Alongside leading cultivars for sports and amenity turf, stand thirty will also display an array of colour with demonstration planters from the popular Pro Flora and Colour Boost wildflower ranges.

As autumn renovation programmes begin, DLF’s 4turf tetraploid technology will be a key focus on the stand.

Key benefits of 4turf:

• Larger, more vigorous seeds support rapid germination and establishment, even in cooler conditions.
• Improved resilience helps turf withstand cold, drought and salt stress.
• Strong disease resistance, backed by excellent European trial results against red thread, brown patch, fusarium and grey leaf spot.
• Enhanced sward quality makes it particularly effective for cooler-season overseeding.

Together, these benefits help deliver high-quality playing surfaces while reducing input and labour costs.

4turf® is included in several popular autumn mixtures for sports turf, such as MM Tetrasport.

Another key focus will be wildflowers and their growing importance in land and amenity turf management. They provide essential food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife. DLF’s Pro Flora native-origin wildflower range includes 17 formulations, each designed to enhance colour, biodiversity and interest across a wide variety of environments.

For a striking display, visitors may consider mixtures from the Colour Boost collection, which combines both wildflower and garden flowering species that provide a bright display of colour that will also attract pollinators and insects.

The DLF technical team will be available throughout the two-day event on Stand 30 in Hall1 to offer technical advice and answer questions.

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As part of a significant new 10‑year agreement, which strengthens a relationship that has existed since the Hertfordshire resort opened more than two decades ago, The Grove has invested in a full machinery fleet renewal and update alongside the installation of a new irrigation system across the entire course.

The Grove’s leadership team put the deal out in a competitive tender process involving multiple manufacturers and selected Toro as its strategic partner for another decade.

“We’ve been a loyal Toro customer since the beginning,” says Will Evans, Agronomy and Facilities Director at The Grove. “And when we reviewed the complete solutions package, it quickly became clear it was again the right fit for us, especially with the irrigation system involved, new technologies emerging and the way the machinery and irrigation systems could work seamlessly together.

“Partnering with Reesink meant we could manage everything through one provider making the decision even more straightforward.”

While the deal includes a full machinery fleet update, there is also a heavy investment in a suite of the brand’s new digital technologies; all designed to transform turf management through real‑time data and precision control.

Fleet management and GPS spraying technology, moisture-responsive irrigation and autonomous mowing will work all together to enhance overall efficiency, sustainability, and course conditioning.

It is, says Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager, Reesink Turfcare, an agreement that positions The Grove and Toro at the forefront of innovation in UK golf course management: “By integrating Toro’s most advanced software solutions into operations, The Grove is positioning itself as a leader in modern, high‑performance turf management,” he says.

The agreement reinforces The Grove’s position as a designated Toro showcase venue, where customers and industry partners can experience the latest innovations in turf machinery, irrigation, and autonomous mowing in a live working environment.

Will explains: “We’ve had a close working relationship with Toro and have supported its presence in the UK market for many years. It’s exciting to see emerging technologies and new products demonstrated on our course and play a role in introducing them to UK customers.”

The transition to a full wall‑to‑wall irrigation system installation is scheduled and The Grove has already trialled Toro irrigation on reconstructed areas of the course, reporting strong early results.

Reesink UK and dealer Oliver Landpower will be supporting the deal with technical assistance, weekly on‑site visits, and ongoing training for The Grove’s greenkeeping and mechanical teams.

“Our relationship with The Grove dates to 2002, before the venue opened, when we supplied its initial fleet of Toro machinery and there have been many milestones in that time,” says Glen Giddings from Oliver Landpower.

“In 2006, when The Grove hosted the AMEX Championship one of our Master Technicians was on permanent standby, supporting early-morning machinery preparation, re-grinding and technical requirements to ensure tournament-grade performance. Now, we’ve transitioned from a supplier partnership into a trusted and collaborative relationship.”

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With more than 180 years of expertise, Mansfield Sand has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high-quality silica sand products.

Its solutions are trusted by elite sports stadiums, championship golf courses, professional training facilities and equestrian venues, delivering reliable performance where it matters most.

Throughout the event, the Mansfield Sand team will be available to discuss the company’s specialist products and how they can help improve the construction, renovation and long-term performance of natural turf surfaces.

