bring the Leatherjacket larvae to the surface so it is possible to do a head count per single square metre - before the birds arrive for an easy supper.

The Leatherjacket eggs would have been laid by the Crane Fly adult last autumn. The eggs will hatch in the spring and the Pupae will develop into the Larvae. Spraying Chlorpyrifos in the autumn months will still mean that there will be some residual activity remaining in the soil to prevent the larvae but if it has been a wet winter, some benefit may have been lost. It is common for Turf Managers to mix Carbendazim used for Earthworm Cast Control with Chlorpyrifos to save on one application charge. Others prefer to apply a seperate Chlorpyrifos application in the spring.

Leatherjackets live for one year only, unlike Chafer Beetle Larvae. Please refer to the Leatherjacket Technical Leaflet for more information on their control or email The Weed Free Team.