Established in 1978, Strathclyde Sportsturf Management covers professional turf management contracts in Central Scotland, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders. Offering the specialist equipment and skills to work on sports turf including bowling and golf greens through to winter sports and recreation grounds, the company has an established reputation for high standards of workmanship and reliability.

Overseeding is a key operation for the company and, as SSM Director Ian Headley points out, it is a job that can be carried out on fine turf to help increase the population of desired grass species without disrupting the existing playing surface. To carry this out successfully on a bowling green, however, the job needs care and the right equipment.

Among the latest equipment purchases is a Redexim 1275 Overseeder. Supplied by Charterhouse Turf Machinery dealers Nairn Brown (Glasgow) Ltd, the tractor mounted Overseeder 1275 uses 14 discs spaced at 75mm to open up a clean slit in the turf into which the metered seed is dropped. Able to cover 1200mm in a pass, the Overseeder is able to work quickly and accurately, placing seed at a sowing depth that can be adjusted between 12 to 20mm.

“We tried a number of Overseeders before choosing the Charterhouse machine,” says SSM Director Ian Headley. “We have been delighted with its performance and have used it extensively to include football and rugby pitches. We have monitored its performance through the summer and have been delighted with its performance.”

Although circumstances may dictate a different process, the work done on the winter sports turf this past summer has involved sowing 250kg of seed per pitch in three different directional passes. This work has to be carried out in the ‘closed’ season, with most clubs having the last game at the end of May with friendly matches commencing again in August. This short window means long working hours. It also means there are no second chances to get the overseeding right.

“We monitor the overseeding operation closely, and work with customer ground staff to ensure they are fully aware of the work needed to ensure the germinated new seed is properly cared for,” adds Mr Headley. “We go back to each job at least once a week to check on progress and make sure the pitches are watered and top dressed as necessary to get the very best results. We also photograph the work to provide us with a record of how the germination has progressed and to monitor the success of the operation.”

Typically, sown grass will germinate in six to eight days; early care ensuring it can establish a good root system ahead of play a few weeks later. Post establishment care is absolutely critical, with SSM offering either the advice for the customer to get the best from the job or tackling the work themselves to deliver the best possible results.

“Reputation is everything,” adds Mr Headley. “We take great pride in doing a good job and demand the same from the companies that supply us. We also have a new Rink DS2000 top dresser from Charterhouse and use them because they offer fast delivery, excellent back and reliable, well-made and efficient equipment. Customers demand and deserve first class service from us. We expect the same from our suppliers.”