Making the switch to a brand new grass seed after using the same
mixture for 10 years is a big step, but one that Grounds Manager Adam Grantham
made at both the Madejski Stadium and Reading FC’s training ground, Hogwood
Park.
Now into his second season, the switch to Johnsons Sports Seed J
Premier Pitch is paying off, with the mixture delivering all of the qualities
Adam looks for in creating top-rate surfaces.
“When I first took over the management of the stadium, as well as
the training facilities, 4 years ago Johnsons was the seed of choice” explains
Adam who has been with Reading Football Club for 14 years.
“Although I could see what the Johnsons mixture was capable of, I
kept with my head and stuck with the mixtures I was familiar with.”
However, after hearing lots about the J Premier Pitch mixture Adam
decided to trial it on one of the nine pitches at the training ground and were
very happy with the results. “The response we got, compared to what we were
using, was far superior in terms of the colour, wear and disease resistance –
the key qualities - I was looking for.
"I also
checked out the cultivars in the STRI book and when you see them all towards
the top, you know you’re getting a good mixture.”
Following
the successful trial, Adam was happy to make the switch seeding all nine
training pitches, as well as the Stadium pitch, with Johnsons Premier Pitch.
With proven performance at many of Europe’s leading stadia, J
Premier Pitch contains top-rated cultivars including Eurodiamond, to deliver a
sward with exceptional wear tolerance, density and rapid recovery.
In addition, the rapid establishment means it can be ready to mow
in as little as three weeks. It is also now available with DLF’s ProNitro seed
coat technology. “We’ve kept all other elements the same, the seed is fed the
same, but we’ve seen a great improvement in the quality of the pitches.”
Content with his switch, Adam now has the consistency that is
required throughout the year thanks to the Johnsons mix.
