Partnering with OGRO

We are pleased to be an OGRO partner and look forward to being of service to you in the future. We are very conscious that the driving range industry encompasses a very wide spectrum of ambitions, budgets and markets from the experienced golfer to the beginner. The following comments are designed to help those who are seeking to improve the quality of turf and operation on limited budgets rather than those who are part of major golf course operations.

We hope the following and future comments will be helpful and, at the very least, stimulate thought and discussion.

Good turf is mainly the result of good cultural practice and there is no substitute for good turf management. While you cannot get success out of a bag or a bottle products have a very important part to play in the overall picture and are a vital part of the turf jigsaw.

The key, in our view, is Balanced Management: that of integrating cultural management, synthetics and organics together.

Aeration of the playing surface is absolutely essential and as driving range areas are generally tight there is heavy usage from people and machines and this inevitably leads to compaction. Aeration is important for deep rooting - roots grow in the air spaces and not the soil. It is also essential to get air into the turf profile and encourage a healthy bacterial population which will, in turn, break down thatch and enable the plant to make proper use of applied nutrient. It also improves drainage and enables surface water to get away.

Aeration before top dressing will ensure the material gets into the surface and will avoid layering which in the end leads to root break. Ideally the top dressing material should be the same as used in the original construction.

A point to remember is that aeration should be carried out when the aeration holes will not smear and seal the sides.

Top dressings on greens and surrounds is the way to produce good level putting surfaces which enable close mowing without scalping. All areas will benefit from top dressing including heavy soil areas where improvements to turf density will result from improving the top soil and encourage deeper rooting. The use of products such as Alginure Seanure Soilbuilder made from composted seaweed will be very beneficial when looking to improve poor soils.

Now also is the time for over seeding if required for those damaged areas. Aim to purchase the best you can – it always pays in the long run.

Autumn fertilisation either liquid or granule should emphasise potash to harden the grass and iron used in conjunction will also help harden the grass against disease. Over application of nitrogen will only lead to disease and the need for fungicides. If you do require fungicide for fusarium treatment and you are not certificated Melasol is 100% organic and can be used without spraying certificates. If you have no sprayer the battery powered F25 will do an excellent job at a sensible price.

Finally, a thought for target areas on the driving range – spray a circle on the turf with Liquid Green. This is a turf paint and will last until it is cut out so you should get many weeks before needing to respray. It can also tidy up those embarrassing damaged areas!

In future articles we will look at other aspects of turf management including spring fertilisation, how to combat midges and mosquitoes and how to keep your turf green.

If you would like to discuss any of the above and how the Farmura range of products can help you or if you would like a brochure please contact us on: 01233 756 241 or e-mail: info@farmura.com

Jonathan Harmer
Managing Director
Farmura Ltd

Farmura was established in the late 1960’s to develop the Farmura system of converting cow manure into organic fertiliser and is now a market leader in its class through continuing organic fertiliser and specialist product innovation.

Back to Articles and Research page

Keep up to date with Farmura's special sale offers and promotions. Just enter your first name and email below

Email: 
First Name: 

  

Farmura hate SPAM as much as you and will never ever sell or pass your details to others