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By Carol Dutton in Industry on 6th Nov 2007 12:00
Hailed as the ultimate in low maintenance fine turf, Lindum's new Low Maintenance Fine is designed to be both drought and salt tolerant, with reduced feeding, aeration and mowing requirements.
Produced after consultation with Barenbrug, Low Maintenance Fine is the first turf to incorporate Crested Hairgrass, renowned for its minimal maintenance qualities and low flowering height, which means less mowing. Jayne Leyland, Barenbrug's research and development manager says that using this variety mixed with both hard and creeping red fescues, and producing it in turf form has opened the opportunity to use Crested Hairgrass in countless sport and landscaping situations.
"Crested Hairgrass is slower to establish than many grasses and needs warmer soil temperatures to germinate," she explains. "By growing it and supplying it as turf, these limitations have been effectively overcome. It's now possible for those with little or no establishment window to enjoy the undoubted benefits of this exceptional species."
Stephen Fell, Lindum's MD says that extremes in weather patterns, and the threat of being forced to reduce inputs have all contributed to the need for a turf like this. "After the summer drought of 2006 when hosepipe bans threatened the survival of many golf greens, I felt that there could be a demand for a turf which will survive with greatly reduced or no irrigation. O.K., golfers might have to adapt to increased heights of cut, but a green putting surface is better than a dead one.
Also looking at the Danish experience, will we be ultimately obliged to drastically reduce fertiliser and fungicide applications?" he asks. "Jayne and I had been discussing the merits of various grass species and Low Maintenance Fine, now ready to harvest, is the result. We are looking forward to getting this turf out onto golf courses to test the qualities of drought and salt tolerance, little thatch production and reduced reliance on fertilisers. This fescue/Crested Hairgrass combination tolerates mowing heights down to 5mm and should require considerably less mowing than conventional greens turf."
Ideal for greens and surrounds on links courses, tees and sand based greens, Low Maintenance Fine is also recommended for exposed droughty areas and banks, which are difficult to maintain.
For further information on Low Maintenance Fine contact Lindum on Tel: 01904 448675 or visit their website at www.turf.co.uk
Read more articles in Industry, by Carol Dutton or from November 2007.