Featured products will include:

Reinforced Rootzones

Developed for high-performance natural turf, these rootzones enhance strength, drainage and surface stability while maintaining consistent playing conditions. Options include:

• Fibre Reinforced Rootzone – polypropylene fibre-reinforced for increased durability
• Fibrelastic Rootzone – combines polypropylene and Elastane fibres for added flexibility and recovery
• Fibresand – ideal for pitches affected by heavy winter wear

Sand Soil Rootzones

Manufactured using premium screened topsoil and Mansil 40 Silica Sand, these blends provide an excellent foundation for both new construction and renovation projects.

Sand Compost Rootzones

A carefully balanced combination of sand and organic matter, designed to improve moisture retention, nutrient availability and drought resilience.

Top Dressing

Produced using Mansfield Sand’s own sterilised silica sand and high-quality soils, these stone-free top dressings are suitable for fine turf applications, with bespoke blends available to meet specific requirements.

Mansil Silica Sand Sports Range

Sourced from the company’s Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, the Mansil range is widely used across golf courses, bowling greens, winter sports pitches and a variety of amenity sports surfaces.

Whether you’re planning a new sports turf project or looking to improve existing playing surfaces, be sure to visit stand OSA260 and speak with the Mansfield Sand team at GroundsFest 2026.

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Visitors to Stand 28 in Hall 1 will be able to meet the GreenBest team, discuss their turf management requirements and learn more about the company’s professional product ranges and bespoke services.

With decades of industry experience, GreenBest supplies customers across the UK and internationally with reliable products supported by knowledgeable, personal service. At this year’s event, the company will showcase its range of liquid, granular and soluble fertilisers, alongside soil conditioners, biostimulants, wetting agents, grass seed and application equipment.

The portfolio is designed to support turf and lawn management throughout the year, from routine nutrition and seasonal feeding programmes to targeted treatments for specific soil and turf requirements.

GreenBest will also highlight its established Velvit range for the professional turf and amenity sectors, together with SmartLawn, its dedicated range for professional lawn care businesses.

GreenBest’s fertilisers are manufactured at its facility in Somerset, with a strong focus on quality, consistency and dependable performance. The company’s flexible manufacturing capabilities also allow it to provide bespoke fertiliser products and services for customers around the world.

These services include custom formulations, private-label products, tailored packaging and branded labels. Whether customers require a specific nutrient analysis, a product 

developed for a particular market or a complete own-brand range, GreenBest works closely with them to develop practical, market-ready solutions.

Technical support remains an important part of the GreenBest service. Its experienced sales team includes FACTS-qualified advisers who can provide guidance on nutrition, soil health, product selection and seasonal application programmes.

Visitors to GroundsFest can speak directly with the team about product recommendations, tailored nutritional programmes and bespoke manufacturing opportunities.

To learn more about GreenBest’s product ranges and bespoke capabilities, visit Stand 28 in Hall 1 at GroundsFest 2026 or go to www.greenbest.co.uk.

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A key focus on the stand will be two exciting grass varieties, EUROGALA and FLANELL, both of which are exclusively available in EuroGrass mixtures. Attendees will be able to view samples, speak to the DSV team and find out why these varieties are generating so much interest throughout the industry.

FLANELL has already established itself as one of the UK’s top-performing perennial ryegrass cultivars, ranking second in the prestigious S1 Sports Table in the BSPB Turfgrass Seed Booklet, sitting just behind another outstanding DSV variety, Euromagic. Exclusively available within the EuroGrass PRO Pitch mixture, FLANELL delivers exceptional sports turf performance, making it an exciting addition for grounds professionals seeking elite playing surfaces.

Alongside FLANELL, EUROGALA continues to impress across both ornamental and sports turf applications. The variety became the first in Germany to achieve the highest possible rating of 9 out of 9 for ornamental turf in the country’s official recommendation list and has also excelled in trials conducted by the German Football Association, demonstrating rapid, reliable germination, excellent winter establishment and fast ground cover. EUROGALA also holds one of the highest average scores in the STRI turf variety rankings, combining outstanding visual quality with excellent wear tolerance, an attractive mid-green colour and superb all-round performance, making it a highly recommended choice throughout Europe.

Golf course managers should also take the opportunity to learn more about EuroGrass PRO Links Fairway, a specialist fescue-only mixture developed specifically for links golf fairways and roughs. Designed for low-input maintenance regimes, the mixture delivers excellent drought tolerance while maintaining outstanding turf quality. It includes the newly listed MENTOR hard fescue alongside carefully selected creeping red and Chewings fescue varieties, providing exceptional density, resilience and year-round performance for fine turf environments.

