Grass Clippings

Beware Leatherjacket Larvae could be cutting your lawn before you do!

Whenever we get a prolonged spell of wonderful weather, we tend to pay for it at a later date. Since the Indian Autumn of 2007, the United Kingdom has experienced pay back. Although not cold, in fact still extremely mild, there has been prolonged spells of rain and with it, brings more than it's fair share of problems.

The autumn in 2007 was exceptionally dry and mild and the weather since has been rather mild and wet. All good news if you are a Leatherjacket Larvae that has recently hatched.

The peak egg laying period for an adult Crane Fly or Daddy Long Legs as they are affectionately known is the second week of September. The Crane Fly like the name suggests is a fly, completing it's life cycle from egg to adult in one calendar year.

Get turfcare qualifications on line

Only yesterday did we briefly cover the professional versus DIY conundrum when it comes to applying treatments to your lawn.

We know that it can be an extremely satisfying pastime if things go right and a massive frustration if things go awry and even to an extent, - and this has been witnessed often - if things go badly wrong, a genuine worry for the lawn enthusiast.

We acknowledge that there are talented amateur grass care enthusiasts who have strived to produce and care for outstanding lawns in homes across Britain.

Have you thought about ramping up your knowledge and taking qualifications in turf care? Help seems to be at hand and there has been a major development in terms of ex situ learning.

Perhaps you have taken a City and Guilds level/phase one but never had the time to improve on this?

When should I cut my grass?

We have been noticing on our search stats that a lot of the queries relate to the timing of the first grass cut of the season.

I am not sure if the searcher is actually expecting to get a result with a specific date when the lawn comes to life. The answer to the question is - There is no set time or defining moment when you need to get onto your lawn.

No two lawns are the same and no two gardens, even if they are side by side, are the same so it follows that any advice given here may well be appropriate for one lawn owner and not for the next.

How to cure your dog from burning the lawn with Urine

Some people prefer Tomato Ketchup and others, if they are quick, will rush out with a bowl of water but one thing is for sure, if left without attention, dogs urine, and especially bitches, will scorch your lush green grass very quickly.

But, do not despair, help really is at hand and we can tell you from experience. Dog Rocks, which are stocked at the Lawn Shop and featured here a while back, really do save your grass from damage.

Professional versus DIY lawn care treatments

Maintaining a lawn is definitely a science and like any science, it will have varying degrees of complexity.

There are many good ameteur groundsman who have a lawn that might be the envy of his peers. However, it is not something that all amateurs have time for or indeed can quite get to grips with.

One very important factor, when dealing with lawn treatments is the ability to apply professional strength products. Unless you take the time and invest in a certificate of competence, it is very unlikely that you will be able (legally) to obtain materials that will do what you want.

BTME Harrogate Week

Any greenkeeper or groundsman will be aware that this week has seen the passing of the big indoor BTME grounds care exhibition in Harrogate.

Unlike the massive - and probably too big - Saltex Exhibition at Windsor Racecourse in September, this one is held indoors and it lets any grounds care team have a day away, when the weather is probably lashing down outside, and see the latest machinery, technology and products available in the industry.

The Greenkeeper is more than just a grass manager

Think of a Greenkeeper and you could be forgiven for conjuring up a vision of a man sitting on a ride on mower, roll up in his mouth and a woolly hat on his head, waiting for clocking off time and a pint and a game of darts at the local.

Greencast disease risk maps - how accurate are they

It does not matter how a greenkeeper forecasts or reacts to disease prevention or cure and everyone will have a different process or indicator.

Nothing is better than experience and only yesterday we touched on the Fusarium problems facing UK greenkeepers at the moment due to the high winter temperatures.

Unusual seasonal conditions lead to Fusarium explosion

Green keepers need to be vigilant due to increased humidity, especially in the south of the UK, as Fusarium grabs a foothold. The unseasonally mild weather has led to a rise in Fusarium explosions on many courses.

This picture, taken yesterday, shows an outbreak on a golf green. The whole of the course has been severely affected; the only real solution is reactive application of fungicide.