Educational Establishments What’s in the shed?
Kubota L245 Tractor Ransomes MK 10 Sportscutter gangmowers Ransomes 24” Matador Tractor-trailer Tractor Mounted Fertiliser Spreader Kazuma 150cc Quad and trailer ATCO 28” Mower John Deere 220 Mower Westwood T1600 ride on mower Hayter Condor Hayter Harrier 48 Pro Hayterette 18” rotary mower Hayter Ranger 53 Pro Hayter Harrier 41 Hayter Heritage ride on mower and trailer Allen 221 5hp hover mower SISIS Greenkeeper Spiker SISIS Sweeper Dori Scarrifier Stihl 30” petrol driven hedgecutter Sisis Auto Turfman Mk2
Stihl FS85R brushcutter/strimmer/hedgecutter/pole pruner
Stihl FS55R strimmer Stihl SH86 leaf blower/sucker Stihl BG86C leaf blower/sucker Stihl HS80 hedgecutter Stihl HS45 hedgecutter Howard Gem rotovator Roller Turfguard professional spraying machine Knapsack CP Hayter 41
Chapin Knapsack IGO Linemarker
Machinery is purchased outright from a local dealer, with servicing undertaken by Buntingford Mowers. Alastair remains loyal to manufacturers, using Hayter models for the lawns, Ransomes for the pitches and Stihl for the ‘hand-held’ work around the site.
His ‘wish list’ includes a new tractor, sprayer, verti-drain, triple mower ... “I could go on!”
What is a wormery?
A ‘worm bin’ or ‘wormery’ usually consists of at least two compartments; a lower collection sump for the liquid and an upper composting area where the kitchen waste goes in and the worms actively work. However, single compartment wormeries can be also used.
The worms used for composting are known by various names; brandling, manure, red or tiger worms. These include the species Eisenia foetida, E. andreii and Dendrabaena veneta. Composting worms live in decaying organic matter, whereas earthworms are soil dwellers. They are smaller and darker red than the common earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, which is unsuitable for using in worm composting.
Starting a wormery
A wormery is relatively easy to establish though a few points need to be considered. Conditions required
Worms are most active in warm, moist conditions, ideally between 18-25O
C (86O F). C (64-77O
Their activity noticeably declines below 10O (50OF) and above 30O
F). C
A wormery should be kept in a building or a sheltered area where it gets neither too cold in
108 I PC JUNE/JULY 2014
ATB Solutions renovating the cricket square
light rolling and light scarifying, leading to reducing the height of cut and increasing the weight of rolling up to the playing season. I start wicket preparation five to seven days prior to a fixture, including scarifying, brushing, mowing and rolling, then marking in the crease.”
“End of season renovation is carried out by ATB Solutions, when I have the square renovated using the Koro machine. Then overseed using Bar Extreme RPR, Binders Super Surrey loam and Everris preseeder 18:22:5.”
“We suffer a bit of red thread on the square and a little fusarium now and then, but I’m generally pleased with how the square looks and plays.”
“Our artificial surface is a recent addition. It is a 10mm sand dressed monofilament surface that meets LTA approval. Litter and debris is cleared off on a daily basis with blowers and litter pickers. We brush once every two or three weeks using our Sisis sweeper and a dragmat. Weekly inspections are also carried out and repairs made as
the winter nor too hot in the summer.
Composting worms prefer a pH of between 6.5- 7.0, and well-ventilated conditions to live in.
They will not tolerate extreme acidity and dislike being waterlogged because this restricts their supply of air.
Using your wormery
In the bottom, place an 8cm (3¼in) layer of moist ‘bedding material’ such as old compost or coir if it is provided by the supplier. This creates a humid layer in which the worms can burrow and begin to digest their food.
Add the composting worms.
Cover with no more than 8-10cm (3¼-4in) layer of kitchen waste.
Leave for about one week to allow the worms time to settle into their new environment. Feeding the worms (adding waste):
For best results, add small amounts of waste often to the wormery.
Chop the waste into smaller pieces so it can be eaten faster.
If the waste is not being eaten, feeding should be stopped for a few days until the worms start to work through the top layer and avoid adding
needed. Artificial Grass Cambridge come in every other year to clean the surface and sand, spray and repair any problems. I also treat for moss when needed. The lines, which aren’t cut into the carpet, are resprayed yearly, by Sports and Courts Line Marking. We are also responsible for looking after the four macadam tennis courts at the junior school.”
Alastair is working towards the school’s most important event - their Centenary - and, to that end, the team has upgraded the junior school macadam tennis courts, renovated one of the prestigious lawns and installed over 100m of fence line along the school entrance.
“It’s very difficult to plan ahead as the seasons aren’t as precise as they used to be. I have to plan my work around the school's day to day running, as well as the weather, so it can cause no end of issues,” he says, “but everything has to be right for the big event next summer.”
Where environmental matters are concerned, St Chris is very active and works
more waste than the worms can cope with. What to compost
Worms enjoy a varied diet eating any decaying organic matter. You can put in;
Any raw vegetables, except for onions, shallots, leeks and garlic that are best used in small amounts or cooked first.
Any cooked vegetables.
All fruit, except citrus peel, which needs to be limited or preferably cooked before adding.
Tea bags, eggshells, coffee grounds and small amounts of bread.
Limited amounts of newspaper, shredded office paper and cardboard, but not glossy magazines (that should save Pitchcare. Ed.)
Small amounts of garden waste, such as annual weeds, leaves and other soft green material.
What to avoid
Dairy products, fat, grease, meat, fish and bones as these are likely to attract unwanted pests and flies.
Larger quantities of tough leaves and woodier material as it will slow the system down.
Further information available at
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=726
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