Home » Articles

Fungi, the Bogeymen?

Mycorrhizal Fungi

The highly sandy nature of many bowling greens and the historical routine use of fungicides of course means that the fungal community is at best compromised. However, we can encourage they're development by providing bio-stimulants. These are typically long-chain sugars such as—kelp, humic acid, and molasses derived bio-stimulant materials. In fact, trials have shown that spraying Trichoderma fungi (a natural Fusarium suppressor) with 20 litres of a biostimulant such as Molturf per hectare extended its protective activity for over five weeks. Even at lower rates, molasses is a highly effective and underutilised biostimulant.

Read more

What is the The Soil Food Web?

soil microorganisms close up under the microscope.

Each individual grass plant releases sugars through its roots to attract beneficial microbes. In return, those microbes mine nutrients from the soil, cycle organic matter, suppress disease, and improve soil structure. This is so important to the health of plants that they give up around 50% of the sugar they produce during photosynthesis as root exudates.

Read more

If You Want a Better Green, You Have to Build It

Turf Evaluation Nansha China

I have an online academy, hundreds of guides and I give unlimited free advice to anyone who’s prepared to put in the work. I’ve helped hundreds of volunteers, qualified and amateur greenkeepers, many starting from scratch, to achieve greens they never thought possible, and to gain the pride that comes with real skill and knowledge.

But lately I’m seeing more of a different kind of enquiry:

Read more