spraying advice - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T01:32:39Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/spraying+adviceEarly Easter doesn't mean it is spring!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/alan-abel-from-complete-weed-control-gives-turf-managers-advice-f2016-05-25T08:47:16.000Z2016-05-25T08:47:16.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control gives turf managers advice following the early Easter period.</p><p>With some warm sunshine during early April it seems as though spring has finally sprung. But with frost later in the month and lower than usual temperatures predicted, we cannot get sucked into thinking it's time to apply selective herbicides and complete other spring type actions!</p><p>With daisies that have ‘over wintered’ and dandelions popping up everywhere it is tempting to get the sprayer out.</p><p>However, the uptake of the herbicide may not be successful unless perfect conditions are present. That is not only the weather conditions, but the water condition and the sprayer condition. This includes the correct nozzle selection giving the right water volume for the herbicide being applied.</p><p>Also, don’t forget that if the temperature is going to drop over night after an application, then scorch is likely to take place. The spray droplets are on or blown to the tips of the grasses or crop and when frost forms, that is what causes the scorch effect.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314755937?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314755937?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>This is a phenomenon that has been seen in many fields after early spray applications by the farming fraternity this year. Scorch will severely set-back the grass growth that we are desperate to have this year, so it MUST be that a spring flush really arrives before the sprayer temptation takes hold.</p><p>When Easter is early, as it was this year, Turf Managers see that as the starting gun for the season ahead, but it’s not the case. We must wait for the right conditions to prevail and patience is an important virtue. When discussions where mooted as to the fixing of the Easter date, that would be a good thing in our industry.</p><p>When the right time does come for applying selectives; then a tank mix with a soluble fertilizer should be considered to get the grass sward really moving. The pH of the water being used is so important and buffers should always be used to bring the water acidity to the correct level.</p><p>Manganese and Phosphites that are quickly available to the plant through the leaf would be worth looking for. It must be brought to your attention that this year will be the last time that the three way mixes of phenoxys that we have been used to will be able to be applied.</p><p>In 2017 we will see a big turn-around in terms of cost when it comes to weed control in fine and amenity turf areas.</p><p>Complete Weed Control can give advice on all the above products and your local specialist can apply the correct product for your individual situation.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s national office on 01325 324 277 or visit www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</p><p>You can also follow Complete Weed Control on Twitter @CWCLimited and view the company’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/completeweedcontrol1</p></div>Entering the Spraying Season – Advice from Complete Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/entering-the-spraying-season-advice-from-complete-weed-control2016-04-04T10:23:38.000Z2016-04-04T10:23:38.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control gives turf managers advice as we enter the spraying season.</p><p>Winter seems to have gone on and on. The moment we think we are in for some better weather, we seem to take a backwards step. In different areas of the UK and Ireland the weather has been colder but on the whole the winter has been one of the wettest in recent memory.</p><p>Mildness before Christmas led to a lot of vegetation growth, but late frosts in February and March is slowing spring down and damaging the budding trees.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314732045?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314732045?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>In November the 'Grandfather Rights' were taken away as part of the new legislation that is in force as part of the SUD and the National Action Plan. The establishment of National Action Plans - compulsory testing of application equipment; provision of training for, and arrangements for the certification of, operators, advisors and distributors; a ban (subject to limited exceptions) on aerial spraying; provisions to protect water, public spaces and conservation areas; the minimisation of risks from handling, storage and disposal; and the promotion of low input regimes (including Integrated Pest Management (IPM). For more information on the legislation that exists, it is worth spending time on the website below. <br/>www.pesticides.gov.uk</p><p><br/>This means that all persons applying pesticides must now hold NPTC Pesticide Application module One and then either PA Six for using a knapsack and PA Two for using a boom type sprayer. This has led to a rush of people trying to get these qualifications in time for the new up and coming spraying season.</p><p>Many smaller sports clubs have had someone holding the Grandfather right and this will lead to these clubs to arrange for training, as attached to this legislation is the necessity for the NPTC certificate is required to be shown or stated when buying any pesticide.</p><p>In addition to this, under the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), all pesticide application equipment requires an NSTS test certificate from 26 November 2016, but it is surprising that the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) has been in place since 2003.</p><p>Annual inspection of application equipment shows best practice. It also ensures maximum sprayer efficiency and can reduce costly downtime. It shows commitment to the Voluntary Initiative and satisfies industry protocols. All self-propelled, trailed or mounted equipment with a boom width over 3 metres will require testing. A test must be carried out every 5 years from 26 November 2016 and every 3 years from 26 November 2020. Handheld (including knapsack) sprayers should be regularly checked and a record kept. This checklist can be found on the NSTS website. www.nsts.org.uk</p><p>All these hoops that need to be jumped through are sensible when you think about the costs of pesticides and the care that must be taken during the application window. If the sprayer calibration was 10% out, then the cost increase is significant. Also there may be issues with the turf that has been treated with scorching etc.</p><p>When you combine this with the WFD (Water Framework Directive) which is probably the most important EU legislation that is affecting pesticide application, there is so much for all of us to understand with regards to our industry and what a fragile situation exists and how careful we must all be to guarantee the existence of herbicides for the future of economic weed and disease control.</p><p>It's not just getting the machine out of the shed and hoping it isn't leaking when you pressurise it. <br/>If pesticides are found in water extremely small concentrations: (i.e. an aspirin pill in an Olympic size swimming pool) then the active ingredient may be in jeopardised.</p><p>The Amenity Forum is actively involved in educating all involved in Pesticide application in the Amenity sector. There are updating roadshows taking place throughout the country and information can be found on their website - www.amenityforum.co.uk</p><p>While all the above is not meant to be frightening, it illustrates just how much information and legislation must be understood before controlling weeds, diseases and insects.</p><p>However, it may be prudent to ask a specialist Company to undertake spraying services for you. <br/>Complete Weed Control has a network of franchisees throughout the UK and Ireland all of whom are Amenity Assured, hold ISO 9001/14002 certification, have their sprayers NSTS tested and all operators hold NPTC certificates.</p><p>A survey of each site would be carried out and the correct pesticide for the specific problem would be supplied and applied safely haven taken into account that all the necessary hoops have been jumped through and the empty containers taken away and safely disposed of and keeping the correct record of application.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s national office on 01325 324 277 or visit www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</p><p>You can also follow Complete Weed Control on Twitter @CWCLimited and view the company’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/completeweedcontrol1</p></div>