Key Elements for Success with Natural Greenkeeping

As greenkeepers, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy, vibrant and resilient green. In over 40 years of greenkeeping, however, I've noticed that a lot of what passes for greenkeeping has actually been very damaging to our soils, making it increasingly difficult to produce a good surface, reliably and economically.

A lot of greens are now difficult to maintain, exhibiting a host of common problems such as Localised Dry Patch, Moss Infestation, Excess Thatch, Disease, Thinning Grass Cover, Puddling, Bumps, Bad Runs and Dips

November 22, 2023

New lesson: An Introduction to Soil Chemistry added to Academy

The Introduction to Soils course in the Bowls Central Academy has a new unit called An Introduction to Soil Chemistry

The unit introduces the complex science of soil chemistry in an easy to understand format. Explore this fascinating subject now and get a better understanding of what you can do to maximise turf health and green performance.

The Unit is available now in the Academy.

Members will find it under the Course link in the My Account area.

November 22, 2023

New lesson on Sand and it’s role in the Bowling Green Rootzone added to Academy

The Introduction to Soils course in the Bowls Central Academy has a new unit called Sand and its role in the Bowling Green Rootzone

The unit explains the influence of sand in the rootzone and how top-dressings influence the physical performance of the soil .

Explore this fascinating subject now and get a better understanding of what you can do to maximise turf health and green performance.The Unit is available now in the Academy.

Members will find it under the Course link in the My Account area.

November 10, 2023

Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere

Understanding these microhabitats and their roles can help us manage our turf more effectively. By fostering beneficial microbial communities in these areas, we can enhance plant health, improve resistance to stresses, and ultimately, maintain healthier turf.

July 7, 2023

Sweat the small stuff, for a high performance bowling green this year

If your green maintenance budget was cut in half this year what would you do?

Most clubs when faced with cuts to the greenkeeping budget, will try at all costs to keep the most important work in the plan. Unfortunately, important frequently gets confused with dramatic, which means that the big expense of top-dressing in the spring and autumn usually stays in the plan and I wish it didn’t for all the reasons I’ve explained over many articles.

Meantime, the work deemed less important and which of course is less dramatic is often sidelined or dropped as a result of a fear of what might go wrong if the big, sexy stuff is missed. These big jobs “must be doing a lot of good”, or so the thinking goes, because they’re so expensive and disruptive?