The full EuroGrass range reflects DSV’s ongoing commitment to breeding and developing high-quality turfgrass varieties that combine excellent establishment, wear tolerance, disease resistance and visual appeal. Whether maintaining elite sports pitches, golf courses, landscaped areas or public spaces, visitors will be able to explore mixtures tailored to a wide range of applications and discover how the latest breeding innovations can help deliver stronger, healthier and more sustainable turf.

Visit DSV – EuroGrass on Hall 1, Stand 29 to explore the latest varieties, speak with the experts and discover the next generation of high-performance turfgrass solutions.

Please visit www.dsv-uk.co.uk for more information.

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Every decision has to deliver real value which is where the club are seeing positive results from a partnership with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) – two years into a programme which is making measured steps in the right direction without overstretching budgets, staff and site limitations.

Starting off in greenkeeping at the age of 16, Colin brought over four decades of experience to the characterful course nestled within Norfolk Breckland Heathland, over which time he’d gained first-hand knowledge of a vast array of tools, techniques and nutritional products.

This prior experience, combined with repeated conversations with OAS Area Sales Representative Mark Keysell at regional events, was the start of a positive parentship built on a genuine understanding of the club’s needs.

“While we were using other products initially, Mark continued to pop in from time to time and provided some advice on the greens and always kept us informed of the new and different products within the Origin’s range” Colin explains. “He then organised a meeting at BTME with members of the OAS technical team which provided the extra data and reassurance we needed to give a new programme a try.”

With limited irrigation and free-draining chalk and stone-based profiles, the plan centred around careful nutritional and moisture management to maintain consistency throughout the season. “On the greens we’re using a combination of granular and liquid fertiliser feeds, together with Ascoflex Plus biostimulant and Terafirm and TriCure AD wetting agents. Through the winter we then put down regular applications of the 20-20-30 tank mix to provide additional strength and resilience.”

Additional inputs across the wider course include Greenforce Pro, Darby selective herbicides and two formulations of Multi-Green – which Colin highlights as a particularly familiar and reliable part of the programme. “This is a product I’d used a lot previously and, while conditions are different here to my previous club, Multi-Green continues to deliver fantastic results season after season.”

What started with conversations around chemistry and product support, has extended into broader agronomic discussions, with Mark taking soil samples, organic matter readings and conducting a full review of the programme ahead of entering year two. “This is so important and means we can determine where progress is being made and what adjustments may be needed to ensure we continue taking those steps in the right direction.”

Colin adds, “The club, the players and the directors can all see the improvements in course condition which is incredibly rewarding but it’s not something that is achieved by yourself. I’m incredibly fortunate to have five motivated greenkeepers, fantastically supportive directors and excellent advisors like Mark who prove that, together, teamwork really does make the dream work!”

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Visitors to the ICL stand will have the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in turf and landscape management with our technical and commercial teams, as well as explore a range of products designed to support consistent performance throughout the growing season.

A key focus this year will be the launch of the new H2Pro TriSmart Granules, extending the H2Pro TriSmart range with a granular wetting agent solution that supports effective moisture management and helps improve water distribution within the soil profile.

ICL will also be showcasing its Landscaper Pro fertiliser range, developed to provide reliable, professional nutrition for landscapes, lawns and amenity areas. Visitors can discuss programme recommendations and product selection for a wide range of landscape applications.

Weed management remains an important part of successful grounds maintenance, and the team will be available to discuss integrated control strategies using Roundup ProVantage and Roundup ProActive for total weed control, alongside selective herbicides Praxys and Trophy XL for the control of broad-leaved weeds in managed turf.

Throughout the event, visitors will have the opportunity to speak directly with ICL’s specialists about product selection, application timing and integrated turf management programmes, helping them develop practical approaches tailored to their needs.

Visit the ICL stand at GroundsFest 2026 to discover the latest innovations, discuss current turf and landscape challenges, and find practical solutions to support healthy, resilient surfaces throughout the year.

The post Practical advice and proven solutions from ICL at GroundsFest 2026 appeared first on Professional Groundscare.

This, suggests Agronomist Kate Finlayson, can be achieved by incorporating silicon into grounds care maintenance routines.

“Silicon is not always discussed in the same way as nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium or iron, but I think that is changing,” she says. “In elite turf, the question is not just what has been applied. It is whether the plant can actually use that nutrition effectively and turn it into performance.”

Granular fertilisers, foliar feeds and soil drenches all remain essential tools for professional grounds teams. Granular fertilisers provide the nutritional foundation, foliar nutrition allows more targeted support when a faster response is required, and soil drenches can focus activity in the rootzone.

Plant-available silicon sits alongside these approaches. Its role is not to replace existing nutrition, but to help strengthen the plant and support more efficient use of the programme already in place.

