Master Greenkeeper John Quinn is the author of Performance Bowling Greens, and several other titles on Greenkeeping, Club and Business Management.
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.
From the very beginnings of the game of bowls, most clubs bowled on a green constructed largely of local top soil, built, prepared and seeded by the club members, perhaps with the help of a local gardener or farmer. Maintenance was largely mowing, turning the rinks on flat greens, keeping the surface clear of debris and worm casts and an occasional roll before a big match. In the autumn, a squad of members would descend on the green with forks to aerate or spike the green, before putting it to bed for the winter with a final cut and perhaps a bag of fertiliser.
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.
Applied monthly during the growing season at label rates, BioActive Yucca keeps moisture availability in the optimal zone for healthy, stress-resilient turf. It can also be used strategically before or during periods of drought to buffer the turf against rapid desiccation.
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.
