Landscape & Amenity Product Update March 2025

Research findings on landscape industry barriers explored

Lantra and the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), are sharing the interim findings in a research project that looks to explore the barriers to the uptake of apprenticeships by landscaping businesses across the UK.

The first phase of the research project was in the form of a survey, launched in October 2024.

As part of the launch Lantra, BALI, and landscaping businesses took part in a discussion around some of the challenges that are known to be facing the industry currently.

The survey findings highlight the challenge of recruiting apprentices into the landscape industry with 8 in 10 reporting they found the process difficult.

The research project comes at a critical time as the industry looks to the future and identifies skills and labour gaps and establishes potential solutions on how to address the issues being faced.

Becky Jones, Research and Engagement Manager at Lantra said: “Through Lantra’s work with stakeholders in the landscaping industry, we are aware of the immediate and nearterm pressures the industry faces in relation to skills and labour.

“Our fi ndings show that more than 40% of businesses would look to employ an apprentice to support the labour and skills needs of their business but noted there to be additional challenges in the process of recruiting an apprentice.”

Jonathan Pettit, Head of Skills, Careers, and Certification at BALI, said: “The interim

findings of our research project highlight that more knowledge and information about apprenticeships needs to be shared across the sector, for apprenticeships to be a solution to the rising demand for labour, and skills, across our sector.

“We know through BALI’s GoLandscape Careers initiative that apprenticeships can be a good way to bring new entrants into the sector.”

Once the project is complete, Lantra and BALI will report on the full findings over the project, planned to be announced in the Summer. Furthermore, the partnership will develop materials to support landscaping businesses and employers to help them address the challenges currently faced, which will be released later in the year.

Lantra Enquiry 1

The interim fi ndings from the project are as follows:

• 80% of respondents expect to hire staff within the next 12 months; 68% expect to do so within the next six months. More than half of those expecting to hire staff believe the positions might be suitable for an apprentice.

• 6 in 10 would like to know more about how funding works when employing an apprentice and 5 in 10 want to know how apprenticeships work.

• 80% of respondents said it was difficult to recruit an apprentice with 16% saying it was very difficult.

New higher horsepower petrol woodchippers

GreenMech’s ongoing commitment to product enhancement has seen an exciting upgrade on two popular petrol models.

Production of the EVO 165P Sub750 and Arborist 150P features a new Briggs and Stratton Vanguard EFI 40HP engine, delivering even greater power, productivity and efficiency.

Originally launched to meet the requirements of modern arborists and landscapers looking for powerful bite, torque and throughput in a sub750kg package, the EVO165P Sub-750 has gone on to cement its position as one of the most capable woodchippers in the 6” category.

The key features of the series including wide infeed chute, twin horizontal rollers, all steel bonnet and heavy-duty flywheel are now combined with a higher horsepower engine, taking proven performance to new heights.

The Arborist 150P is already the top selling chipper in Europe in its class, but by installing a high-output 40hp petrol engine, GreenMech can now offer close to similar performance to the diesel-engined Arborist 150D, but at a lower cost.

Together with delivering close to eight per cent more processing power for brash and woody waste, the newly upgraded models also feature a yellow idle/ run button to quickly and easily

increase or decrease throttle power to operating speed.

The simplicity of button operation and electronic throttle now aligns with GreenMech’s diesel offerings, facilitating the chippers to go from idle to full power with one touch. They also feature a second hour meter, mounted directly to the engine, and an upgraded ignition barrel.

As standard, all models in the EVO and Arborist ranges feature GreenMech’s unique disc blade chipping system. The new EVO 165P Sub-750 and Arborist 150P are also backed-up by GreenMech’s no-quibble, threeyear parts and labour warranty.

GreenMech Enquiry 2

One of the key challenges facing the wider industry is encouraging the next generation of professionals to embark on a career.

Whether it is landscaping designers or contractors, groundscare professionals or green keepers, engineers or production experts, the industry is in a battle to safeguard the workforce of the future.

Many professional bodies and industry organisations are working hard to address this challenge across a variety of sectors.

It is timely that Lantra and BALI have released the initial findings of a major research study looking into the barriers to landscaping careers.

Such research is essential and the final report is likely to shape future programmes. Equally, the GMA’s NextGen initiative and BIGGA’s scheme to encourage school-age children to consider a career in green keeping are steps in the right direction.

Retaining new staff is also a key consideration. We have to ensure that the range of careers and the development and progression opportunities and benefits make it an attractive and competitive industry for potential new recruits.

This month we have our regular Professional Groundscare supplement, which includes a special report on Ride on Mowers as well as a focus on Grass Seeds & Wildflowers.

There are the latest product news and case studies from the sector too, as well s insights in creating and maintaining high quality surfaces. Elsewhere, we put the spotlight on Hard & Soft Landscaping and Weed & Pest Control as we shift seasons towards Spring.

There are also the latest industry news and views.

We hope you have a busy and productive month.

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PUBLISHING

Martyn Smith martyn@tspmedia.co.uk EDITOR Paul Groves paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

CIRCULATION MANAGER Becki Everitt becki@tspmedia.co.uk

HEAD OF LANDSCAPE DIVISION Kellie Wake kellie@tspmedia.co.uk

AREA SALES MANAGER Colette Clark colette@tspmedia.co.uk

DESIGN & ARTWORK Laura Barton laura@tspmedia.co.uk

Paul Groves, Editor

HTA launches updated Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has launched the updated Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025 stats booklet.

Designed as an easy-to-use and keep resource, the booklet provides the latest data on the UK’s environmental horticulture sector, highlighting its economic, environmental, and social contributions.

The booklet was first launched last year and proved popular as a valuable reference for media professionals, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, offering datadriven insights to inform news and features as well as aid discussions on the future of UK environmental horticulture.

The Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025 booklet, delves into key areas such as economic Impact, consumer trends and environmental and health benefits.

There are key policy recommendations for government, including: addressing UK-EU border frictions and implementing a plant health agreement; supporting the peat-free transition with funding and a level playing field for UK grower; developing a national horticulture strategy and an Office for Green Spaces; encouraging water-saving initiatives for businesses; and promoting horticulture careers in education to address skills shortages.

Kubota or nothing for Watford Football Club

When it comes to tractors, it’s Kubota or nothing for Scott Tingley, Grounds Manager at Watford Football Club.

The club’s Kubota STW40 is proof that compact doesn’t have to mean compromise when it comes to providing the reliable power for maintenance operations at Vicarage Road, while a Kubota L2-622 delivers impressive versatility at the training ground.

The dependable performance of the pair is matched by a fleet of four Kubota RTV’s used across both sites.

Scott is into his ninth season at the club and oversees the home of The Hornets with a team of three, and the 27 pitches at Watford’s training ground.

“On the Vicarage Road stadium pitch, it’s all about weight – we need something small and compact, with enough horsepower to lift all

the various implements we use” he explains. The solution, for the last seven years, has been a Kubota STW40.

“We look after the tractor well and, in return, it looks after us. It’s small, lightweight and at 40hp can operate our seeder or aerator for example without leaving much of a footprint.”

Scott continues, “All of our Kubota equipment is incredibly reliable, we’ve had no issues with this tractor at all.”

At the training ground, the delivery of an L2-622 from dealers George Browns Ltd in October 2022 is delivering even more versatility.

Complementing the pair of compact tractors across the two sites are four RTV’s, including two RTV520’s installed by George Browns at the training ground in July 2023.

Kubota Enquiry 6

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said: “The Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025 booklet is an essential tool for anyone looking to understand our industry’s scale, significance, and future potential.

“Environmental horticulture is not only a £38 billion powerhouse of the UK economy but also plays a vital role in sustainability, biodiversity, and public wellbeing. As we navigate key challengesfrom the Autumn Budget impacts to border and trade complexitiesthe insights in this booklet provide a strong foundation for industry professionals, policymakers, and the media to champion the sector’s continued growth and success.”

HTA Enquiry 5

Industry bodies call for nature-positive development

The Landscape Institute has joined ten other organisations as signatories of a letter to Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

The letter was sent in response to a prevailing narrative from the government which suggests that we must choose between building homes for people and protecting our natural environment, and that nature is a blocker to growth. As signatories of the letter, the Institute argues that both can be achieved.

To do this the government must work closely with landscape architects, planners, ecologists, and other environmental and sustainability experts.

Collectively they urge the government to:

• Act on the findings of the Dasgupta Review by embedding natural capital accounting into economic decision-making and policy frameworks at all administrative levels of central and local Government.

• Engage with professionals in ecology, planning and sustainability to develop innovative housing, landscape and infrastructure solutions that integrate and enhance nature at all spatial scales.

• Support policies that promote nature-positive development, ensuring that new homes and

other infrastructure contribute to, rather than diminish, biodiversity.

• Significantly invest in nature recovery initiatives, ensuring that economic growth is not at odds with environmental stewardship.