“A nutrition programme is only as effective as the plant’s ability to access and use the nutrients available to it,” says Kate. “If rooting is weak, uptake is restricted. If the plant is under stress, nutrient assimilation can be compromised. If photosynthesis is limited, the plant has less energy available for recovery and growth. That is particularly relevant in stadium turf, where light, temperature, wear and recovery windows are constantly changing,” she adds.

Plant-available silicon is associated with stronger cell walls, improved leaf rigidity and greater tolerance to wear and environmental stress. In practical turf terms, this can support a tougher plant that is better able to tolerate mowing, play, divoting and short recovery windows.

Recovery is where Kate believes silicon becomes especially relevant. “After play, the turf plant has to rebuild damaged tissue, maintain density, continue producing new roots and shoots, and restore surface integrity. Nutrition is central to that process, but the plant has to be in a position to use the nutrients being supplied. That is where plant-available silicon can add value,” she says.

Trial work carried out with the STRI, using Orion Future Technologies’ plant-available silicon, Fossil, showed improved uptake of several key nutrients. In the turf data, the most relevant responses were silicon, calcium, iron and magnesium. Kate says that profile matters because each nutrient links directly to turf performance.

“Silicon supports structural strength. A plant with stronger cell walls and improved rigidity is better equipped to tolerate wear and maintain leaf quality. Calcium is essential for actively growing tissue, particularly root tips, shoot tips and new leaf growth. In sports turf, that links directly to recovery because the plant needs to rebuild damaged tissue and keep producing new roots and shoots after play. Iron supports chlorophyll function, colour and plant performance, while magnesium sits at the centre of the chlorophyll molecule and is essential for photosynthesis. That is particularly relevant where light is restricted, such as shaded stadium environments or winter periods,” she says

She further suggests that silicon should not be treated as a standalone input and instead should be considered as part of the wider nutrition strategy.

“Traditional fertiliser planning often focuses on what is being applied: nitrogen levels, potassium balance, iron source, foliar mix or rootzone treatment. Those questions still matter, but the next question is how effectively the plant is using that nutrition,” she says.

For top-end venues, sustainability is also becoming a bigger part of the nutrition conversation. The focus is not simply on reducing fertiliser inputs, but on demonstrating that nutrition is being managed intelligently, with a clear link between inputs, plant response and surface performance.

“Silicon should not sit outside the nutrition programme, it should be built into it with a clear objective,” adds Kate.

She suggests potential outcomes could include improved recovery in high-wear areas, better rooting in restricted zones, support during periods of shade, or helping the plant cope when recovery windows are tight.

“The most effective approach is targeted and measurable. Using tissue analysis, visual assessment, recovery observations and surface performance data will help understand the response,” she says.

Plant-available silicon provides a way to strengthen the link between nutrition and performance. By supporting plant structure, nutrient uptake and recovery, it can help grounds teams get more value from granular fertilisers, foliar feeds and soil drenches.

“In modern sports turf management, nutrition is no longer just about feeding the plant, it’s about building a stronger, more resilient plant system,” she concludes.

The post Improve nutrient management in elite turf nutrition appeared first on Professional Groundscare.

From heavy winter rainfall to prolonged dry spells, the demands placed on a jumps track require products that can be relied upon in all conditions.

That is why Mansfield Sand products have become an integral part of Warwick Racecourse’s maintenance programme. Having used the company’s materials throughout much of his career, Guy trusts Mansfield Sand’s rootzone and fibre-reinforced products to help deliver the performance, drainage and recovery needed to keep the track in prime condition.

Guy’s career in turf management spans almost three decades. After starting in racing at Sandown in 1997 as Assistant Groundsman, he progressed to Head Groundsman roles at Nottingham, Great Yarmouth and Newcastle before arriving at Warwick.

“It’s the weather that’s the biggest challenge,” he explained. “We’re either pumping water off or pumping water on to get a consistent racing surface. All the way through the winter we were battling huge amounts of rain, and then the taps turned off in March and we started watering.”

To help manage these changing conditions, Guy relies on Mansfield Sand’s 70/30 Sand Soil Rootzone during the winter months, and the company’s 60/40 Sand Compost Rootzone throughout the spring and summer.

The 70/30 Rootzone Mix combines 70% premium silica sand with 30% screened topsoil to create a stable, free-draining growing medium, while the 60/40 Sand Compost Rootzone blends premium quality Mansil 40 silica sand with PAS 100 certified green compost, providing enhanced moisture retention and nutrient availability during the growing season.

