Tailor made fertilisers
These fertilisers are not "off the shelf". They are made specifically to my analysis for you and the quantities of nutrient in the bag can be changed to suit your lawns. For example, a bag of the Spring fertiliser has 6% Nitrogen this can be changed to 5% or 7% to suit your lawns, just email me when you place your order. The liquid fertiliser input can be adjusted by adding more or less concentrate when filling the tank. This means that you can control the nutrition levels very easily and there is no difference in cost.
How the fertiliser works
The granular fertilisers are all 1mm-2mm mini granules. The Spring/Autumn Biogran fertiliser contains a broad spectrum of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi which encourage the breakdown of thatch into usable nutrients within the root zone. Results across many croquet clubs show that thatch is reduced by about 30% per annum until an ideal level of 5 to 8mm is reached. At this point the breakdown of thatch equals the production of thatch and therefore stays in balance. This system is in line with the Sports Turf Research Institute article "Do Not Disturb" and eliminates the need to remove thatch mechanically by scarification which is damaging to fine grasses.
Magnesium oxide is also included in the fertiliser to promote photosynthesis and plant health. The Mycorrhizae attach to the grassroots and grow long invisible hyphae into the surrounding soil. As a result of photosynthesis, the grass provides a constant supply of carbohydrates to the fungi. In exchange, the fungi provide minerals and moisture to the grass. It is a partnership made in heaven because the fungal hyphae are much longer and finer than the roots and have a much higher absorptive capacity.
The Summer Granular Fertiliser has an organic base and releases nutrients over an eight week period. The fertiliser is converted into usable nutrition for the plants by bacterial action. When favourable growing conditions exist (warm and moist), the bacteria are more active thus providing increased nutrients in sympathy with plant demand. The slow release is accomplished by incorporating longer, more complex molecules which take bacteria longer to break down.
The Liquid Biofeed Fertilisers contain Humic Acid and Sea Weed. Humic acid is derived from humus and, along with the Sea Weed, promote an active soil bioligy, helping thatch breakdown and healthy growth. If you are using a growth regulator, it is best to have the version without Sea Weed because it contains gibberelic acid which encourages growth and growth regulators try to do the opposite. Liquid fertiliser enters the plant mainly through the leaf and any that misses the leaf will be washed into the rootzone and be absorbed by the roots. This means that the fertiliser enters the plant quickly and has the advantage that there are no granules left on the surface. The lawn can be used as soon as dry which is usually within an hour. The fertiliser can be tank mixed with wetting agent, liquid iron 6% and growth regulators. Do not spray apply on a hot day because it could cause scorch.
I prefer to apply fertiliser late in the day as morning dew will help to dissipate the granules and, when the weather is hot, liquid fertiliser can be absorbed overnight when it is cooler. With granular fertiliser, try to apply before rain is expected. Do not apply fertiliser if the grass is stressed (drought). The fertiliser is not toxic to humans, pets or wildlife and the croquet lawn can be used immediately after application, allow an hour for liquid fertiliser to dry.
Optional winter feeds.
The Liquid Winter Feed 18 0 10 is applied at a quarter strength and is a very economical way of maintaining a healthy sward during the winter months. The granular winter feed 3 5 10 8% Iron has the advantage that the iron content helps to control moss
Wetting Agent
It is a good idea to prevent the onset of Dry Patch by using a wetting agent. I recommend Resolute which remains effective in the root zone for 3 months instead of 4 weeks like most wetting agents. Resolute was first available two or three years ago and I have been using it for the last two years along with a growing number of croquet clubs. It can be mixed in your sprayer tank with the Liquid Biofeed.
Soil conditioner
Soil Conditioner is essential on some alkaline lawns to clean the soil and help produce a superb, smooth playing surface. If you would like to know more about the beneficial effects of this product, please phone me.
Growth Regulator
Growth regulator reduces the vertical growth of the plant but increases lateral growth, thus thickening the sward and also promotes root development. I helps to keep lawns faster for longer. I find that I still mow twice a week but the amount of clippings is reduced by about 50% and my lawn stays faster between cuts. Unfortunately this product is classified as a pesticide and therefore the operator (or supervisor) must have a Pesticide Certificate. I use 40 ml per month in May, Jun, July and August. Sometimes I skip a month if the growth is low.
Liquid Iron 6%
Liquid iron can be tank mixed with Biofeed and is a good way of greening up your grass and providing some protection against fungal attack. I use 2 litres mixed with Biofeed and 40 litres of water for my croquet lawn. It isn't strong enough to kill moss but it does seem to kill red thread to some degree. I am still trying it out so will report on findings during this year.
Moss
Moss produces spores twice a year so should be treated in Spring and Autumn to kill the moss and prevent new spores ripening. Moss doesn’t have a vascular system and the roots have no function except to hold onto the ground, so re-growth is caused by spores in the soil not from roots. The winter feed mentioned above will reduce the moss to some extent but is not as strong as soluble Iron. The grade of iron that I supply dissolves well even in very cold water, is widely used by professionals and works really well. One bag is enough to treat the whole lawn five times so is very cost effective, there are cheaper alternatives but Iron comes in many grades and some can be hard to dissolve and very damaging to sprayers. At the dilution that I recommend it will blacken moss and I usually leave it and let the grass grow through, that way the surface isn’t disrupted. However, you can rake lightly but try not to disturb the rootzone.
Be careful to wash your sprayer out very thoroughly so that no iron is left in the pipes or pump as it will re-crystalise and potentially ruin the sprayer. For spot treatment, a watering can and fine rose can be used.
