Mark with Mark Sparrow (left), Curator of Botany and Horticulture
Different turf grasses on display
Mark is currently looking into buying a front mounted rotary deck to reduce the time spent mowing. Currently, it takes a week to mow all the grass areas and it is expected that the out-front rotary will reduce that to three days, thereby freeing up some valuable man hours. The lawns are one of Mark’s biggest challenges as they form some of the main pedestrian routes to the various attractions whilst, at the same time, providing much needed aesthetic and recreation value. With one million visitors trampling across it, wear and compaction are big problems. To help combat this Mark has been trialing RTF (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue) grasses with the assistance of local distributor, All Turf Limited. The Cheshire company recommended Lindum RTF Turf - grown from Barenbrug research-bred RTF seed. Hazel Frith, from All Turf, had been trying, for some time, to persuade Mark to give it a go, as she felt it was the answer to his problems. Eventually, he agreed to trial it on a heavy traffic area measuring twenty square metres.
sites that had all responded well. He is keen to improve the appearance and performance of the grass areas even more by improving fertiliser usage and aeration regimes to help maintain the grass plant’s health.
Mark is planning to continue the
lawn renovation programme as and when he has the budget and opportunity to carry out the work. Complementing the zoo’s layout is the quality of extensive landscape plantings that the horticultural team maintain, both inside and outside the animal enclosures. Mark helps design many of the landscape features with the aim of improving the aesthetics and ambience of the grounds.
The team also work in a number of the enclosures, maintaining the habitat to provide an essential environment for the animals. It can take up to five years to design, plan and landscape a brand new animal enclosure. The most recent one completed was for the cheetahs. Using the appropriate materials, such as grasses, trees and other shrubs, to provide the best cover
Over one million visitors a year trample across the grass areas
“Have you any idea how we can maintain some grass cover?”
Exceptional floral displays adorn the zoo Part of the Butterfly Journey
That was in October 2008. When she next spoke to Mark the following March she was pleased to learn that he was impressed and that RTF had “ticked every box”. The key to its success was that installation instructions were adhered to. Firstly, that RTF should be laid on a well prepared surface, avoiding compaction and poor drainage. Secondly, that the mowing height should be higher than a standard amenity grass - at about 50mm and, thirdly, it should receive regular and adequate nutrition with a strong emphasis on potash, particularly going into the autumn and early winter. Following the successful trial, during the spring months Mark returfed several other grassed areas totalling over 1,500 square metres. He was equally impressed with the turf ’s performance, particularly on a 900 square metre area outside the Condor Aviary that gets quite a hammering from children playing on it.
During my visit, in late August, it was clear to see the results first hand. There was little or no wear on the newly turfed areas. Mark showed me a number of different
Keep of the grass!
and habitat for the animals, is vitally important. But, that’s not always easy as they have to survive both the ravages of the English climate and any damage the incumbents might cause.
Another new attraction has been the Butterfly Journey. Mark and his staff designed, sourced and planted the whole scheme. I was impressed with Mark’s passion and commitment. His knowledge of plants and attention to detail is clearly seen in the way the zoo grounds are maintained and presented. The combination of good design, planting and effective maintenance promotes the zoo very well and helps to provide visitors with a day to remember. Before I left, Mark took me to the elephant enclosure to show me the problem he is faced with - there was not a blade of grass left anywhere. It would appear that the sheer weight and nifty footwork of the elephants puts paid to any grass growth. Marks question to me was “have you any idea how we can maintain some grass cover?” Now there’s a challenge for Barenbrug and Lindum.
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