“We use the 70/30 and the 60/40 after every race meeting,” said Guy. “Our season starts in September, and we’ve just finished our last meeting. They’re used for repairs after every race day, and on heavy ground we can use up to 50 tonnes.”

The different characteristics of the two rootzones allow Guy and his team to adapt to changing seasonal conditions.

“The 70/30 Sand Soil is what I use in the winter because it doesn’t hold moisture,” he explained. “When the ground freezes, one of the problems you can have is repairs freezing into lumps, which can stop racing. The 70/30 Sand Soil is free draining, so it gives us better recovery and a better chance of racing in cold conditions.

“When I switch to the 60/40 Sand Compost, it holds moisture, which is exactly what you want in warmer temperatures. It helps retain moisture for seed germination and recovery, so it all helps the track recover faster.”

Alongside the rootzone products, Guy has also been a long-term user of Mansfield Sand’s fibre-reinforced materials.

“I’ve used the Fibresand and 70/30 Fibre Rootzone Landscape for many years, going back to my time at Nottingham and Newcastle,” he said. “We use the Fibresand on footpaths and canter-downs, and in extreme conditions we’ll repair problem areas with the 70/30 Fibre Rootzone Landscape to make sure we can continue to race.

When asked why he continues to choose Mansfield Sand products, Guy’s answer is simple.

“It’s the quality and consistency, It’s always spot on. I’ve used products from all over the country and Mansfield has always been superior. There just isn’t anything that can compare.

“With some products I have used in the past, you’d find stones, bits of debris, lumps of clay or weed seeds. Suddenly your track starts looking like a meadow. You don’t get any of that with Mansfield products. They’re weed-free and you know exactly what you’re getting every time.”

The dependable quality also helps improve efficiency for Guy’s team.

“It definitely makes the lads’ lives easier,” he said. “Instead of having to sort through product or remove stones and debris, they can just get on with the job.”

Equally important is the confidence that materials will arrive when required, particularly during a busy racing season when repairs need to be completed quickly.

“You can rely on it,” said Guy. “Whenever you need a delivery, it turns up. There’s never any doubt that you’re going to get what you need, when you need it.”

After many years of using Mansfield Sand products across several racecourses, Guy has no hesitation in recommending them to others.

Reflecting on the relationship, he added: “Mansfield Sand has been there as long as I’ve been doing the job and it’s always been a very, very good product. If I’ve got any questions to ask, my rep Louise Barrington-Earp is always there. She’s brilliant.”

For Warwick Racecourse, where track quality and safety are paramount, the combination of product performance, consistency and dependable service continues to make Mansfield Sand an essential part of maintaining racing standards throughout the year.

The post Keeping Warwick Racecourse race-ready with Mansfield Sand appeared first on Professional Groundscare.

Head Greenkeeper Jim Storey has spent the last 27 years finessing that natural beauty, employing maintenance that supports both the long-term course management and local wildlife.

For the last decade this work has included establishing wildflower areas and, more recently with the help of DLF Seeds, he says these have delivered both visual impact and ecological value.

“Creating habitats and supporting wildlife has been one of our major objectives for the last 10 years” says Jim, who heads up a greenkeeping team of seven. “Using our collective knowledge and experience, the team and I have thinned out the roughs and created new spaces to support insects, pollinators, small mammals and birds. Our wildflower areas have become a really important part of that.”

Jim has worked with various mixtures from DLF’s Pro Flora and Colour Boost ranges to establish five wildflower areas, most recently adding a burst of colour and broad variety of flowering species with the Carnival mix. “We’ve selected spaces where we can compliment the surrounding landscape and really add to the experience for the golfers, especially on a nice sunny day!”

Another of the recent projects sits close to the first tee, where wildflowers have been established among areas of fine fescue and yellow rattle – creating a vibrant focal point adjacent to newly planted fruit trees. “We’ve now got pollinators working between the flowers and the fruit trees which is exactly what we hoped to achieve” he adds.

It’s not just pollinators enjoying the new wildflower areas. Jim continues, “We’ve definitely seen an increased in the number and variety of animals we’re seeing since the introduction of the wildflower. We’ve got all sorts of insect, voles and field mice which means, in turn, we’re also seeing barn owls. It’s been really fantastic to see.”

“We’ve also enjoyed speaking with agronomists and fellow greenkeepers about the project, learning about different flowers and getting ideas together to discuss with our DLF Regional Technical Manager Ben Morgan.” He concludes, “Every year we’ll look to add another area if we see an opportunity, which is only going to help us get richer in biodiversity with every passing season.”

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