My Lawn Care System
Quick, Easy and Effective
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Using my unique fertilisers, there is little work and no specialist knowledge required to maintain croquet lawns to a high standard. Applying fertiliser takes less than 2 hours a year per croquet lawn. Controlling moss and weeds will take another two or three hours. There are no "chemicals" or PPPs that require pesticide Certification or Registration.
I have devised programmes specifically for croquet lawns, these include Summer and Winter Programmes. If you don't have a broadcast sprayer, the granular programmes will the be best option. For clubs that do have a broadcast sprayer (spray width 4 yards), liquid programmes will be the choice. Everything you need to know about the programmes is provided in my Shop including application quantities, dilutions and application calendars. If you have any questions, I'm readily available to offer guidance and support, and can conduct on-site video calls if necessary. This approach makes it suitable for club members, gardeners or contractors to do the manual work and puts the club in overall control with my guidance available if required. |
The Deep Dive Team explains
This audio discussion features members of the Deep Dive team – analysts who review the background material, challenge common misconceptions and translate technical information into clear, usable guidance. CLICK the play button to listen 
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Organics not Synthetics
My programmes use organic based fertilisers that work biologically so that the lawns look after themselves. Apart from winter use, I don't recommend synthetic chemical fertilisers which cause the build up of thatch, slow lawns and the need to scarify.
My programmes use organic based fertilisers that work biologically so that the lawns look after themselves. Apart from winter use, I don't recommend synthetic chemical fertilisers which cause the build up of thatch, slow lawns and the need to scarify.
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The Deep Dive Team explains the role of microbes in turf care
CLICK the play button to listen
CLICK the play button to listen
Traditional synthetic chemical feeding programmes tend to stimulate top growth without enhancing soil biology, which can lead to increased thatch formation and a reliance on scarification to remove it. The thatch creates a spongy, slow surface which is not ideal for croquet because long shots become physically more difficult
In contrast, the organic system I advocate focuses on increasing the rate of biological breakdown in the rootzone. One of the fertilisers I supply incorporates Biogran, which introduces a broad spectrum of beneficial bacteria alongside mycorrhizal fungi. These organisms work together to decompose organic matter within the thatch layer and rootzone, converting it into plant-available nutrition while improving soil structure and root function.
In contrast, the organic system I advocate focuses on increasing the rate of biological breakdown in the rootzone. One of the fertilisers I supply incorporates Biogran, which introduces a broad spectrum of beneficial bacteria alongside mycorrhizal fungi. These organisms work together to decompose organic matter within the thatch layer and rootzone, converting it into plant-available nutrition while improving soil structure and root function.
Mainstay Organic Formula
This organic based granular fertiliser incorporates a source of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, trace elements and significant levels of amino acids. It provides not only the nutrition for growth and root development, but also an organic bio-stimulant effect to boost the plant’s ability to cope with stressful conditions including drought and heat.
The organics also stimulate beneficial micro-organisms in the soil generating further benefits for soil structure and nutrient availability. Past experience shows that, in most soils, the biological nature of this product prevents thatch build-up thus eliminating the need to scarify.
Thatch-Busting Formula
The unique Biogran fertiliser costs a bit more but the special biological substrate does the heavy lifting. It reduces thatch through bacterial action by around 30% per annum, eliminating the need to scarify and producing superb fast croquet lawns with little effort. The system is proven over a thirteen year period at croquet clubs across the country.
Slow Release
Slow release is achieved by using longer, more complex molecules that soil bacteria take longer to break down. This biological approach avoids polymer coatings that break down gradually as a result of rainfall and therefore does not introduce microplastics into the soil. A further drawback of coated granules is that if they are broken up by mowing, they behave as fast-release fertiliser, not slow release.
Granular Programmes
Granular fertilisers are applied using a spreader in April, June and August. Spreading takes about 10 minutes per lawn. The programmes are designed specifically for croquet lawns even down to the 15kg bags. One bag for a half lawn, two for a full size lawn and three for a bowling green size. The bags are easy to handle and store.
Fertilisers working with nature
The granular fertilisers dissipate into the root zone where they are converted by bacteria at a molecular level into usable nutrition for the roots to absorb. In cool dry weather, there is little plant demand, the bacteria are less active so convert less. When growing conditions improve, bacteria become active and start converting the fertiliser again thus providing nutrition for the grass in sympathy with plant demand.
Liquid Programmes
The Liquid Programmes use Biofeed which contains humates and is sprayed once in June and once in July. Biogran granular fertiliser is applied in April and again in August - the bacteria and mychorrhizal fungi cannot be supplied in liquid form. Wetting Agent and Soluble iron can be mixed with the Biofeed to control Dry Patch, moss and fungal disease such as Dollar Spot and Red Thread in the summer. Liquid Winter feeds are very low cost and can also be combined with Soluble Iron to control moss and winter fungal diseases such as Fusarium.
