making turf matter
SCHOOLS
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Short renovation window means top school can’t afford to take chances
US E ME 18 SE BT LL 2 AT HA D
products I use guarantee results though the weather went at each stage of our renovation against us we still did it.” programme and that makes this After “Koro-ing off” the pitches, renovation window so much easier. I Andy applies Qualibra wetting agent can’t risk anything not working. I have at 10 L/ha (half rate) to aid the seeding a tried and tested method with these process. He then top dresses before products now – I have done it for the applying a base feed of SierrablenPlus last five years and it works perfectly. Renovator 20-20-8 at a rate of 35g/ “I trust in ICL and in my opinion m² in which the micro mini-granules the products just seem to be getting ensure even distribution for young better all of the time. They are seedlings while its high Phosphate creating new technologies turf and levels encourage strong root growth. sports pitches need. There are no Once the seed has germinated and gimmicks – it is all fact and they Andy reaches the second leaf stage, have trials and research to prove it. he applies Primo Maxx II at 0.8 L/ha “I also receive great support from which he tank-mixes with humic and Emma Kilby (ICL Technical Area fulvic acids to help with the uptake of Sales Manager) who helps me put iron and to avoid any yellowing of the together the programme. She is leaf. Based on his assessment of the always there if I need her. It’s nice plant Andy will, more often than not, go to be able to bounce ideas off one with another granular feed in the form another and we are always looking at of Greenmaster Pro-Lite NK 12-0-12 at any improvements we could make.” 35 g/m² which gives the turf an added boost complimenting SierrablenPlus which is consistently offering a controlled release of Nitrogen. Seven to ten days after the first application of Primo Maxx II, he reapplies it at a slightly higher rate of 1 L/ha, before another application of Qualibra at 10 L/ha just to help hold water in the profile. “These products just seem to work for us. Take Qualibra for example, it gives us a huge advantage in the seeding process. If you happen to have a hot spell, sometimes you only need as little as three hours of it being too hot and then your seed dies but Qualibra gives you that Sponsor of: protection because it The Terra Spike™ is renowned for speed, precision and easy operation. is extremely effective Choose from 11 different aerators: in holding moisture in from the all new super light SL to the rootzone,” the extra deep XP and everything he said. in between. “The
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With an incredibly short renovation window to transform his summer sports pitches into winter sports pitches, Andy Richards (pictured below), Grounds Manager at Shrewsbury School, can’t afford to take any risks with the products he uses. It is for this reason that he relies upon ICL products – all of which he says will guarantee him the results expected at the prestigious school. 2018 marked eight successful years at Shrewsbury School for Andy Richards. His groundsmanship journey all began at Birmingham City Council where he stayed for seven years before moving to King Edwards Grammar School. Three years later Andy accepted the position of Head Groundsman at Birmingham City FC but his passion for a multi-sports environment was always evident. Further spells at British Airways Clubs and Christ College in Brecon reignited his passion before being named as the Grounds Manager at Shrewsbury School. Now Andy finds himself at arguably one of the most used sports facilities in the UK’s education system. If it was a challenge Andy was looking for, then it is safe to say he has found one. “I don’t think I’m far off having the most amount of football, cricket and rugby matches in the whole of the UK. Last year we played host to just over 1,900 winter sports games – which is a lot especially when you have to cater for that amount in such a short renovation period,” he revealed. Last year, Andy’s final cricket game was played on August 6, leaving him an incredibly short window to prepare football pitches for the first game which was played on September 7. After ‘Koro-ing off’ eight of the pitches Andy had just 28 days to ensure the pitches were playable for the opening fixtures. “Last year was hard. Fortunately, I have 100% confidence in the ICL products I use and even
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