• Adequately invest in and support government agencies and local authorities to enable the effective delivery of nature recovery, and to create the necessary conditions for private investment in nature recovery innovation and enterprise.

The letter was sent on behalf of the following organisations: British Ecological Society (BES); Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT); Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB); Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM); The Environmental Policy Forum (EPF); Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF); Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM); Institution of Environmental Sciences (the IES); Institution of Royal Engineers (InstRE); The Landscape Institute (LI); Society for the Environment (SocEnv).

The Landscape Institute Enquiry 8

Edgbaston granted permission for new hotel and stand

Edgbaston Stadium has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for a major ground redevelopment project that will include a new on-site hotel.

Members of the Planning Committee unanimously approved the £42-million pound scheme today (Thursday 13 Feb) and work is expected to start in September

and be complete in time for the men’s Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston in 2027.

The proposed 146-bed Radisson Red hotel will include a rooftop terrace, pitch-view rooms with balconies, and other rooms that can be converted into hospitality boxes with external terraces to watch the match action. It is estimated that around 60,000

people will stay at the site each year. And the redeveloped stand – which will have a slightly bigger capacity than the existing Raglan and Priory stands –will include a new concourse with enhanced food and drink options, plus improved facilities for disabled spectators.

Edgbaston Enquiry 9

Eco Green

• Range from 5 - 30 cubic meter

• •

Why buy Eco Green?

• • Heavy-duty 4 auger machine

• Outlet discharge elevators built with heavy duty stainless steel chain

•

• PTO / diesel / electric drives

• Rear loading hopper as standard

• Large comprehensive range of spares with next day delivery

•

• User safety training on all machines

• Flexible payment plans with guaranteed buy-back

Kress’s groundbreaking technology revolutionises the industry by resetting the standard on sustainable landscaping, productivity, and profitability. A groundbreaking battery technology is at the heart of the 8-minute CyberPack innovation, which allows for unprecedented power and a full charge in just eight minutes.

Green-tech supports restoration at Rockyfold Wood

Rockyfold Wood, situated within the Kentchurch Estate in Herefordshire, recently suffered an outbreak of Ash Dieback.

Large areas of infected trees had to be felled, leaving the site in need of restocking.

A key challenge of this project was the presence of local deer populations, which posed a threat to young saplings. To safeguard the newly planted trees and give them the best chance of thriving, protective measures were required.

To effectively restore the woodland and ensure the successful establishment of new trees, Pryor & Rickett Silviculture

collaborated with Kilmaha Ltd. to lead the replanting efforts.

To support healthy tree growth, the team turned to Green-tech, the leading supplier of tree protection materials and the largest distributor of Tubex tree shelters. Green-tech provides shelters and stakes that offer a controlled micro-environment, reducing environmental stress and preventing deer browsing damage.

To maximise tree survival rates and create a thriving woodland, the following products were selected: Tubex 1.5m tree shelters, chosen for their reliability and effectiveness in shielding young saplings while fostering optimal growing conditions; and stakes, used to securely position the shelters and ensure stability during early tree development.

The use of Tubex tree shelters has provided essential protection against deer, securing the long-term success of the replanting efforts.

Green-tech Enquiry 12

CLD secures large vulnerable vacant property

CLD Physical Security Systems (CLD) has successfully transformed a large, vacant property in South-East London into a secure site, overcoming significant security challenges.

The estate, known for previous incidents of unauthorised access, required a bespoke approach to safeguard its grounds.

CLD’s FenceSafe Eclipse and FenceSafe Lockmaster systems were deployed in a multi-phase approach to secure the vacant property.

The FenceSafe Eclipse onground system, chosen for its durability, quick installation and adaptability to the estate’s varied terrain, provided

essential perimeter protection throughout the project, deterring unauthorised access.

Alongside this, the FenceSafe Lockmaster temporary swing gate reinforced security and key access points, offering enhanced protection to prevent trespassers from entering the estate.

Both of these solutions allowed for easy installation and ensured the products could be fully reused or recycled, minimising environmental impact.

By securing the vacant property, CLD helped prevent potential damage and legal complications often associated with squatting and other unauthorised activities.

Versatile Ventrac for landscaping projects

For Landscaper Contractors, the Ventrac 4520 all-terrain compact tractor and its myriad of attachments is ideal for major projects where significant areas have to be cleared.

From the initial site preparation to the later stages of preparing the ground for planting or hard landscaping, Ventrac has an attachment that just makes the job easier.

If trees have been felled, then the Stump Grinder comes into its own, making quick work of the residual stumps, while logs, branches and rocks can be carried using the Loader, Rock Bucket or Log Grapple.

Once clear of obstructions the soil can prepared using the Tiller, Power Rake or Landscape Rake and then prepared for final planting with the Soil Cultivator, which effectively buries rocks and stones before utilising the Primary Seeder, which plants any type of seed directly into the soil with a consistent and accurate drop rate.

Should you wish to lay power cables or irrigation pipe, then

the Trencher can reach a depth up to metre, safely burying these utilities out of harm’s way. For more general tasks, there’s a Tough Cut deck for clearing scrub, brambles and

thickets, a Sod Cutter for lifting turf and an Edger for maintaining pristine driveways.

Price Turfcare Enquiry 13

Hayley Graves, Head of Operations at Ward Security: “Working together with CLD, we were able to ensure the estate remained fully secure throughout the phased installation process, preventing potential risks from trespassers and squatters.”

Hugh Bennett, Business Development Manager at CLD Physical Security Systems added: “Being selected to secure this vacant property has highlighted the reliability and effectiveness of our FenceSafe systems.

“It was important for us to have an adaptable solution that met customer needs.”

Innovative solution for repointing unbound ‘flexible’ block paving

Birchwood Business Park is owned by Warrington Borough Council, and it is one of the largest business parks in the Northwest, with many nationally important companies on the site.

The park layout uses an interconnected network of paved pathways and pedestrian areas, linking communal seating areas

with planting zones and water features. These are predominantly unbound ‘flexible’ block paving with reconstituted granite stone blocks, together with some highlight areas of natural sandstone slabs. The increasingly frequent paving cleaning, resanding and refurbishment works were also becoming an increasingly significant annual cost

BETOCONCEPT dry-build for vertical landscaping

Grass Concrete offer retaining walls for road highways or the simplest garden or boundary walls.

The Betoconcept range brings different shapes and styles to accommodate planting on high or low walls.

With individual interlocking blocks and dry-build interconnectivity the range offers the ability to freeform wall layouts in single or terraced wall format.

Interlocking units

enable a quick and easy construction process even with complex curves,

for the owners and their Facilities Maintenance Contractors, J.M. & M. Scanlon from Warrington.

Several solutions were proposed and trialled to find the most effective, durable, and cost-efficient solution, including one from NCC Streetscape, the paving jointing specialists that J.M. & M. Scanlon found online through their website.

NCC Streetscape’s innovation solution and recommendations, were to thoroughly clean the paved surfaces, remove any residual sand, accumulated dirt, and weed growth from the joints with high-pressure jet-washing, then to fill the joints by repointing them, not with a jointing sand of any type, but as a permanent solution with GftK vdw 850plus paving jointing mortar, applied with wet-slurry techniques.

GftK vdw 850plus is unique and the ‘state-of the-art’ in paving jointing. This is a high-performance,

2nd-generation, 2-part, epoxy resinbased, paving joint mortar, which is supplied completely prebatched, to be mixed and easily wet-slurry applied across the pre-wetted, clean paved surfaces, where it very effectively self-compacts into the joints, with no additional tooling or finishing required.

The team have completed the total of more than 8,000m 2 , working in six annual phases, timed to minimise disruption and due to another advantage of GftK vdw 850plus, which is the only truly wet weather working paving jointing material, the works could also continue and be completed in cooler and wet weather, further minimising disruption to the tenants.

As a result, the Birchwood Business Park owners and their tenants are already benefitting from less disruption, and significant cost savings, as the

progressively completed areas of paving have required none of the previously essential annual weed growth removal, weedkiller application, joint cleaning, resanding and waste disposal.

These paved surfaces will just require normal paved surface cleaning, as and when required. Incidentally, this GftK jointing solution also makes future surface cleaning much faster and easier, as the materials are fully resistant to jet-washing, even to the use of mechanical street cleaners.

Vertical opportunities retaining walls

Spring into action on lawn weeds

Lawn care professionals should be gearing up for the spring herbicide strategy as soil temperatures start to rise in the spring.

Weeds can be among the first to kick off – and especially visible until regular lawn mowing is underway.

Once soil temps are regularly above 6 C, weed seeds will also start to germinate and fill the gaps from over winter wear and tear.

That start of consistent spring growth is essential for timing of Overtake control treatments, since actively growing weeds will translocate the herbicide through the plant to achieve a more complete kill, advises Syngenta Turf & Landscape Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

Targeting newly germinated seedlings in spring is also the most effective time for optimum control, and once a healthy growing lawn has filled in over the patches there will be less chance for reinvasion.

