TOOLS , PLANT & EQUIPMENT
JOHNSONS DELIVERS MORE THAN JUST A
PREMIER WICKET
FOR AGEAS BOWL
with different conditions you ’ re never sure how a product will adapt . My team and I couldn ’ t be happier with the strength and robustness we have achieved on our squares and now with matches every two weeks , we ’ re relying on its rapid germination to not only improve presentation , but to provide enough resilience to host matches later in the year .”
A break in play caused by the first COVID lockdown provided Ageas Bowl Head Groundsman Simon Lee with a window of opportunity to conduct a full renovation of the club ’ s nursery ground . While the events of last year certainly kept everyone on their toes , Simon ’ s knowledge and experience of using Johnsons Sports Seed mixtures for the last 10 years , meant the results of the renovation – completed with J Intense – came as no surprise !
Simon took over at the home of Hampshire CCC in January 2020 , on the back of nine years as Head Groundsman at Somerset CCC where he ’ d used both J Intense and J Premier Wicket . “ You know what you ’ re going to get with Johnsons in terms of germination and quality of sward . We had just under seven weeks to get the project complete , before a number of international teams used the ground as a base for three months of training . The speed with which the seed established allowed us to get the ground back in play rapidly and I strongly believe that without that , we would have really struggled for coverage with the high levels of sustained play .”
The 100 % perennial ryegrass J Intense mixture was sown on the nursery ground outfields in May – providing exceptional disease resistance and high wear tolerance and recovery , even under close mown conditions . On the main ground it was the proven Johnsons J Premier Wicket mixture , sown at relatively high rates , to recover some bare areas from the previous season and set the stage for a condensed season of matches – albeit behind closed doors .
“ I have always had fantastic results with J Premier Wicket mixture in the past but coming to a new ground
Simon concludes , “ Despite the cold and challenging conditions we ’ ve had to start this year , the Johnsons mixtures are hardy enough and we can see the fruits of our labour with some germination already , and only more to come when conditions allow .”
Johnsons J Premier Wicket is also available with DLF ’ s ProNitro ® seed coat technology – making it a great overseeding option for upcoming autumn renovations . Now including hydroactive water management technology , ProNitro ® contains both fast and slow-release nitrogen to improve nutrient utilisation through the early stages of plant growth leading to stronger germination , quick uniform growth and improved root & shoot density .
Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 1386 791102 Fax : + 44 ( 0 ) 1386 792715 www . johnsonssportsseed . co . uk
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