T Suståne 5-2-4 and 5-2- 10 + Fe is providing the
GOLF COURSES
Suståne improving disease resistance from the ground up at Ely City Golf Club
he combination of
T Suståne 5-2-4 and 5-2- 10 + Fe is providing the
perfect platform for a switch to finer grass species at Ely City Golf Club . Looking to improve disease resistance from the ground up is Course Manager Alan Magee , who explains how the tried and tested programme from Suståne is the ideal base feed for encouraging bent grass to flourish on the greens at the parkland club .
Ely City is regarded as one of the finest courses in East Anglia , located on the outskirts of Cambridge and delivering a challenging but picturesque 18-holes of mature parkland . Assisted by a team of five , Alan has been at the club for the last two and a half years . “ With the ongoing reduction in chemicals and the drive towards more sustainable practices , as greenkeepers , we ’ re having to tackle the issue of disease management in new ways – for me , that ’ s looking at how we can increase our tolerance with better , more resilient , grass species ” he explains .
No stranger to Suståne , Alan has been a longstanding user of their 5-2-4 all natural slow-release nitrogen fertiliser at his previous club in Dorset . “ The 5-2-4 is really the building block for the rest of our inputs . We apply this at eight-week intervals from the spring onwards , with complimentary liquid feeds put down as and when required .”
The original Suståne formula , 5-2-4 promotes enhanced disease suppression and quick green up , without excessive growth . Suitable for most turfgrass environments , Suståne 5-2-4 increases the soils ’ ability to hold water and nutrients , improving suppression of plant pathogens and strengthening the plant ’ s tolerance again heat , drought and other environmental stress factors . “ This product is a fantastic spring starter , getting us moving and providing all the nutrients we need to support bentgrass and strengthen our greens ahead of a busy playing season .”
“ For some extra oomph , we use the 5-2-10 + Fe every eight weeks from July onwards as we begin to prepare the surfaces for winter ” Alan adds . With its 1:2 N to K ratio , Suståne 5-2-10 + Fe aids plant hydration and disease suppression , also enhancing chlorophyll production for outstanding turf colour without excessive top growth .
“ This combination gives us great consistency and the versatility to adapt to surface requirements depending on the weather .” He continues , “ As we pursue a bigger bent population in our greens , I ’ m a firm believer that if we get the biology right in the soil , the rest of our programme will fall into place . Both the surfaces and the players will hopefully be thanking us as a result !”
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40 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | November / December 2024