Overtake contains two active ingredients, Fluroxypyr and Florasulam, that increases the spectrum and enhances reliability of broad-leaved weed control in spring conditions. It can be applied by knapsack or self-

propelled pedestrian sprayer by suitably qualified professionals; Overtake is not approved for use by amateurs.

For knapsack treatment, apply at a rate of 20 ml Overtake per 100m2

ICL introduces Trophy XLR

ICL has launched Trophy XL, a new turf herbicide from Corteva Agriscience that combines established herbicide technology with the innovative active ingredient Arylex.

Designed for managed amenity turf, Trophy XL offers targeted control of broad-leaved weeds, including challenging species like Plantain and Clover.

Trophy XL is formulated to support turf professionals in managing persistent weed issues effectively. Its advanced combination of active ingredients ensures

robust control of a wide range of broad-leaved weeds, across various climatic conditions.

Trophy XL is an EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) containing 280 g/L fluroxypyr, 12.5 g/L halauxifenmethyl (Arylex), and 12 g/L cloquintocet-mexyl as a safener.

It is a post-emergence herbicide suitable for newly established or mature turf areas.

For extended weed control, ICL recommends integrating Trophy XL into a sequential

programme with Praxys ® , another selective herbicide. Used together, these products provide consistent weed suppression throughout the season, supporting healthy, competitive turf.

Trophy XL will be available through ICL distributors starting in March.

Please note that applications should not begin until April, in accordance with label restrictions.

ICL Enquiry 19

in a water volume of two to four litres (equivalent to an Overtake application rate of 2.0 l/ha in 200400 l/ha water volume).

Syngenta UK Enquiry 18

Weed removal without chemicals

Bema’s latest sweeper - the Groby Light – which allows easy and effective weed removal without using chemicals, is proving extremely popular with local authorities, municipalities and their contractors.

The Groby Light can be fitted to a range of small carrier vehicles and offers a broad choice of brushes, from steel flat wire to PPN.

The machine also features plasticcoated, steel flat wire tufts to remove weeds from gutters, joints and other hard-to-reach places.

“There is growing pressure to remove weeds from the public realm without using chemicals, as they can pose of health risk to people, flora and fauna,” says Philip Bryant of Bema Sweepers UK.

“People who have attended recent demonstrations have all been impressed with the Bema Groby Light’s excellent features, its reliable and easy operation, and how it removes stubborn dirt and weeds.”

Bema Enquiry 20

Bema Groby

Groby Light

• Keep jointing in cold (> 3oC)

• Keep jointing in wet weather

• No delays - No waiting to joint

• No concerns over water in joints

• No waiting to clean off

• No washboy required

• No haze & No efflorescence +

• Easy wet-slurry application

• Very high flow & self-compacting

• No tooling or finishing required

• Fast curing & hardening +

• No shrinkage cracks

• Highest joint performance

• Optimum strengths & flexibility

• Fully resistant to traffic, de-icing salts, and jet-washing

&

Battery-powered electric sprayer ensures playing surface is at its best

Established in 1845, the Oval, home of Surrey County Cricket Club, was the first ground in England to stage international test cricket in 1880.

Martin Biggin, Deputy Head Grounds Manager at the iconic venue since 2013, sees a direct link between utilizing high quality machinery and employing the best year-round maintenance techniques to deliver the highest turf management standards now required by elite sporting venues.

“The pressure to deliver is always there, so, when I visited the 2023 Saltex event to begin the search for a greener, eco-friendly alternative to our older SPPS petrol-driven pedestrian sprayer, it seemed logical to start with manufacturer Techneat Engineering who designed the SPPS low ground pressure sprayer,” he said.

“I’ve used their equipment for 16 years now and, based on their reputation for build quality, performance and reliability, the decision to invest in their new battery-powered, electric ProEspray pedestrian sprayer to help us achieve future sustainability targets was not a difficult one.

“The Pro-Espray offers operators the flexibility of an 80L or 120L tank, 3m or 4m horizontal folding booms and low decibel and low vibration operation. We opted for the larger 120L tank and a

3m

boom. Given that we segment our outfield into 6m bays, it’s then a simple calculation of 2 x runs per bay. The new machine has both forward and reverse settings giving us the option to either walk over what we’ve just sprayed or spray behind us as we move forward.

Weed management spraying - an eco conversation

Effective weed management on many surfaces, throughout the growing season, is crucial for maintaining healthy and productive grass swards, keeping surfaces clear of destructive plant roots and trip hazards.

Knapsacks remain the best option in small, difficult areas or where precise treatment is required.

None better than Cooper Pegler knapsack sprayers, which have been around for decades and rightly earned a reputation as the choice of professionals for their robust simplicity, enduring quality and the amount of spares or accessories available to the user. Good equipment ensures targeted application of herbicides, leading to optimal weed control.

Applying herbicides at the correct time is essential for effective weed control. Pre-emergence, also called ‘residual’ herbicides should be applied shortly after last frosts in spring to prevent weed seeds from germinating in clear areas of permeable ground for the maximum duration between 3-6 months.

They are typically utilised in areas such as shrub borders, gravel driveways and around critical infrastructure: rail, pipelines, pump stations.

For post-emergence applications, targeting weeds when they are young and actively growing enhances herbicide effectiveness and reduces the likelihood of weed proliferation before they seed and spread – remember: ‘one years seeding – seven years weeding’.

It may seem counter-intuitive to say spraying pesticides is good for the environment, but done properly, by a trained operative, it reduces the overall chemical commitment for the growing season - reducing the quantity of pesticide required and rewarding business with less strain through manual labour or resource while still following IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices.

Cooper Pegler sprayers are also long-lived revealing a hidden benefit of less plastic production at one end and less waste at the other compared to cheap ‘throwaway’ sprayers that may last one year. ‘Buy cheap – buy twice’ is another maxim worth remembering.

Hozelock

Enquiry 25

“Other advantages for the operator are that you can easily adjust the speed of the sprayer on the console to synchronise application rates, whereas with the older SPPS machine we were restricted to a standard forward speed of 4kph. The battery provides enough charge to enable

the sprayer to run continuously for up to 5 hours – enough time to applicate 1200L of preemergence herbicides, liquid feed or wetting agents depending on the task in-hand.

“From an operator’s perspective, the move away from a clutchdriven petrol engine is a definite improvement, along with the option to select up to 3 different nozzle settings on the boom depending on the level of water volumes we need to applicate.”

TechNeat Enquiry 24

Permatex range is a smarter approach

Weed control is a critical concern for landscapers, contractors, and ground maintenance professionals.

Tildenet are pioneers in the manufacture of protective textiles and offer a comprehensive range of high-performance weed control fabrics under the Permatex brand—designed to provide long-lasting, ecofriendly weed suppression with minimal maintenance.

The Permatex Heavy Duty Weed Control Fabric is a go-to choice for professionals,

delivering superior durability while allowing water and air to circulate, making it ideal for pathways, under gravel, and planted areas.

For projects requiring additional reinforcement, Permatex Ultra provides excellent ground stability while effectively preventing weed growth.

For more environmentally focused applications, Permatex Bio offers a biodegradable alternative, ensuring effective weed suppression without long-term environmental

impact—perfect for forestry, tree planting, and rewilding projects.

With increasing industry demand for sustainable and cost-effective solutions, Tildenet’s Permatex range offers the perfect balance of strength, permeability, and ease of installation.

Whether for commercial landscaping, amenity spaces, or private gardens, Permatex products help professionals maintain weed-free landscapes efficiently and responsibly.

Tildenet Enquiry 26

GMA And ECB launch apprenticeship support scheme

Scheme’,

This pilot initiative is designed to strengthen the future of cricket by attracting and supporting more aspiring grounds professionals.

With the demand for skilled grounds managers growing, the scheme aims to provide apprentices with not only the technical knowledge required for cricket-specifi c turf care but also the essential support they need to develop their careers.

It also aims to address broader industry challenges such as workforce retention and succession planning by making apprenticeships a more structured and attractive career pathway.

At the same time, it provides additional support for existing grounds professionals, ensuring they have the resources and expertise to mentor and develop the next

generation effectively. The GMA will provide tailored cricket-specific online courses to supplement apprentices’ learning, as well as bespoke webinars designed to enhance their knowledge and better prepare them for a career in cricket grounds management.

Apprentices will also have access to GMA membership, unlocking a range of benefits including the GMA Member Assistance Programme - a 24hour confidential counselling and wellbeing servicealongside online technical resources, salary advice and guidance, legal consultation and much more.

The ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy Mackay, will play a central role in the pilot, acting as a key point of contact for employers seeking advice on apprenticeship support.

Andy will also work with stakeholders to develop an information and support hub, and resources to help promote grounds management as a career, laying the foundation for an allrounded scheme in the future.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA, said: “Apprentices are the future of the grounds management industry and providing them with the right support is essential to achieving high standards across professional cricket.

