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| HIR Horticultural Report - 18 Feb 2010 |
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The Plant Management Company
Horticultural Report 18.2.10
To The Body Corporates
Hope Island Resort
Turf Areas: Throughout the last month we have experienced some of the more favourable growing conditions we have seen in some time. The turf has remained consistently green and lush although our turf teams' efforts have been continually hampered by the extraordinary amount of rainfall we have been receiving of late. It seems that just as we are getting back on track that the heavens open once again and our turf programme is put on hold. As you will have noticed, our turf teams have been unable to mow on several occasions during the last month due the wet conditions. We do not want to damage the turf if considered too wet and as a result our turf team will be re allocated to other duties such as giving our gardens teams a much needed hand. As soon as we can we will endeavour to return to our normal mowing schedule. As we have had favourable growing conditions we have lowered the heights at which our machines are cutting the grass from 35 - 30mm. This height will be monitored and adjusted according to the growing conditions.
As mentioned above the turf has flourished and so have the broadleaf weeds. We are aware that this is a concern of the residents and this has not snuck under our radar. The chemical used to treat broadleaf weeds requires a window of 4 -8 hrs without rain and the turf surface must not be wet at the time of application to be effective. As a result the current wet weather has consistently interrupted our broadleaf spraying programme. We will firstly need to cut the turf and following this will resume with broadleaf spraying after a 24 hour period. We also need to take in account the wind conditions at the time of treatment. You may have noticed our green keeper out spraying first thing in the morning; this is due to the fact that the morning winds are calmer. As the wind intensifies later in the day we may be forced to halt treatment until the following morning as not to have the chemical drift onto near buy gardens and potentially damage plants. We will continue the broadleaf treatment where possible considering the current weather conditions.
Garden Areas: The last month has been a great for plants and turf alike. We have received plenty (some would say enough) of rain during the last month and the results can be measured by the lush growth present on many of the once struggling plants. While the weather has benefitted plants it has left our gardens teams scratching their heads wondering if the rain will ever ease enough to catch up on the weed spraying. Our teams have again had their normal routines interrupted due to the weather but will keep on playing catch up until they once again return to the normal garden schedule.