These fertilisers are not "off the shelf". They are made specifically to my analysis for you and the quantities of nutrient in the bag can be changed to suit your lawns. For example, a bag of the Spring fertiliser has 6% Nitrogen this can be changed to 5% or 7% to suit your lawns, just email me when you place your order. The liquid fertiliser input can be adjusted by adding more or less concentrate when filling the tank. This means that you can control the nutrition levels very easily and there is no difference in cost.
How the fertiliser works
The granular fertilisers are all 1mm-2mm mini granules. The Spring/Autumn Biogran fertiliser contains a broad spectrum of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi which encourage the breakdown of thatch into usable nutrients within the root zone. Results across many croquet clubs show that thatch is reduced by about 30% per annum until an ideal level of 5 to 8mm is reached. At this point the breakdown of thatch equals the production of thatch and therefore stays in balance. This system is in line with the Sports Turf Research Institute article "Do Not Disturb" and eliminates the need to remove thatch mechanically by scarification which is damaging to fine grasses.
Magnesium oxide is also included in the fertiliser to promote photosynthesis and plant health. The Mycorrhizae attach to the grassroots and grow long invisible hyphae into the surrounding soil. As a result of photosynthesis, the grass provides a constant supply of carbohydrates to the fungi. In exchange, the fungi provide minerals and moisture to the grass. It is a partnership made in heaven because the fungal hyphae are much longer and finer than the roots and have a much higher absorptive capacity.
The Summer Granular Fertiliser has an organic base and releases nutrients over an eight week period. The fertiliser is converted into usable nutrition for the plants by bacterial action. When favourable growing conditions exist (warm and moist), the bacteria are more active thus providing increased nutrients in sympathy with plant demand. The slow release is accomplished by incorporating longer, more complex molecules which take bacteria longer to break down.
The Liquid Biofeed Fertilisers contain Humic Acid and Sea Weed. Humic acid is derived from humus and, along with the Sea Weed, promote an active soil bioligy, helping thatch breakdown and healthy growth. If you are using a growth regulator, it is best to have the version without Sea Weed because it contains gibberelic acid which encourages growth and growth regulators try to do the opposite. Liquid fertiliser enters the plant mainly through the leaf and any that misses the leaf will be washed into the rootzone and be absorbed by the roots. This means that the fertiliser enters the plant quickly and has the advantage that there are no granules left on the surface. The lawn can be used as soon as dry which is usually within an hour. The fertiliser can be tank mixed with wetting agent, liquid iron 6% and growth regulators. Do not spray apply on a hot day because it could cause scorch.
I prefer to apply fertiliser late in the day as morning dew will help to dissipate the granules and, when the weather is hot, liquid fertiliser can be absorbed overnight when it is cooler. With granular fertiliser, try to apply before rain is expected. Do not apply fertiliser if the grass is stressed (drought). The fertiliser is not toxic to humans, pets or wildlife and the croquet lawn can be used immediately after application, allow an hour for liquid fertiliser to dry.
Optional winter feeds.
The Liquid Winter Feed 18 0 10 is applied at a quarter strength and is a very economical way of maintaining a healthy sward during the winter months. The granular winter feed 3 5 10 8% Iron has the advantage that the iron content helps to control moss
Wetting Agent
It is a good idea to prevent the onset of Dry Patch by using a wetting agent. I recommend Resolute which remains effective in the root zone for 3 months instead of 4 weeks like most wetting agents. Resolute was first available two or three years ago and I have been using it for the last two years along with a growing number of croquet clubs. It can be mixed in your sprayer tank with the Liquid Biofeed.
Soil conditioner
Soil Conditioner is essential on some alkaline lawns to clean the soil and help produce a superb, smooth playing surface. If you would like to know more about the beneficial effects of this product, please phone me.
Growth Regulator
Growth regulator reduces the vertical growth of the plant but increases lateral growth, thus thickening the sward and also promotes root development. I helps to keep lawns faster for longer. I find that I still mow twice a week but the amount of clippings is reduced by about 50% and my lawn stays faster between cuts. Unfortunately this product is classified as a pesticide and therefore the operator (or supervisor) must have a Pesticide Certificate. I use 40 ml per month in May, Jun, July and August. Sometimes I skip a month if the growth is low.
Liquid Iron 6%
Liquid iron can be tank mixed with Biofeed and is a good way of greening up your grass and providing some protection against fungal attack. I use 2 litres mixed with Biofeed and 40 litres of water for my croquet lawn. It isn't strong enough to kill moss but it does seem to kill red thread to some degree. I am still trying it out so will report on findings during this year.
Moss
Moss produces spores twice a year so should be treated in Spring and Autumn to kill the moss and prevent new spores ripening. Moss doesn’t have a vascular system and the roots have no function except to hold onto the ground, so re-growth is caused by spores in the soil not from roots. The winter feed mentioned above will reduce the moss to some extent but is not as strong as soluble Iron. The grade of iron that I supply dissolves well even in very cold water, is widely used by professionals and works really well. One bag is enough to treat the whole lawn five times so is very cost effective, there are cheaper alternatives but Iron comes in many grades and some can be hard to dissolve and very damaging to sprayers. At the dilution that I recommend it will blacken moss and I usually leave it and let the grass grow through, that way the surface isn’t disrupted. However, you can rake lightly but try not to disturb the rootzone.
Be careful to wash your sprayer out very thoroughly so that no iron is left in the pipes or pump as it will re-crystalise and potentially ruin the sprayer. For spot treatment, a watering can and fine rose can be used.
