SALTEX PREVIEW
The whole package
I n the 12 years since he established Greensward Sports Consultancy , it ’ s been seed from DLF that Director Andy Boyce has turned to for reliable results on surfaces from across the sporting spectrum . Whether it ’ s bowls , cricket or winter sports , Andy swears by mixtures from both Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed for germination , presentation and plant health that never fails to hit the mark .
Offering everything from regular maintenance contracts through to oneoff renovations , Greensward delivers the full complement of services to a wide variety of sports facilities across the South West . “ For me , the Masterline range from DLF offers not just versatility , but quality that has been consistent over the years ” explains Andy , who heads up a team of seven . “ This means that no matter the type of venue we ’ re working at , there ’ s a mixture or a combination of cultivars that ’ ll work .”
Andy ’ s go-to mixtures have been PM36 ( Wicket ) for cricket , croquet and grass tennis courts , and Masterline ’ s PM79 ( Playing Field ) for winter sports surfaces and cricket outfields . PM79 incorporates 50 % Double 4Turf ® tetraploid rye for stronger establishment , drought tolerance and exceptional disease resistance and overall performance during the winter months . “ A lot of the football pitches we ’ re working on are at grassroots level , some of which can be hosting three or four matches a week .
This is where you ’ re relying on mixtures with high wear tolerance and seed that can germinate at colder temperatures . DLF ’ s tetraploid perennial ryegrasses have been a massive step forward in helping us to deliver that .”
“ The Masterline range tends to be at just the right price-point for a lot of our clients , but it ’ s great to also have the Johnson ’ s mixtures at our disposal if we think something from this range will be better suited , or sometimes to fulfil a customer request .” Andy will consult with his DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett , whose advice he has trusted for many years . “ Ian is always on hand with the knowledge we need and can answer any questions we may have on the various cultivars , mixtures and ranges . The fantastic service compliments the seed – it ’ s the whole package .”
www . dlf . co . uk
14 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | Winter 2021