Andy Mackay said apprenticeships were a fantastic way to develop skills and discover talent, whilst having the potential to set people on the path to a rewarding and enjoyable career.

The GMA Enquiry 27

Howardson Group bids farewell to Roger Moore

After 17 years of outstanding service, Roger Moore has announced his retirement from the Howardson Group.

Roger has been a familiar and respected figure within the company. Having joined as a Customer Manager, his role evolved to encompass sales, marketing, and customer support, making him an integral part of the business.

Over the years, he has built strong relationships with key

industry organisations, including the GMA, BIGGA, SAPCA, EBA, SBA, WBA, CGBA, and numerous representatives from cricket, football, rugby, tennis, and croquet, as well as the press.

Alongside his colleagues, particularly Alison Pickering, Roger has played a leading role in organising and developing events in the UK and abroad, dealer days, press days, export dealer events, and the company’s brochures, websites, and overall marketing strategy.

The highly regarded seminar programmes for bowls, cricket, croquet, football, and rugby have been running for over 20 years, and Roger and his team have continuously refi ned and enhanced them.

When SISIS was acquired in early 2011, Roger was instrumental in developing a detailed 90-day integration plan to successfully merge Dennis and SISIS - a signifi cant challenge that had never been undertaken before.

As a senior team member, Roger’s wisdom and experience have played a crucial role in the company’s growth, contributing to an almost ninefold increase in sales during his tenure.

Managing Director Megan Oliver, Chairman Ian Howard, and everyone at Howardson Group extend their sincere gratitude to Roger for his dedication and contributions over the years and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Howardson Group Enquiry 28

The GMA has joined forces with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to launch the ‘Apprenticeship Support

designed to enhance the experience of grounds people apprentices in First Class Counties.

Remarkable business growth with the ISEKI TG6507

Over the last two years, Lincolnbased Greenstripe Groundcare has seen remarkable growth, largely thanks to the addition of the ISEKI TG6507 compact tractor.

Owner James Pask attributes the company’s increased productivity, efficiency, and premium client base directly to the versatility and performance of this high-specification machine.

By incorporating the TG6507 into daily operations, Greenstripe Groundcare has expanded its services, allowing them to take on more high-end contracts, including football clubs and cricket grounds.

The ability to attach highquality implements and transport them without using a trailer has significantly improved

and fine turf maintenance.

One of the standout features of the TG6507 is its IQ gearbox, which was a key requirement for James when selecting the tractor. The IQ gearbox allows for smooth, responsive shifting on the go, eliminating the need to set speed with pedals or rely on cruise control.

Another key factor in Greenstripe’s growth has been the TG6507’s versatility. The C4+ front loader has significantly expanded the range of tasks the business can undertake.

From cleaning compost heaps to moving logs and loading trailers using the well-designed

joystick controls, it has proven indispensable.

On his experience overall, James concludes: “I absolutely would recommend the TG6 range, whichever part of the range is suitable for your needs. It has been a phenomenal tool to have.

“It’s manoeuvrability, fuel efficiency, what you can do with the soft controls in the cab when you want to fine-tune what you’re doing with your implement on the back, the versatility of the C4+ front loader, and it is just so reliable as well.

“It hasn’t let me down ever. So, I would say to anybody thinking, actually I need to upscale, should I look at something like this, absolutely go for it.”

ISEKI Enquiry 30

Optimising turf health with Consolidate

With a career spanning 20 years, Jamie Melham, Head Greenkeeper at one of the finest in Sussex, Highwoods Golf Club, brings his experience and collaboration with specialist for Consolidate Turf, Rob Welford, to enhance the health and aesthetics of the golf course.

Jamie’s partnership with Rob Welford from Consolidate Turf started three years ago and has been instrumental in transforming the nutrient management approach at Highwoods. Rob’s

expertise and responsiveness have provided Jamie with confidence and reliable support, and the use of consolidate products played a big part in the presentation of the course, when the club celebrated its centenary year in 2024.

One specific challenge Jamie faced was the inconsistency in fertilizer prill size from a different supplier. Initially, Rob assessed the golf course’s overall plant health, leading to the transition from granular to liquid fertilizers for more consistent results, using

Consolidate Plus to kickstart the greens early in the season.

For the approaches, Jamie maintains a treatment schedule of every three weeks, a practice he also applies during the winter to prevent disease.

In addition to using Consolidate products, Jamie incorporates feedback from the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) into his maintenance program.

Consolidate Turf Enquiry 31

Effortless

arboricutural management with the Foxwood T120

The Foxwood T120 off road Towable Chipper is a gamechanger for green space management teams, delivering a highly effective solution and keeping accessibility a top priority.

In today’s fast-paced world where efficiency is key, finding the right tools to manage outdoor spaces is essential.

The Foxwood T120 and T90 are designed for towing behind small utility vehicles. This capability gives access to remote areas, particularly during spring months when wet and muddy conditions can complicate maintenance tasks.

With its lightweight structure and flotation tyres, the Foxwood T120 glides effortlessly over fine turf, even wet, boggy areas, ensuring you can tackle your projects without causing damage to

The adjustable drawbar height further enhances the T120’s versatility, allowing it to be effortlessly paired with nearly any vehicle.

With a chipping capacity of nearly 5 inches, the Foxwood T120 can easily handle most branches, turning them into valuable mulch for Walkways and Beds.

It is not a legal requirement to obtain a chipper license to operate this machine in the UK, making it accessible for everyone.

What sets the T120 apart from traditional PTO chippers is its one-man operation capability. Users can harvest wood chips directly into the buck of their ATV, streamlining the entire process and eliminating the need for multiple vehicles or additional manpower.

Upson Mowers Enquiry 34

The future of turf maintenance is battery

Every organisation is under pressure to cut costs, deliver against sustainability targets, and protect its workers. Kress Commercial battery-operated tools help make that a reality.

The Kress CyberSystem is the fastest-charging, longestlasting battery solution on the market.

Every battery is guaranteed for 3,000 cycles1 making them more cost effective than petrol and oil mix. With 8-minute2

How does battery compare to petrol? Kress CyberPack batteries excel over internal combustion engines, ensuring peak performance across RPMs.

Their unique composition enables high discharge current without compromising cell integrity or longevity. So, you get a powerful tool that can last the distance. Switching to Kress tools also protects your workforce from the health risks associated with fossilfuelled engines.

Kress battery tools reduce vibrations to practically zero,

meaning your workers can work safer, for longer.

Combustion engines create high levels of noise which can cause hearing damage, tinnitus, stress, sleep disturbance, communication difficulties and reduce productivity.

No good for workers using tools every day or people living in the area.

Kress tools reduce noise to minimal levels, so you can work any time of day, even in areas with noise limits, for as long as you need to.

Every organisation stands to gain by transitioning away from petrol to Kress Commercial.

With zero upfront costs, and monthly payments easily offset by the savings on fuel and maintenance, there are immediate financial gains to be made.

Now’s your chance to try out the Kress CyberSystem for yourself. Contact Kress to arrange a fee trial of our Commercial Equipment.

Kress Enquiry 35

Mowers making the right moves

Electric mowers are big news, but there are plenty of choices to increase efficiency and sustainability, Jane Carley reports.

Mower technology continues to move at a pace with manufacturers looking at ways to increase sustainability while maintaining or surpassing the results achieved by current models. Battery power is certainly emerging as a frontrunner, but there are many other credentials that a machine can offer for amenity use.

Developing an electric mower that can challenge diesel equivalents for performance will be the key to their wider adoption. Reesink Group’s Toro Groundsmaster e3200 takes the same rugged chassis, commercial-grade mowing deck and operator controls its predecessor, the Groundsmaster 3200, was known for and makes it electric. All without compromising on power, performance or durability, says the company.

At the heart of this transformation lie 17 HyperCell batteries which

provide an all-day runtime in the most demanding of conditions. The lithium-ion technology incorporates a management system that delivers consistent performance and optimised lifecycle across the extensive life of the machine.

Smart controls optimise energy consumption, ensuring efficient utilisation throughout the day, while real-time monitoring via the InfoCentre keeps operators informed of battery status.

Electric mowers offer significant long-term savings compared to traditional diesel-powered models, Reesink points out. With no motor oil, spark plugs, or filters to change, maintenance costs are reduced considerably.

For less frequent cutting, the Toro LT-F3000 triple flail is designed to offer a superior aftercut in in six-week cycles (four cuts a season) for greater cost effectiveness.

Suitable for areas from the widest open spaces to the narrowest verges, and roadsides with longer grass to recreational fields, this machine can cut longer, wetter and coarser grass in one sweep and with lower operating costs.

A cylinder attachment is an option, expanding its cutting options.

The expansion of the Kubota zero-turn mower range has made the line-up one of the most comprehensive in the market, says the company.