Moss
Moss is controlled by spraying Soluble Iron, available in my shop. The B16 knapsack sprayer featured in my online shop is ideal. It takes 4 minutes to spray 100 sq metres at a cost of about 60p for the iron.
Within a few hours, the moss will turn black. The dead moss can be raked out or just left to let the grass grow through.
Weeds
Use Weedol for Lawns which is available from Garden Centres. If you have a few weeds, a hand applicator is best. Otherwise, buy a bottle of concentrate. This can be diluted in water and applied using the B16 knapsack sprayer mentioned above.
Disease
There are several fungal diseases that can affect fine turf. They are all controlled with Soluble Iron in the same way as moss.
Dry Patch
This is easily cured by spraying a liquid curative, available in my shop.
Seed
I supply Origin R8 Ultrafine Seed as used at Surbiton and many other clubs.
Mowing
The summer cut height is 4mm to 7mm. In winter increase the height to 8 to 10 mm. Mowing every few weeks in the winter is important. It helps to thicken the sward, encourages a dwarf habit and discourages coarse grasses.
No Scarifying
The Thatch-Busting Formula will reduce thatch and the Mainstay Organic fertiliser will prevent the build up of thatch on most soils thus eliminating the need to scarify.
This organic based granular fertiliser incorporates a source of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, trace elements and significant levels of amino acids. It provides not only the nutrition for growth and root development, but also an organic bio-stimulant effect to boost the plant’s ability to cope with stressful conditions including drought and heat.
The organics also stimulate beneficial micro-organisms in the soil generating further benefits for soil structure and nutrient availability. Past experience shows that, in most soils, the biological nature of this product prevents thatch build-up thus eliminating the need to scarify.
Thatch-Busting Formula
The unique Biogran fertiliser costs a bit more but the special biological substrate does the heavy lifting. It reduces thatch through bacterial action by around 30% per annum, eliminating the need to scarify and producing superb fast croquet lawns with little effort. The system is proven over a thirteen year period at croquet clubs across the country.
Slow Release
Slow release is achieved by using longer, more complex molecules that soil bacteria take longer to break down. This biological approach avoids polymer coatings that break down gradually as a result of rainfall and therefore does not introduce microplastics into the soil. A further drawback of coated granules is that if they are broken up by mowing, they behave as fast-release fertiliser, not slow release.
Granular Programmes
Granular fertilisers are applied using a spreader in April, June and August. Spreading takes about 10 minutes per lawn. The programmes are designed specifically for croquet lawns even down to the 15kg bags. One bag for a half lawn, two for a full size lawn and three for a bowling green size. The bags are easy to handle and store.
Fertilisers working with nature
The granular fertilisers dissipate into the root zone where they are converted by bacteria at a molecular level into usable nutrition for the roots to absorb. In cool dry weather, there is little plant demand, the bacteria are less active so convert less. When growing conditions improve, bacteria become active and start converting the fertiliser again thus providing nutrition for the grass in sympathy with plant demand.
Liquid Programmes
The Liquid Programmes use Biofeed which contains humates and is sprayed once in June and once in July. Biogran granular fertiliser is applied in April and again in August - the bacteria and mychorrhizal fungi cannot be supplied in liquid form. Wetting Agent and Soluble iron can be mixed with the Biofeed to control Dry Patch, moss and fungal disease such as Dollar Spot and Red Thread in the summer. Liquid Winter feeds are very low cost and can also be combined with Soluble Iron to control moss and winter fungal diseases such as Fusarium.
Moss
Moss is controlled by spraying Soluble Iron, available in my shop. The B16 knapsack sprayer featured in my online shop is ideal. It takes 4 minutes to spray 100 sq metres at a cost of about 60p for the iron.
Within a few hours, the moss will turn black. The dead moss can be raked out or just left to let the grass grow through.
Weeds
Use Weedol for Lawns which is available from Garden Centres. If you have a few weeds, a hand applicator is best. Otherwise, buy a bottle of concentrate. This can be diluted in water and applied using the B16 knapsack sprayer mentioned above.
Disease
There are several fungal diseases that can affect fine turf. They are all controlled with Soluble Iron in the same way as moss.
Dry Patch
This is easily cured by spraying a liquid curative, available in my shop.
Seed
I supply Origin R8 Ultrafine Seed as used at Surbiton and many other clubs.
Mowing
The summer cut height is 4mm to 7mm. In winter increase the height to 8 to 10 mm. Mowing every few weeks in the winter is important. It helps to thicken the sward, encourages a dwarf habit and discourages coarse grasses.
No Scarifying
The Thatch-Busting Formula will reduce thatch and the Mainstay Organic fertiliser will prevent the build up of thatch on most soils thus eliminating the need to scarify.
