Good morning all. I am currently formulating a program of applications to various greens for the coming season. Can i ask your advice for the best route to take for:
1)Cost effectivness with time
2)Actual benifits to the turf
3)Timing of applications
The approach that i have been thinking of is monthly applications from April-September, or March-October. Whats your opinions of these dates?
The biostimulant i will be using will be a cold extract seaweed. From what i have been researching there is still an open opinion on the actual benifits of using this throughoout the growing season. It seems in turf trials that there is only a seen result in rootmass when applied using a double dose from spring untill May, when the roots are at there peak in terms of mass.
The wetting agent i would be using is called Dispatch. This was bought in error a few years ago and ideally i would like to use it up, or donate to somebody and purchase a better product.
I am a little confused as to the terminology of Wetting agents, Penetrants, Surfactants, ect.
The plan would be to tank mix these products, sea/wet
The reason for applying:
1)Stimulate the soil bacteria.
2)Decrease ammount of "N" applied.
3)Control dry patch and drought stress.
4)Generally promote a more healthy and sustainable sward.
Your opinions and recomendations please!
Tom
Hi Tom
Maybe a chat would be more productive here, I have trialed and researched the majority of your questions, so with this in mind I would like to chat with you
Ant
(07967480599)
Hi tom,
I am wondering why one of your points includes the time element? My reason for this is how serious are you about undertaking a more sustainable / organic approach. I believe it is the cheapest route in terms of product costs, but does require plenty of man hours for programmes such as aeration. Stimulating beneficial soil organisms (the soil food web) is not just about applying bio-stimulants such as seaweed extracts, molasses, tea compost etc, etc. The rootzone also needs mechanical stimulation via many types and depth of aeration. I commend your consideration towards this route, for I strongly believe it is the only way forward.
A word of warning.... never tank mix wetting agents! I have heard of some nasty reactions and seen greens burnt off by mixing wetters with stimulants. I will not mention any brand names, since I do not wish to bad-mouth any company products.
I personally research and trial my own products and work them into my own specific programmes. What works for one manager may not be the best for another. There are some great products out there, but the are a lot of expensive magic potions that are a waste of time and money.
Good luck in your endeavours.
KB
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to sit.
8 Mar 2010 by Mike Last edited 8 Mar 2010
Tom - it's very easy to get drawn in to buying this, that and the other. Whilst I appreciate your willingness to lay out a plan of some sort (as we would all like to be able to do), my advice would be to trial some different things, as Ken mentions above. Where some products work very well on one site, they may not be so successful on another. I'm currently trialling some wormcast mixed as a dressing on some areas, and as a means to aid with seed germination - only today have I been setting out some trial plots.
Ken - through some of my recent research (mostly agricultural), I have noticed that several people suggest that tillage can lead to decreased soil fungi - i'd like to get your thoughts on this if I may?
Mike
Anthony: many thanks for the chat, was very worthwhile and informative.
Kevin: have yet to speak to Mark..
Ken: The time element...meaning whether i could be spending my time,, or more like the customers money on undertaking more cultural practices like performing more aeration.
Hope this answers your question as to the path i am on, i too believe strongly it is the only way forward.
The only reason that i added the seaweed with the wetter is because of the cheap product cost of the one i was using and i wanted to provide added value to the customer and their turf. I allways try a small area first then wait a week before applying to larger areas.
At the moment i am thinking of only doing three applications of a wetting agent: April, June, August.....????
Ta Mike, am learning that less is more as regards to applying products and potions. I am loving the fact that cultural practices is the way forward, working with nature, utalizing what is allready there.. Tom
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