Responding to market demand, the range has increased from two to seven models offering a variety of working widths, discharge options and fuel types to suit all domestic and commercial applications.

Those looking to meet productivity requirements with a sustainable power source can find the answer in Kubota’s Ze electric zero-turn range, with the Ze-421 and larger Ze-481 (1.05 and 1.2m cut) offering new levels of user comfort through reduced noise and vibration during operation.

A recent addition to the range is the Z4-541 – a 1.36m (54in) petrol model which boasts a larger chassis to offer even greater productivity to the pro-consumer market. Hot on its heels is the rear discharge Z4-541RD model, introduced in late 2024, to meet commercial requirements.

Highlights of the established petrol models are the 19hp Z1421 and 22hp Z2-481, which

feature a 1.05m and 1.2m (42 and 48in) side discharge cutting deck respectively, with optional mulching kits available.

In the diesel range, the 26hp ZD-1211 provides comfort and fast working with fuel efficiency.

John Deere’s endeavours in battery-powered mowing machinery are most evident in the golf sector where a lithium battery can replace petrol in two of the company’s walkbehind greens mowers.

For riding mowers, the company launched the allelectric Z370R in 2024 – a zero-turn, 3.2 kWh machine to mow up to two acres on a charge.

Reesink

Kubota

While primarily aimed at the residential market, it shows the direction of travel is offering all professionals the choice of combustion or battery power.

Hybridisation innovation is much further forward for John Deere. While the engine remains petrol or diesel, elements of the riding mowers can be electrified to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of leaks, both of which contribute to a better environmental profile for those using the equipment.

This is evident on the five, brushless electric reel motors on the 6700A E-Cut and 7700A E-Cut which are driven by electrical motors.

The 7700A is Deere’s most popular mower and is used on a range of sports pitches and golf course. The four-wheeler has five quality cutting units and TechControl Display which allows operators to guarantee consistency on every cut.

The three-wheeled chassis on the 6700A offers excellent manoeuvrability and after-cut appearance.

Deere was the first manufacturer to have QA7 hybrids on both threewheel drive and four-wheel drive chassis, including an industry exclusive on the 6700 models.

The electric reel drive system is powered by a 200-amp alternator, which supplies power to the reel motor controllers, which then supply power to the electric reel motors.

Similar to other John Deere products, the TechControl display is the main operator interface with the machine and is programmable by a supervisor to control maximum mowing and transport speeds, as well as engine RPM.

This hybrid solution minimises 90% of the risk of hydraulic leaks by eliminating over 150 hydraulic leak points. Fuel savings of up to 30% are achieved by operating at reduced throttle when mowing compared to PrecisionCut mowers. Noise levels are also reduced by up to 3dB at reduced throttle.

The alternator, controllers, and motors are designed to allow the machine to perform rigorous verticutting applications.

EGO Power Plus is expanding its ride-on range with two new tractor mowers. The twinblade tractor mowers utilise up to six EGO ARC Lithium 56V p ortable batteries, providing the same power and performance as the equivalent petrol machines.

Vince Brauns, Group Product Director at EGO, said:

“Following the success of our zero-turn Z6 range, we wanted to introduce more mowers to ensure we could deliver a product for every user’s needs.

“Users can now cut substantially sized lawns in comfort and with complete confidence in battery longevity.”

The new range includes the TR3800E-B 98cm ride-on collection tractor mower and the TR4200E 107cm ride-on side discharge version.

Both come with twin blades and pressed steel decks to ensure that the mowers combine power and performance with robust durability.

The mowers feature a front mounting that can house up to six EGO batteries and use the company’s Peak Power technology, enabling the machine to draw on the power

Expanding with dependable equipment from ISEKI

Hard Graft Garden Services Limited, located in Scotland, is a family-owned gardening and landscaping business run by Lewis Stuart and his two brothers, Sam and Fraser.

The company needed versatile and dependable equipment to meet the high standards of their clients and to ensure efficient operations throughout the year.

In their quest for reliable machinery, the Stuart brothers explored various options and eventually purchased an SXG ride-on mower from ISEKI

UK & Ireland Ltd through local dealer A.T. Best Handlers Ltd, based in Macmerry.

“It was obvious during the demonstration that the ISEKI SXG range offered everything we needed and more” explained Lewis “This was the ride-on mower we were looking for, so we immediately agreed to purchase an SXG324.”

The SXG Range is the ultimate in cut and collection mowers, with the ability to perform exceptionally well even in wet conditions.

Whether you are maintaining your lawn, an estate, or managing multiple contracts, the versatile ISEKI SXG range of mowers excels in cutting and collecting, ensuring a superior finish. Designed, engineered, and built in Japan to offer the most reliable, high quality diesel mower on the market for the most demanding of users.

The SXG mower has proven to be an invaluable asset for Hard Graft Garden Services Limited. Its flexibility, robustness, and comfort have allowed the company to perform a

from all batteries at once. Both models come with the CHV1600E, a 1600W fast charger that fully charges six 10Ah EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries in as little as three hours.

An LCD control display centrally mounted on the dashboard enables quick and easy adjustments to both travel and blade speeds as well as providing real time data on battery capacity.

Bluetooth connectivity enables the user to remotely monitor machine performance and ensure that batteries are charged and ready for cutting.

A spring-assisted adjuster with eight pre-sets provides cutting heights of 25-100mm.

Driver comfort includes an adjustable spring suspension seat and large, wide tyres which ensure both a smoother ride, added grip and better weight distribution.

range of tasks beyond just mowing and collecting the grass. The accessory options have enhanced the machine’s utility, making it an adaptable and useful tool for maintaining large estates.

The ISEKI SGX range of midmount ride-on collector mowers from 13.5hp to 21.6 hp offers a choice of 650 litre high tip or 590 and 320 litre low tip collectors, with 40″ to 54″ centre discharge decks. It delivers excellent cutting and collection in wet or dry conditions.

ISEKI Enquiry 40

EGO Power Plus

Amazone

LED headlights enable safe use in low-light conditions while a front bumper helps protect the chassis from potential impact damage.

The TR3800E-B 98cm ride-on collection tractor mower has collection or mulch capabilities, with a 300-litre collection box to maximise cutting times.

When grass collection is not required, the TR4200E ride-on side discharge tractor mower offers even greater productivity. It can cover up to two acres on a single charge and has a 107cm cutting width.

The EGO Power+ 107cm

Zero Turn Ride-on Mower is powered by any combination of its 56V ARC Lithium

batteries to deliver the power and performance of a 22hp petrol ride-on mower.

With a battery capacity up to 72Ah and utilising EGO’s proprietary Peak Power+ Technology the Z6 is capable of cutting in up to 10,000m 2 (2.5 acres) on a single charge.

It also uses the industry’s fastest charger allowing for up to six 56V ARC Lithium batteries being charged at the same time. A typical 60Ah setup will charge in just three hours.

Cutting height positions between 2.5cm and 10cm and are easily adjustable with one hand using the ergonomic handle and the mower can sidedischarge, mulch, or collect.

There are three driving modes with four settings, including enhanced travel speed for fast cutting, and turf care mode. The Z6 features a steel deck with anti-scalping wheels, a tow hitch for future accessories such as a trailer.

Amazone’s Profihopper range includes the PH 1250, the PH 1500 and the new PH 1500 Cab. The whole design concept of the Profihopper is designed to have the minimum environmental effect whilst at the same time providing clean and tidy green spaces, explains Amazone’s National Groundcare Sales Manager Richard Wroot.

“The current PH 1250 and PH 1500 are offered with Stage V diesel engines, compliant

even without the addition of AdBlue, and so emissions are at a minimum.

“The PH1250 has manual throttle control and so the engine revs can be set to an appropriate level to suit the task in hand, or whether on the road. On the PH 1500, the engine management system looks after the revs and supplies power on demand.

“The revs are kept to a minimum in road mode, increase when in normal mowing mode but are kept lower when mowing in eco mode which is ideal when scarifying, leaf collecting or in dry conditions. The engines in both models are approved for use with eco-friendly fuels and oils.

“The flexibility of the Profihopper, capable of mowing, mulching, collecting, scarifying and rolling, means that the machine can be used for multiple applications making the purchase of several machines to cover all aspects of green space maintenance unnecessary, this reduces both running costs, manufacturing emissions and disposal costs and concerns.

“The auger collection system is highly efficient thus reducing the horsepower requirement and so again reducing emissions. The system is also very quiet in comparison to other mower collectors and also generates less dust meaning it is very userfriendly in a park environment. Reduced frequency of cuts means that the amount of grass being cut has increased dramatically.

“The horizontal flail shreds the grass into short lengths before being collected by the auger system and then packed into the hopper and so gives a clean, lowpower collection and because of the PowerCompactor system, minimum trips back to empty.”

The Profihopper can also handle a wide range of other tasks from wildflower meadow maintenance, collection of litter and cans, mulching spring

flowering bulb material later on to scarifying and core collection.

