Focus on Dollar Spot

As climate change reshapes weather patterns, Dollar Spot—a turf disease once rare in the UK—has become an increasing concern for greenkeepers. This article explores how rising temperatures and humidity levels have created favourable conditions for the spread of Clarireedia jacksonii, the fungus behind Dollar Spot. Learn how to identify the disease's distinct symptoms and discover effective management strategies, including the use of Trichoderma fungi and integrated pest management practices, to combat this new challenge and help your green recover from an outbreak. Stay ahead of the curve and maintain your green's health by understanding the full impact of Dollar Spot and adapting your turf care approach.

June 24, 2026

Sand Top Dressing – Friend or Foe? Soil Texture 5.

Sand Top Dressing - that ubiquitous and apparently simple greenkeeping operation indulged in by most clubs annually is actually a much more complex operation than most give it credit for. In this article John Quinn explains the mechanics of top-dressing. He explains what it can and can't do and why you must understand some soil science before top-dressing is considered.

June 20, 2026

Turf Disease Triangle

Managing diseases like fusarium patch can be a challenge for bowling greenkeepers striving for healthy, high-performance turf. While fungicides provide some relief, long-term reliance can weaken natural defences and disrupt soil health. Emerging research highlights the value of PotSi as a sustainable alternative to bolster turf resilience. By strengthening cell walls, enhancing stress resistance, and activating natural defence mechanisms, potassium silicate offers a proactive approach to reducing disease severity and recurrence. Discover how integrating this innovative solution into your maintenance programme can support greener, more sustainable greens.

June 20, 2026

How to painlessly transform greens from Poa annua to bent/fescue

Transitioning your green from Poa annua to bent/fescue is not only critical to achieving a Performance Bowling Green, but is actually a realistic goal. The spongy, soft turf associated with annual meadow grass is less than ideal for bowls. Common wisdom says that this can't be done without major disruption and that even after it is achieved it wont last. This article explains in detail how to undertake the transition of your green from Poa annua to bent/fescue turf and dispels the myths about stressing Poa. This is the way to change your green permanently and without fuss. It will also save your club money on maintenance, so what's not to like?

June 9, 2026

Focus on Silicon: A Greenkeeper’s Perspective

Silicon is an indispensable element in fine turf management, offering a range of benefits from strengthening plant cell walls to improving nutrient uptake and enhancing stress resistance.

Timely applications of PotSi have been shown to be particularly effective in preventing the onset of fungal diseases. For example, applying PotSi at the early stages of a Dollar Spot outbreak can significantly reduce disease severity by fortifying the turfgrass against the pathogen. This proactive approach not only mitigates disease impact but also reduces the need for chemical fungicides, promoting a more sustainable turf management strategy .