Master Greenkeeper John Quinn is the author of Performance Bowling Greens, and several other titles on Greenkeeping, Club and Business Management.
Unlike many traditional fertilisers, Hume Pro is designed for rapid breakdown and easy assimilation, ensuring nutrients get to where they’re needed—fast. It’s especially rich in Leonardite-based humic substances, giving you a powerful combination of humic and fulvic acids that improve root zone chemistry and biological activity.
Natural greenkeeping is about rhythm, not routine. And the best greenkeepers are those who tune into the biology of the surface—not just the calendar on the wall.
In many modern bowling green rootzones—especially those high in sand and low in organic matter—these vital organisms are either missing or severely suppressed. Without a thriving microbial community, thatch accumulates rapidly, leading to a lifeless, compacted surface that invites disease and drainage issues.
Beyond plant growth, seaweed feeds the microbial community that underpins a healthy green. Polysaccharides like laminarin and fucoidan stimulate beneficial soil microbes, improve aggregation, and enhance nutrient cycling.
When fungicides are used repeatedly, they don't just suppress disease temporarily; they erode the very microbial networks that would naturally keep disease in check. This explains why many greens find themselves caught in a cycle of recurring outbreaks and escalating chemical inputs.