When it comes to protecting pollinating insects, both the PH 250 and the PH 1500 are now offered with the option of the InsectGuard which disturbs the grass ahead of the cutting deck to avoid mowing up bees, etc.

The new PH 1500 cab offers an improved driver experience: less noise, less weather impact (both hot and cold) and so increased productivity and less standing time.

The Profihopper has recently enjoyed a change in livery to bring the Groundcare range into the same oreen and orange as the agricultural machinery and all deliveries since December 2024 will be in the new colour scheme.

“So for us it is all about doing more with less and so maximising efficiencies and so reducing investment cost, running costs, environmental impact as well as creating better green spaces for more enjoyment without trailing cuttings everywhere on a campsite or in a park, for example. From a green perspective, in Wales there has been a huge campaign to mow grass more effectively and this has led to the majority of local authorities there investing in the Profihopper in order to get the advantages it offers,” comments Richard.

PSD Groundscare offers a number of ride-on mower options.

The Canycom range of ride-on brushcutters offers a simple design and high level of performance.

All Canycom ride-on brushcutters are 4WD and can easily switch from 2WD to 4WD depending on the ground conditions, therefore are ideal for all-round mowing.

Canycom brushcutters are designed to work in the toughest conditions, effectively clearing long grass, bushes, weeds, bracken and brambles in a variety of sites such as woodland trails and orchards. The 4WD enables ease in operation and maneuverability to ensure high energy efficiency and great results on steep slopes up to 25deg. Tool-less blade change is available on all models except the CM1402 which makes this process quick and easy to complete.

There are no cutter deck belts to adjust or replace making the maintenance and cleaning of the mower easier and quicker and more power is delivered direct to the blades for extra efficiency.

The SABO range of Gladiator ride-on flail mowers are made for tough use on either flat terrain or for demanding mowing on steep slopes with the 4WD models.

The Gladiator ride-on flail mowers offer a highly efficient mowing solution for private and professional use including local authorities and landscaping contractors.

with Cub Cadet

The Cub Cadet range of zero turn mowers are built with the user in mind, offering performance, reliability and optimum efficiency.

Purchasers can choose between traditional lap bar control or Synchro Steer - an innovative steering wheel technology, giving the user maximum control of all four wheels.

Combining the agility of zero turn handling with the ease of steering wheel control, Synchro Steer allows the operator to enjoy increased stability with enhanced precision, to achieve a quality cut on large areas including slopes of up to 20deg.

Both the Enduro series XZ7 L152i (lap bar control) or the Pro series Z9 183id (Synchro Steer) are equipped with powerful and efficient EFI engines from Kohler or Kawasaki and robust steel decks for high performance and durability.

A range of comfort features designed for the operator, include premium seats with high backrests, spring-mounted front wheel suspension and bright LED headlights.

A broad range of accessories are available, including transport trailers, spreaders and snow blades to make the machine an all-season companion.

PSD Groundscare

Case studies

Perfect solution for The Retreats Group Reform Metrac –more than just a mower Expanding fleet at Knock

For Ollie Davies, the groundskeeper and supervisor for The Retreats Group, which encompasses three of the leading luxury hotels in Wales— Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory, maintaining these stunning landscapes has become significantly easier since the purchase of a Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

“The properties are undulating and steep in places,” says Ollie. “My brother used to help me look after the grounds, and when he left, we decided that instead of employing someone else fulltime, we would invest in one of these machines.”

Before the Hydro 100, Ollie managed the extensive lawns using pedestrian mowers—a task that was both time-consuming and physically demanding. “This Etesia saves so much time and money. It is a great bit of kit.”

The Etesia Hydro 100 III ride-on mower is designed for professional users who require top-quality mowing and collection performance in all weather conditions. Powered by an 18hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, it features a modern hydraulic drive transmission with differential lock, a 500-litre grass box, and a cutting deck with rear central ejection for efficient grass collection.

Given the uneven terrain of the properties, Ollie decided on the Hydro 100, known for its differential lock and sturdy design. “With the grounds being so uneven, we went for the Hydro 100 because it has a diff lock and it seemed very sturdy.”

Ollie’s decision was reinforced during a particularly wet demo session. “These pick up the grass in wet conditions, even when it is long. It worked a treat on our

demo; it picked up the grass and didn’t leave a mess, so we were really impressed with it, and we just went from there.

“It is quite undulating and steep, and especially when it is wet, the diff lock comes in handy. As soon as you start feeling it slip a bit, you just engage the diff lock and it doesn’t leave a mess or wheel spin.”

During the peak growing season, Ollie faces the challenge of keeping up with rapidly growing grass. The Hydro 100 has made this task much more manageable.

“If I was on my own and I only had my walk-behind mower, I would be completely swamped with grass and I would just be chasing my tail all the time. So having the Hydro 100 means I can stay on top of things.”

Ollie also appreciates the Hydro 100’s ability to cut and collect grass on formal lawns, ensuring that the grounds remain pristine for guests.

“We don’t want guests to get their shoes clogged with grass and walk it into the castle—it wouldn’t be very popular with the housekeeping staff.”

The ease of adjusting the cutting height is another feature Ollie values. “To change the height of cut, you have something that looks like a handbrake. You just push the thumb button in and set the height using the lever.”

Ollie has also been impressed by the mower’s reliability, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

“Considering how wet it has been over the past year I have never experienced any form of blocking, even if the grass is long and wet.”

For the ultimate in mowing output, versatility and comfort from a machine that is much more than just a mower, the Reform Metrac H60 and H70 from Simon Richard are compact and versatile tractors built for demanding environments, particularly in municipal services.

The design prioritises operator comfort with features like a full glass door for visibility and climate control options. The tractor’s advanced control systems, including a multifunction joystick and central controller, provide flexibility for various tasks, while its planetary gear final drives ensure smooth operation on rough terrain.

Separate hydraulic systems add safety and efficiency, supporting a variety of attachments. Powered by a reliable Perkins engine, it’s designed for yearround use, with an unexpected detail being its ability to handle extreme slopes, which is crucial for the tractor’s origins in mountain agriculture.

A standout feature is the multifunction joystick, integrated into the mechanical drive lever, which allows the selection of front, rear, all-wheel, crab, and offset allwheel steering modes.

This ensures maximum manoeuvrability, especially on slopes and in tight spaces. The hydrostatic drive system offers two speed ranges and two mechanical off-road reductions, controllable via pedal or drive lever, with a maximum speed of 40 km/h, providing fl exibility for different tasks.

The soil-related benefi ts of the Reform Metrac H60 and H70 stem from their design features aimed at minimising soil disturbance and compaction, which are critical for maintaining soil health.

One key feature is the use of wide, low-pressure tyres. These tyres ensure maximum traction while maintaining low ground pressure, which is essential for reducing soil compaction.

Knock Golf Club on the outskirts of Belfast was one of the first in Northern Ireland to adopt the Baroness brand, and close to a decade on from the purchase of their LM2700 and LM315, they now run a fleet of six mowers which executes the majority of their cutting operation.

Lee Eager has been Course Manager for the last 18 years and maintains the challenging 18-hole parkland course with the assistance of a team of five.

“From the purchase of the first two machines, we’ve never looked back” he emphasises. In the years that have followed, Lee has added a second LM315 triple greens mower, along with a GM2800 and GM2810 five-deck rotary mower and LM331 surrounds and trim mower to his armoury.

“Theres two main reasons we remain loyal to Baroness – the first of which is the outstanding service and support we received from our local dealer, Cyril Johnston, and in particular Ian Ellis. Secondly, it’s the performance and quality of the cutting cylinders which, in my opinion, are the best on the market.”

He continues, “All of our mowers deliver pinpoint precision and a sharp cut which is critical for retaining the aesthetics and health of our playing surfaces. They also stay on cut better than any alternative we’ve previously used and weather the challenges of course life – with bedknives lasting as long as four years, and some of our older models delivering day-in, day-out despite having over 2900 hours on the clock.”

REASONS TO CHOOSE CANYCOM:

• Powerful & Efficient - 4WD

• Long grass mowing specialists

• High performing shaft drive cutter deck

• Designed to work in the toughest conditions

• Masters of steep slopes

Turney Group switches on to Ransomes Jacobsen

Turney Group is lighting the way for golf courses, schools, councils, sports pitches, and universities to go green and choose Ransomes Jacobsen lithium power.

Turney Group is a modern machinery dealership with a thriving Pro Groundcare division representing highquality franchises, including Ransomes Jacobsen, Iseki, Stihl, Dennis, and New Holland.

Effective November 2024, Turney’s has gained a significant sales area increase for Ransomes Jacobsen to the South and West of

their existing Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Buckinghamshire territory.

This new development strengthens RJ’s 60-year relationship with Turney’s and comes with great excitement around the British-made electric machine innovation.

