“The seed houses have worked closely with breeders, researchers


closely with breeders, researc and us, the end users”


The seed houses ha and us, the end users”


following groove creation, drop seeding your seed type is the most effective way ahead.


Once seed has been applied uniformly do not brush, drag or perform any other operations that may move the seed. It generally seems to be standard to brush in the seed, but this only affects the uniform application just performed and tends to leave the seed in clumps. Far better to dress lighter through machine if possible as hand application may also move seed. Once dressed, to fill the grooves a light surface roll or tracking process, with light ground pressure vehicles, may suffice. I stress light, as you really want to


press the seed down to make soil contact, and the surface should be left smooth and useable. Obviously the longer foot traffic and play can be omitted the better.


Germination


Assuming great soil temperatures and adequate moisture content, seedlings can appear with certain varieties within 7 days, although generally 14 to 21 may be more likely. During this germination period, in my experience, irrigation application is really the only controllable resource you have, and consequently the most critical. The surface should permanently be damp. As soon as the surface feels dry and no material particles stick to your hand the surface should be covered with a light sprinkling of water. The more sophisticated your irrigation system then hopefully the greater the coverage and displacement of droplets.


Establishment


stage is also a good time to consider the first mow. Generally the temptation to mow this short and early is resisted by the turf manager but grass is resourceful and I feel the earlier the better. Often rotary mowers give a good first cut although cylinders can be used but must be razor sharp to cut the softer tissue of seedlings accurately without tearing.


Management The Providence creeping bent


Following the first few mows, top dressings may be applied to stabilise the surface and smooth any imperfections. Attempting to achieve the long term desired height of cut as soon as possible should be a prerequisite both for practical and agronomic reasons. Continue frequent dressings and keep a close eye on the irrigation scheduling.


Conclusion


Overseeded Providence creeping bent in Poa sward


As soon as germination has been successful and the sward begins to form, reconsider both irrigation scheduling and duration. Applications should become more infrequent and heavier, allowing drying time between applications, hopefully preventing damping off. First mowing is always a difficult decision and this should be well thought through during the planning stage. Seed varieties allow differing heights. Many third generation bents can be mown at 7-9mm for first cut whilst ryes I have worked with in recent years prefer first cuts of 10mm. When the seedlings reach third leaf


Overseeding creates competition particularly with Poa annua (annual meadowgrass) which, as we know, seeds regularly especially during times of stress. A competitive seed bank may help in the fight against Poa annua. Attempt as many differing application types as possible. Continue to evaluate the seeded site for at least a year and make a final assessment at this time. Many of these techniques can be utilised in bare ground seeding as well as overseeding, allowing you direct, up close and personal contact with your sward. Anomalies of surface imperfections are noticed and addressed and a greater, instinctive feel is afforded to the turf manager. Hopefully during this time you will


have explored other sight specific issues and created an improved sward or playing surface. Create some time at any point of the year and give this a go!


LOTUS Position


BIRD’S FOOT TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus)


Birdsfoot trefoil is a hardy perennial, finely stemmed, leafy legume plant, which has a similar flower to honeysuckle.


The plant has a deep, branched root system and tolerates both wet and moderately dry soil conditions.


Flowers usually appear in late April or early May, and flowering continues until mid September.


The leaves are sessile along the stems, each with 5 linear to oval leaflets. Stems are decumbent unless in fairly dense stands, reaching 250-400mm or more in length.


The plant reproduces from seed or vegetatively from its creeping root system. The plant colonises unmanaged areas, generally road verges, waste open spaces and poorly managed lawns.


Birdsfoot trefoil is found in all sorts of grassland, including, roadsides, wasteland and riverbanks, especially where the soil is well drained.


This plant can be very invasive and all attempts to remove by hand or mechanical means must be thorough, removing all vegetation and roots from the ground.


Apply selective broadleaf herbicides when plant growth is active. There are a number of products available for controlling broad leaf weeds in established turf.


These chemicals are best used when the weeds are actively growing, usually between April-October.


Tritox (Contains 178g/L (16.2%w/w) MCPA 54.g/L(4.9%w/w) mecoprop-p and 15g/L (1.4%w/w) dicamba and potassium salts. Scotts.


Intrepid 2. (Contains 20.8g/L dicamba,166g/L dichlorprop-p ans 166.5g/L MCPA). Scotts.


Greenor. (Contains: 40g/L fluroxypyr, 20g/L clopyralid and 200g/L MCPA). Rigby Taylor.


Bastion T. (Contains: 72g/L fluroxypyr and 300g/L mecoprop-p ). Rigby Taylor.


Dormone (Contains 465g/L2,4- D(38.1%w/w) as the diethanolamine salt). A herbicide which can be used near water. Bayer Environmental Science.


Avalon velvet bent green with overseeded Aber Rye collar


Article sponsored by British Seed Houses, Steve Jones Consultancy and Graden.


Supertox 30 (Contains 95g/L (8.8%w/w) mecoprop-p and 93.5g/L(8.7%w/w) as the diethanolamine salts). Bayer Environmental Science.


These herbicides are usually applied as a liquid using watering cans, knapsack sprayers and vehicle mounted sprayers.


Ensure you follow manufacturer’s directions, health & safety and product data sheets, and comply with COSHH regulations, when using these chemicals.


OF THE MONTH


WEED


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