Weed control these days is governed by very stringent guidelines and the launch of the new Code of Practice, for using plant protection products, has meant statutory responsibility is now placed on all those making the decisions, in relation to pesticide application. From those writing and issuing tender/contract specifications, those advising and selling chemicals, to those undertaking the work, legislation is in place to ensure minimal impact on the environment, water courses, operators and the public.

All chemical application is governed by this legislation, not only herbicide for weed control but all other areas where accurate application is needed.  Application of fungicide, pesticide, growth retardants and fertiliser are also governed by the legislation. Health and Safety policies incorporating COSHH assessments, Risk assessments, Method Statements plus insurance and operator NPTC certification are the minimum requirements, along with the need for accurate record keeping, details of which are all documented in the code of practice. The leading contractors in the amenity industry can fulfil all the necessary requirements, carry the correct insurance and have specialist equipment, designed to undertake the many varied application situations.

This is where many Local Authorities, National Utilities, Sports Complexes, Schools etc are missing out, by not using the full potential of the contractor market. There are many jobs a contractor can undertake for a customer, in conjunction with the traditional weed control to hard surfaces and the benefits of using their expertise in all areas needs to be explored.

One Local Authority who have written a tender, and issued a long term contract incorporating all the skills a professional contractor can offer, is Cardiff. Their recent awards –  Gold in the Britain in Bloom (now representing the UK in Europe) and Green Flags for their parks, are vindication that their decision to trust their judgement and work with the contractor are more than justified.

So what can a contractor offer a customer, large or small?

? Weed control on all hard surfaces – pavements, car parks etc.
? Weed control on shrub beds and around obstacles
? Selective weed control to all grassed areas – sports pitches, lawns, roadside verges
? Weed control to aquatic areas – lakes, pools, rivers, canals etc.
? Control of invasive weeds – Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed etc.
? Disease control  – football pitches, fine turf areas (bowling greens, cricket squares, golf greens etc)
? Moss and algae control – on both turf and hard surfaces
? Pest control – leatherjackets, worms
? Grass growth control – roadside verges, difficult to mow areas
? Treatment with any other product requiring accurate application e.g. fertiliser

All these services can be written into a tender or contract specification, all are governed by the strict legislation mentioned earlier, all require to be undertaken by qualified, certificated operators and all need specialist equipment, designed for accurate application. Having a dedicated contractor offering all these services with a long term contact allowing for the investment in training and equipment, will ensure value for money and continuity, something impossible to achieve when offering only annual contracts.

Most tenders/contracts are written for weed control to hard surfaces only – two, three or four sprays a year dependent on the levels of control expected, often with strict application dates and with no apparent regard for the weather conditions or the weed growth in any specific season. As previously described, there is so much more an established and reputable contractor can do to benefit all customers. A contractor working in and around a city, town or village, a sports complex, industrial site, or school etc, with a remit to maintain all the areas clear of weeds, moss, pests and disease will be able to offer the flexible level of service once enjoyed by the direct labour workforces, who have sadly been disbanded over recent years. Relieving those remaining of this additional burden, will allow them the time to major on the other works, i.e. grass cutting, pruning, litter collection etc, while working in conjunction with the contractor to ensure that the high levels of expectation are achieved. 
 
Turf is often one area sadly neglected, usually due to lack of finance, but grassed areas – sports pitches especially, benefit from not only weed control, but also the addition of a liquid fertiliser, improving the grass sward, improving the playing performance and possibly improving revenue from more hire fees.

Grass growth retardants have been about for many years but, none offering the quality finish of those available today. Used far more as a management tool these days, growth retardants offer an alternative to mowing, especially at the peak of the growing season. Reduced mowing (saving money) and reduced risings have got to be a benefit and, when combined with a selective herbicide controlling the weeds, a vastly improved aesthetic value is achieved.

Leatherjackets and worms are both pests that can badly damage grassed areas.  Worm casts especially, can cause havoc with winter play on golf courses and football pitches, soon turning the surface into a mud patch, while the damage to turf roots, caused by leatherjackets and from birds sourcing them for food, can soon increase re-establishment costs. Treatment with a pesticide can help eradicate these problems.

Disease on fine turf, bowling and golf greens can leave surfaces devastated during the winter months.  Good cultural practices should be adopted to avoid the conditions that disease favours but, fungicide application remains an option, if only a last resort.

Aquatic weeds can cause havoc with fishing and boating and, since there are only very limited aquatic herbicides available today, this is another area a contractor, with all the necessary qualifications, can help. Gaining Environment Agency approval and ensuring the correct timing of applications are paramount in achieving satisfactory weed control.

Moss and algae can cause a major problem on hard surfaces by becoming a slip hazard.  They can damage an artificial playing surface, rendering it unplayable and can soon dominate grassed areas if not properly managed. Products applied at the right time, in conjunction with other cultural practices, can soon eradicate the problem.

Invasive weeds, especially Japanese Knotweed, are becoming major problems across the whole country. Details about Japanese Knotweed have been well documented, with an estimated cost of removal across the whole country of £1.56 BILLION, which is an indication that incidences of this most invasive and damaging weed, need very close monitoring and intensive programmes for eradication should
be put in place. It is an offence under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act to cause this plant to grow in the wild, along with a number of other noxious weeds. Using established contractors, with the necessary experience, is the only way to ensure satisfactory results.

A contractor, with a year on year remit to maintain the many areas within a city, town or village, sports complex, industrial area, school etc. will have the flexibility to re-act, according to given needs, at any specific time. Whilst weeds are very obvious during the main growing season, moss and turf diseases become more prevalent in the winter months, long term contracts allow for regular maintenance, of all sites, throughout the year, rather than the often rigid application dates, dictated by many contracts.

Whatever the size of site being managed, there will always be work to be done, where accurate product application is needed and the strict legislation attached to this specialist operation needs to be adhered to. Working with a reputable contractor on a long term basis, thus ensuring continuity, who can provide all the relevant documentation and references, is the only way to guarantee the levels of service demanded today.