Alan
Abel, a Complete Weed Control franchisee for over thirty years, gives
his advice for turf managers over the winter period.
As
we enter the last part of the year; it has been a season of
exceptional autumnal colours on our trees.
The Rugby World "ŽCup
has been a great success (unless you were supporting England), with
all the stadia looking and playing well – congratulations to all of
the groundsmen involved.
The
amenity industry is greatly missing Chlorpyrifos which was taken from
our arsenal on the 31st August. There were large numbers of crane fly
in late summer so it follows that there are even more leatherjackets
in the soil making a meal of good viable grass roots.
Imagine
the following scenario:
A
fruit farmer who majors in apples decides to grub up some of the
trees to diversify into the leisure industry and make a golf
course. Well the farmer can still use Chlorpyrifos at two litres
per hectare on his apple crop before blossom but he cannot use the
same pesticide on his greens or fairways that are being attacked by
leatherjackets.
The
trouble is; you don't need to imagine this - it is actually
happening!
There
must be a case for CRD to look at this and re-instate Chlorpyrifos
into the amenity "Žmarket. Even if it meant closing the facility for
the day, I'm sure clients and sports people alike would be prepared
to endure this penalty?
During
the Amenity Forum Conference last month, Integrated Pest Management
was an important part of the agenda. All of us in the amenity
turf industry must look at other ways of controlling pests"Ž,
diseases and weeds.
The
Water Framework Directive is driving this agenda, as any Pesticide
showing up in our rivers or streams "Žabove a certain limit will be
liable to be taken away from our use. This is why precise targeting
and minimal use of pesticides is so important in retaining these
vital products.
At
Complete Weed Control, we recommend using nematodes for the control
of leatherjackets. The problem for bowling clubs, golf clubs and
sports clubs is that using Chlorpyrifos at 1.5 litres per ha used to
cost around "Ž£1.50 for 500m² whereas it is going to cost
maybe £60 for the same control using the nematodes.
With
so many local authority and private clubs under major financial
pressures this will be a major cost in the future.
Although
winter is thought of as an ideal time for hibernation, it can
actually be a time for timely applications of propyzamide (KERB) for
the control of grass weeds throughout problem shrub beds. Care must
be taken when applications are made as it is a very soluble product
that will move into non-target areas if applied on banks and slopes.
There
is a time restriction as well. It must be applied by the end of
January, as it is activated by cold frosty weather"Ž.
While
on the subject of wintry weather, Complete Ice Control can offer the
solution of gritting and snow clearance on a national level. Our
network of franchisees offers this service and using a Met Office
forecast that gives actual road surface temperature forecasts on a
localised level. The customer can be assured their roads and paths
will be gritted should the temperature drop to zero degrees and
below.
With
colder, damper weather moss becomes a problem. "ŽMMC pro always
produces good results, as long as enough water is applied and that
the water is pH buffered. An addition of a wetter is also advisable.
Find
out more by calling Complete Weed Control on Free Phone 0800 954 9679
or visit
www.completeweedcontrol.com
You
can also follow CWC on Twitter @CWCLimited for much more news,
reviews and insightful views.
