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You can now redeem your Turf Rewards points on wildflower seed mixes to create valuable Operation Pollinator habitats. There are three different mixes, each selected by specialists to be suitable for individual styles of golf course environment - parkland; heathland and links. They include a range of flower species to provide a prolonged period of pollen and nectar food source for a diverse range of bees, butterflies and other insects - as well as the designated areas creating essential areas for breeding and overwintering.    All of the mixes include some species that are relatively easy to establish and quick to deliver pollen and nectar, as well as others that might require longer or specific conditions to thrive. They are all designed with some perennial species for a long-lasting habitat creation. Parkland wildflower mix What's in the mix:Black knapweedWild carrotField scabiousBird's-foot trefoilSelfhealWild red cloverLady's bedstrawYellow rattleRibwort plantain …

 Record keeping of spraying activities is a legal requirement for turf managers and a key element of good stewardship. Detailed records of what you did, when and why, are also extremely valuable in justifying treatments and expenses, as well as evaluating what worked most effectively to help with future decisons. The GreenCast spraying records section provides a series of templates to quickly and easily compile and maintain records. You can complete the pdf forms on your computer, or print out and complete them by hand. Save your record sheets or print them out to keep your records up to date. Now, the forms are available in portrait or landscape format - so you can select what works best for your system. The images below show example content of what you might complete; the on line forms are blank for your details.Spraying Record SheetsSprayer Operator DetailsSpray Store RecordsNozzle Calibration Records Click on the details beneath the images below to…

Operation Pollinator is creating a real buzz around North Foreland Golf Club. Members and visitors are instantly captivated in what's going, but it's also stimulating added interest for the greenkeeping team, reports Course Manager, Dan McGrath, MG.

Greenkeepers and turf managers with Hardi sprayers can now buy replacement caps to allow the direct fitting of Syngenta Turf Nozzles. The caps are quick and easy to fit to all Hardi sprayers with the bayonet style fittings.

Long-term weather forecasters are predicting one of the coldest ever winters for the UK this year, with dire predictions of deep snow and prolonged frosts. Many claim it will be worse than December 2010, when the UK experienced 23 days with an air frost and an average temperature of -0.9°C and an extreme average minimum of -4.1°C - over five degrees below the norm.

For most greenkeepers and turf managers, January has become synonymous with struggling to cope with saturated soils and flooding across the UK. This winter has already seen some exceptionally wet periods, particularly in the north, west and Scotland, so any further prolonged rainfall, or melting of heavy snow,

The 025 Syngenta XC Nozzle has been specifically developed to operate at slower speeds for greens and tee applications. The nozzle design incorporates the full innovative XC technology for even coverage on sloping ground, low drift, improved all-round treatment of the leaf surfaces and a low water volume capability.

Football pitch and sports turf managers could look at some of the techniques used by greenkeepers to further enhance the quality and cut the cost of maintenance, according to Alan Ferguson, Head Groundman at the FA's flagship facility, St George's Park.

WATER MANAGEMENT AIDS THATCH BREAKDOWN Improved management of water at the soil surface could help reduce the build-up of thatch organic matter and enhance consistent surface playability.New research trials have shown a significant visible reduction in the thatch layer from a Qualibra wetting agent programme, attributed to faster water movement resulting in more aerobic conditions for efficient soil microbe activity. Trials by the Nordic turf research specialists, Bioforsk, showed over 25% assessed reduction in the thatch depth after a single season of a Qualibra wetting and water conservation agent programme.The use of a Qualibra moves water down from the surface to create optimum conditions for microbial organic matter breakdown, whilst retaining moisture at depth to rejuvenate turf health.Excess moisture retained in the top 50mm of soil profile produces anaerobic conditions, which could limit the activity of the specialist microbes, which are most effective in breaking down organic matter.The…

Golf courses provide an essential haven for some of the UKs most endangered insect species, and potentially hold the key to restoring populations of essential pollinating insects.

 Results of a national survey of golf players have revealed the pursuit of green speed is not nearly as important as giving them a smooth ball roll. At members' clubs, fast ball roll was the least important factor rated in greens' performance, with smooth ball roll the top.The Syngenta study, conducted by independent international market research, GfK Kynetec, surveyed over 300 players from across the UK who regularly played on a whole range of courses, including members clubs, private, municipal and hotel owned courses. It also assessed the different demands of high and low handicap players. It looked at turf quality on all areas of the course, and the influence of the environment on the playing experience.Enhancing the playing experience can attract more golfers - and their money - to your club. In all instances smooth ball roll rated very highly - 92% scoring 7/10 or more - compared to 75% scoring fast ball roll of high importance. Ensuring greens are free of weeds (90% scoring 7/10 or…

Syngenta put females first at Golf Club Managers Association Conference. Syngenta Golf Ambassador Carin Koch was among the expert speakers for a keynote presentation and panel discussion on female participation in golf in the UK, at the organisation's November conference.