The Jacobsen Eclipse 360 Elite has set the new standard for efficiency and performance through exceptional cut quality, impressive battery life, and reduced emissions. It has been demonstrated at prestigious golf courses and sports facilities by Turney Groundcare throughout 2024

Effortless lawn perfection with Mountfield

Meet the Mountfield 2240H Twin, your ultimate ride-on mower for professional and domestic lawn care.

Powered by a STIGA ST 650 635cc twin-cylinder engine and featuring a smooth hydrostatic transmission, this mower delivers power and precision with every pass.

Equipped with contra-rotating twin blades, it effortlessly cuts through grass, collecting clippings into a spacious 320L rear collector.

The 2240H doubles as a leaf vacuum, making autumn clean-ups effortless. A handy collector full alert lets you know when it’s time to

empty—without even leaving your seat!

For those looking to enhance lawn health, the included mulching plug transforms clippings into nutrient-rich mulch.

With seven adjustable cutting heights and a 102cm cutting width, it’s designed for versatility across all lawn sizes.

Built for reliability, the Mountfield 2240H Twin comes with a 5-year warranty and essential extras, including a battery charger, mulching plug, and tow hitch.

Multiple mower attachments from Ventrac

Ventrac’s 4520Y can accept everything from contour following 2.11m fine finish MJ840 rotary mowers, 1.9m MR770 reel mowers and MK960 2.4m wide area rotaries.

There is also an HQ682 roughcut rotary capable of cutting down saplings up to 2.5mm in diameter and various flail mowers. A mower for every need but only one 18.6kW (25hp) diesel power unit to buy and maintain.

The power unit usually contributes a significant amount of value to any commercial mower. As most businesses have to make budgets stretch further, a new look at the type of machine to complete all those mowing tasks is perhaps timely.

As an example of the two extremes of mowing, after seeing Ventrac’s HQ682 1.7m Tough Cut deck in action, many people believe it’s a flail mower as it easily tames tall grass, thick

weeds and heavy brush. It is, in fact, a highly efficient rotary deck with a large front opening that directs material to three heavy-duty counter rotating blades that cut and deposit waste evenly without windrowing.

Using Ventrac’s unique quick mount system, within minutes you can be mowing in the fine cut sector. Numerous customers are opting for the MJ840 Contour Rotary mower with anti-scalp

rollers, multi directional articulation joints and rear discharge.

A low centre of gravity and dual wheel options enable safe operation on slopes up to 30 degrees and the quick mount system ensures more than 30 different attachments can be quickly swapped to make effective and efficient use of the power unit.

Price Turfcare Enquiry 45

and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

For the greenkeepers and sports turf managers, the SLF1 Elite five-reel mower has just landed and is on its way to the finest sporting facilities in the area.

The Aurora Elite is a brandnew and uncompromising Lithium Electric Outfront Mower for commercial spaces from Ransomes, which Turney’s are excited to offer demonstrations of from early 2025.

Turney Group Enquiry 44

Agrovista Amenity’s new landscaping and planting brochure

Agrovista Amenity has announced the release of its latest Landscaping and Planting Brochure, a comprehensive resource designed to support landscaping professionals in creating resilient, sustainable outdoor spaces.

Reflecting Agrovista Amenity’s dedication to eco-friendly practices, the brochure features innovative products and expert advice tailored to enhance plant health and minimise environmental impact.

Ed Smith, Landscape and IVM Manager for Agrovista Amenity, emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainable solutions and forward-thinking practices.

“Landscaping is more than just transforming outdoor environments; it’s about building spaces that thrive sustainably. Every decision we make is grounded in reducing carbon footprints, offering biodegradable solutions, and advancing efficacy,” said Ed.

The new brochure provides indepth technical information on a range of essential products, including:

• Lawn edging and suppressants

• Dressing and growing media

Enhance range creates a happy habitat

As the UK faces a significant decline in its bee and butterfly populations, Wildflower Turf Ltd has provided an innovative solution to help reverse the ecological crisis.

The Enhance range has been designed to provide a lifeline for pollinators. It includes speciesspecific Enhance Bees and Enhance Butterflies products to combat Britain’s dwindling natural habitats and maximize nectar and pollen availability.

James Hewetson-Brown, Managing Director of Wildflower Turf Ltd, said: “The Enhance range was created with the specific goal of supporting and increasing pollinator numbers.

“By incorporating a diverse mix of native wildflowers,

we can provide a sustainable habitat that offers food and shelter for bees and butterflies throughout the growing season and even the majority of the year, if left uncut over the winter months.”

The Enhance range is easy to establish and low maintenance, making it a perfect choice for urban planners, developers, and private landowners looking to make a positive environmental impact.

The product can be used in gardens and parks to roadside verges and corporate landscapes, creating vibrant spaces that contribute to the recovery of pollinator populations.

Wildflower Turf Enquiry 48

• Landscaping controls like herbicides, surface cleaners, and moss control

• Spreaders and sprayers

• Tree planting solutions and irrigation, such as eco-friendly Tree Hugger Guards

• Plant nutrition and pest control options, including fertilisers, fungicides, and insecticides

• Wildflower seeds for enhancing biodiversity

• Ecology and wildlife products

Beyond the product offerings, Agrovista Amenity also provides more information in the brochure about the Agrovista Amenity Academy.

This platform offers product and industry-specific courses, equipping professionals with knowledge to optimise product use and earn CPD points.

Additionally, the brochure underlines Agrovista Amenity’s personalised support network. Every representative is qualified to BASIS and FACTS standards, ensuring that customers receive expert guidance on product selection, application, and landscape management.

Agrovista Amenity Enquiry 47

It’s Spring sowing season

Euroflor flower seed mixes deliver beautiful

BNG habitats.

• A choice of 18 annual and perennial mixes

• 1kg of seed covers up to 333m2

• Encourages and conserves biodiversity

• Minimal maintenance required

Free seed up for grabs with Redexim promotion

Purchase a qualifying disc or dimple overseeder and receive up to £500 of free grass seed with the return of Redexim’s popular ‘Free Seed’ promotion for 2025.

Exclusively available from Redexim Regional Partners until the end of September, the voucher entitles the purchaser to choose from mixtures across DLF’s leading grass seed portfolio.

Once again partnering with the world’s largest grass seed

breeders, DLF, those taking up on the offer have access to mixtures from the marketleading Johnsons Sports Seed, MM and Masterline sports and landscape ranges, alongside their ColourBoost and ProFlora wildflower collections.

Included in the offer is the Overseeder 3D disc seeder, and the SpeedSeed and MultiSeeder from Redexim’s dimple overseeder range.

Redexim Enquiry 50

Praise for MM Tetra Sport

Andy Richards, Grounds Manager at Haileybury, one of England’s leading independent schools, has hailed MM Tetra Sport for setting a new standard in maintaining the school’s extensive sports pitches.

Praising its exceptional performance, Andy highlighted how the innovative seed mixture has delivered outstanding results on high-use pitches, transforming both their resilience and his team’s workload.

Having relied on MM50 and MM60 seed mixtures for years, Andy recently turned his attention to MM Tetra Sport, a winter sports overseeding mixture treated with Headstart GOLD – a performance-enhancing grass seed coating. Impressed by tetraploid ryegrass trial results he’d seen, Andy decided to

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test MM Tetra Sport on one of Haileybury’s high-use rugby training pitches.

The results were astounding. “We sowed Tetra Sport in three directions, then did a fourth pass after two weeks. The germination was really quick - helped by a rainstorm - but even when the weather turned dry, we didn’t need to water it as soon as we would have with traditional ryegrass.”

After four weeks of growing in, the pitch was ready for its first training session. Andy has also noticed other benefits.

“We’ve had no disease on the Tetra Sport pitch, whereas other pitches have had issues like fusarium. It’s ticked every box we could have hoped for.”

MM Seed Enquiry 51

PRO Bent delivers exceptional results

Millbrook Golf Club’s greens are thriving thanks to the use of DSV’s PRO Bent grass seed, which has aligned perfectly with the greenkeeping team’s ethos of continuous improvement.

PRO Bent is part of DSV’s EuroGrass range, a collection of high-performing seed mixtures developed to meet the specific needs of golf courses and sports pitches.

PRO Bent, made up of 100% Browntop bentgrass, is particularly suited for summer and autumn overseeding, as well as species exchange operations.

It offers excellent density, drought tolerance, and is ideal for close mowing—making it perfect for maintaining highquality greens.

The positive feedback from both members and visitors has been overwhelming.

The results have been so impressive that Millbrook has expanded its use of DSV products beyond the greens, applying them to the tees and fairways as well.

DSV Enquiry 54

Premier Wicket supports premier cricket

While the cricket season at Hertfordshire’s Aldenham School may not be long in duration it is intense, with students and community clubs using the facilities for training and fixtures between Easter and early July.

The concentrated play demands fast recovery and outstanding wear tolerance from the surfaces and specifically the grass seed – both of which Grounds and Gardens Supervisor Danny Wells says

they achieve with Johnsons J Premier Wicket.

