Technical


Taking care of sports surfaces and public areas means controlling weeds, and hard surfaces need special care to meet legislation. Monsanto Technical Manager Manda Sansom gives some practical advice on compliance and choosing the right equipment


Weed Control


A firm line on hard surfaces


T


Hard surface weed control must be achieved by spot spraying using weed wipers or sprayers


126 I PC JUNE/JULY 2016


he wet spring followed by a few sunny weeks led to a significant greening up across the country, which unfortunately included weeds. Amongst the challenges for amenity


managers and groundsmen in mid-summer is keeping hard surface areas tidy and weed-free. “Whether it is to maintain presentation


standards or ensure safe use of hard courts, MUGAs and play areas, effective weed control is as important on hard surfaces as it is on turf,” comments Monsanto Technical Manager Manda Sansom. “Tennis courts, for example, will be in high demand as summer continues. Weed control is important in keeping the flat playing surface for


the high quality play that members or the public require, eliminating trip hazards and extending the life of the court surface itself.” Pavements, public walkways and paths in ornamental areas also require attention, but spraying on hard surfaces demands special care to meet with current legislation, Manda cautions. “Restrictions to spraying on hard surfaces


were introduced in 2012 to ensure pesticide run-off from non-porous hard surfaces to water courses is minimal.” “Adopting the new rules was designed to


reduce run-off to drains and water bodies as required by the Water Framework Directive, but it also minimises the use of pesticides as


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