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Turf Chat operates 24/7 hours a day, but l plan to do specific evenings in the near future.
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Latest message: 5 days, 17 hours ago
brian sandalls : temp in soil still high or enough, if van afford seed now and then spring if needed. if money a issue wait till spring but always worth the gamble as grass cover really essential. could use germ sheet/fleece just remember to monitor and take off after a week , it speed up chance of germ. pnly get disease if you dont keep a eye. its all help but also warm ish so will germinate if stays mild , may take a couple of weeks . i seeded last dec come in in a week or two, thickened out in spring and survived frosts2025-12-13 14:56:27 Richard : Struggling a bit after square renovations. Our square is on a slope, a storm after initial work washed seed down the hill on bottom quarter. Reseed late October to be hit by another storm. Some progress but bottom quarter still very sparse. As still warm enough looking to seed this area again. Question - do I fleece or cover with germination sheets or is disease to great a risk at this time of year? Any other suggestions. Thank you.2025-12-13 07:19:46 Chris Johnson : Hello Brian2025-12-07 22:53:18 John : Great2025-12-07 20:39:30
TurfCareBlog : thanks2025-12-07 20:09:09 guest_48273 : Look forward to it 2025-12-07 19:49:34 groundsman620467822 : TurfChat Coming in the new year- but always free to leave a comment and someone will reply2025-12-07 19:06:30TurfChat will work more smoothly on a tablet/laptop
Make the chat/reply box bigger/smaller by adjusting the dashes (Desktop/Tablet)
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Viewpoint
In comments box, what resources can we use or adapt to meeting the challenge.
Poll
Meet the Member- Mark Morgan
What’s your biggest challenge on turf this month ?
This month and every month and that’s the weather! The constant thought of “are we going to flood this week?”, the urge to do work on the ground and having to take a step back and allow nature to do its thing.
Where do you work and your role?
I am Head Groundsperson at Belper Meadows in Derbyshire. My role covers cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls, as well as all the surrounds
Best bit of advice given , to pass on to help others ?
I think the best bit of advice that was given to me by Steve Birks whilst I was at Trent Bridge, and it was to simply “Keep Smiling”. The advice I would give is always keep learning, I spend a lot of time researching other grounds peoples methods just to see if I can change the way I work and get the best out of my pitches
Where can you be found on social media!
I’m on them all, I’m really passionate about engaging new people into the industry and I think social media is the way to do it.
You can find me on:
Instagram – Mark_ycg
Tiktok – Mark.ycg
Twitter – Mark_YCG
Facebook – Mark the young cricket groundsman
Youtube – @markycg
Instagram – Mark_ycg
Tiktok – Mark.ycg
Twitter – Mark_YCG
Facebook – Mark the young cricket groundsman
Youtube – @markycg
eBook & Magazines
Take a look at this free to view eBook – Turf Problems (Multi Sport)
International Greenkeepers for Hire Magazine-IGFH-Magazine-October-2025
Turf Matters Magazine- Read Here
Community Wisdom
Scott Stewart-You will never be rich doing sportsturf but you have the best office in the world.
Ben Griggs-“Never compromise on your standards.”
Walker Ground Staff-Some times the hardest thing to do is nothing best advice.
Andy Bate-knowing when to do nothing is the greatest skill.
Kevin John Whorley-Don’t second guess go with gut feeling.
Mark Pearson- Every ground is different, listen to advice but do what works for you and don’t be frightened to try other ideas, you’ll learn more from mistakes.
Recommended Blogs
- Worms Casts https://turfcareblog.com/how-to-control-worms-on-sports-pitches/
- Disease https://turfcareblog.com/how-to-prevent-and-treat-turf-diseases/
- Waterlogged Ground https://turfcareblog.com/how-to-improve-surface-drainage-on-a-sports-pitch/
- Where to look for Groundcare Jobs
- Grassroots Clubs Dying out
Events
20
January
2026
January 20, 2026 - January 22, 2026
Harrogate Convention Centre,
Kings Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA. HG1 2HR. United Kingdom
Kings Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA. HG1 2HR. United Kingdom
free
4 comments
Myself l have started to use penetrant(wetting agent) to try and get the water through the top of the profile more effectively, YOU?
I’d definitely recommend using a surfactant through the winter months, if your budget allows it.
Good stuff John, looks like l was advised well. Just need to stop raining so can apply..
Getting a spray window is a problem especially so with the ground so soft!