“The work from the last renovation had clearly paid dividends as, come the end of the season in July, we were still seeing good coverage on the squares and we knew this was only going to improve further with another overseed of J Premier Wicket,” he said.

“We applied the seed at a rate of 60g/m 2 and, assisted by mother nature, we were doing

the first cut in just two and a half weeks.”

J Premier Wicket blends four top-rated perennial ryegrass cultivars to deliver classleading wear tolerance, rapid establishment and visual merit.

High disease resistance can also be expected as standard – something which Danny compliments.

Johnsons Sports Seeds Enquiry 55

Wildflower helps Celtic Manor achieve certified status

It’s been a great start to 2025 for the team at Celtic Manor who, following the introduction of numerous new sustainability initiatives, have received GEO certification.

Part of the overall project saw the establishment of new wildflower areas to bring much-needed food and habitat for pollinators and other insects, along with high visual impact for players and staff alike - all achieved using mixtures from the DLF ColourBoost collection.

Overseeing the conservation projects is Environment and Ecology Stewardship Manager Gary Connell, who has been at the resort for over 25 years.

With little prior wildflower experience, Gary consulted with DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett on the best and most suitable mixtures for the project.

“Our resort and land provide almost limitless opportunities for wildflowers, but we wanted to focus our efforts on a few areas which could be sustainably implemented, maintained and monitored.

“Ian identified an area near the main entrance and recommended Floral Carpet from the ColourBoost range.”

Floral Carpet is one of nine ColourBoost mixtures, each designed to bring maximum visual impact by incorporating both wild flower and garden flowering species.

For situations where final growing height is important Floral Carpet is ideal, using lower growing season annuals to provide rich blooms throughout the season.

DLF Enquiry 56

TGA warns of further turf price increases

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has issued a warning about anticipated price increases for turf products in 2025.

Following another year of challenging weather conditions and ever-increasing operational costs, TGA members have reported mounting pressures that will inevitably drive up the overall cost of production, and therefore the sale price of turf.

This continues a trend in recent years, as the industry grapples with the ongoing effects of extreme and variable weather patterns. In 2024,

further widespread wet weather, increased disease management programmes, and in many cases the legacy of the previous winter’s adverse weather have once again driven up production costs across the whole supply chain.

Adding to these challenges, the government’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, effective from April 2025, will significantly affect turfgrass producers.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, said 2024 was another particularly challenging year for the turfgrass industry and added: “Alongside continued weatherrelated disruptions and increasing operational costs, governmentmandated fiscal changes are adding further pressures. Price adjustments are essential to ensure the industry’s viability and ability to meet future demand.”

TGA Enquiry 57

ISEKI tried and tested on major projects

When it came to picking a new tractor, it was a “no-brainer” for East Renfrewshire Golf Club to opt for another ISEKI in the form of the TG6507 with a C4+ loader.

The moorland course is based on the outskirts of Glasgow, with stunning views of Ben Lomond and the Trossachs.

Upgrading their previous machine was brought on by a desire to handle larger winter projects in-house, and after speaking with local ISEKI dealer Fairways GM, Club Manager Iain Russell and Course Manager Barry Nichol were set on the TG6507.

The Iseki TG6507 is a highperformance compact tractor that is well-suited for golf course maintenance. Featuring hydrostatic or IQ transmission options, it provides smooth and precise control, while the high-capacity lift arms and compatibility with a wide range of implements make it a versatile and durable choice for demanding workloads.

Course Manager Barry is taking full advantage of the versatility, with the TG6507 put to work tining, completing other aerating works, loading, clearing car parks and moving pallets with the front forks.

With his previous experience using ISEKI tractors at the club, there was no question what his next pick would be:

“Versatility is important and we get that from the tractor, but it is very reliable as well.

“We’ve had no issues on the mechanical side of it and it really does a great job.

“It’s got plenty of power to get around our hilly terrain, and we’ll have it in full swing throughout autumn, winter and spring with no issues.”

Racecourse benefits from Avant 860i loader

Lingfield Park Racecourse has recently experienced the remarkable versatility of the Avant 860i loader after winning a six-month loan at the Grounds Management Association (GMA) Awards.

The Avant loader was awarded to the racecourse after they were named the Professional Racecourse Grounds Team of the Year, a category sponsored by Avant Tecno UK.

Jon Harris, Estate Manager at Lingfield Park, said: “The Avant 860i has made an incredible difference to how we work here.

“It’s a fantastic machine, capable of handling almost any

task we throw at it. The ability to use a single machine for a wide variety of jobs has been a huge benefit, allowing us to be more efficient and freeing up time for other tasks across the estate.”

The Avant 860i is the flagship model in the Avant 800 series and has proven to be an invaluable asset at Lingfield Park.

Powered by a 57-hp engine, the Avant 860i boasts an impressive 3.5m lift height and a lift capacity of 1,900kg, making it perfect for heavyduty lifting and clearing tasks.

Its powerful auxiliary hydraulics (80 L/min) and

robust design allow it to handle tough jobs with ease, such as lifting stone pallets, clearing scrubland, and handling a wide range of attachments.

Despite its impressive power, the Avant 860i’s compact size allows it to operate in tight spaces and sensitive areas without causing damage to the ground.

Some of the key attachments Jon and his team have used during their six-month loan include the Pallet Forks, HD Bucket, Bucket Broom, Flail Mower, and the Fence Post Mower.

Avant Tecno UK Enquiry 60

H75

ISEKI Enquiry 59 • Stage 5 Perkins engine

• Four steering modes for

The remote-controlled AS 1000 Ovis RC is in use on steep slopes throughout Europe.

The tracked flail mower with maximum mowing performance and extreme slope capability has become an integral part of the AS-Motor product portfolio.

Series production of the next development stage of the mower started at the beginning of February: the AS 1000 Ovis Evo

RC offers extended RC functions and even more user comfort. The cutting height of the AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC can be conveniently adjusted between 40 and 110 mm by remote control. Two electric servomotors move the mowing deck to the desired height.

When approaching steep slopes directly from the front, the angle of the slope can also be better adjusted.

AS-Motor Enquiry 63

Aspen Fuel provides environmentally-friendly power

One of the country’s leading treework, grounds and estate contractors has praised the role of Aspen Fuel in powering their environmentally-friendly maintenance operation.

Based on the outskirts of Cardiff, TR33 is utilising Aspen alkylate petrol in all of their 2-stroke equipment, playing its part in a wider ‘green’ strategy and helping the fi rm to win a number of commercial groundcare tenders.

Undertaking all elements of tree surgery, grounds and estate management, TR33 are proud to work for a number of local governments, housing associations, retail and park managers within a 90-minute radius of their base.

Neil Davies has been one of TR33’s Managers for the last four years and oversees a team of over 50 operatives. He said: “Our use of Aspen Fuel pre-dates me, but the reasons

we continue to use it for all of our two-stroke equipment remains the same –this being the benefits it brings to the environment and the health of our operators.”

Free from ethanol and many of the hazardous hydrocarbons found in traditional unleaded petrol, Aspen alkylate petrol burns cleaner.

Its use, compared with pump fuel, reduces ground-level

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

Corrina Urquhart, who has been serving as interim CEO of BASIS since November 2024, is now stepping into the permanent role of CEO, assuming responsibility for this training, certification and auditing body.

William Burgess, chairman of BASIS, commented: “With Corrina at the helm, BASIS has found the right leader at the right time.

“In a short span of time, she has provided stability and clear direction.

“Both I and the Board of Trustees are confident that she will develop a refreshed vision for BASIS and brings with her great energy to achieve this.

ozone – which can negatively affect plant growth and reduce carbon uptake - by up to 40%.

Together with keeping engine components healthier for longer, using Aspen also all but eliminates the smell and knock-on health implications of prolonged exposure to the haze omitted from petrolpowered equipment.

Aspen Fuel Enquiry 77

“We are all looking forward to working with her further to drive the business forward.”

Before her appointment as CEO, Corrina was Director of External Relations at Lantra; a significant milestone of her 18-year career in education, research, and policy.

Her accomplishments include spearheading industry-first initiatives including the annual Land-Based and Environment

Learner (LBEL) Awards, a deep dive into diversity issues in the environmental sector and a comprehensive evaluation of advisory services within the agricultural industry.

In 2024, Corrina was recognised for her inspirational leadership skills as a finalist of the national Woman Who Achieves Awards.

Corrina Urquhart said: “I am honoured to lead BASIS and its dedicated team into its next phase. Our focus will be on improving the organisation’s ability to positively impact on people and businesses in the land management, environmental, and amenity sectors.

“Under my leadership, BASIS will adopt a proactive approach to engagement.

“In January alone, I look forward to meeting with members and stakeholders at key industry events including the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), and the UK Lawncare Association Annual Conference, plus a site visit through the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).”

BASIS Enquiry 78