It\u2019s been a wild ride this year. After months of relentless rain that encouraged shallow rooting and lazy annual meadow grass, we\u2019ve now been hit with the hottest, driest spring on record\u2014alongside persistent drying winds. Turf management in these conditions is anything but easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In areas where you do have irrigation, the first thing you should do is assess whether your soils have become hydrophobic or water-repellent. A quick droplet test can reveal the issue: if water beads on the surface and refuses to soak in, your soil needs immediate intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where Aqueduct<\/strong> comes in. Aqueduct <\/strong>and Aqueduct Flex <\/strong>can help convert your soil back to a hydrophilic water-loving state and reset the soil profile. Once the soil is absorbing water properly, you’ll get far more value out of irrigation, fertiliser applications and any future rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your soil isn’t hydrophobic, it might still be necessary to increase the frequency of your watering and wetting agent programmes\u2014or consider switching to a more robust wetting agent altogether, depending on your site conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s be honest\u2014we\u2019re basically growing cool-season turf in Mediterranean weather right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re resorting to a lot of hand-watering, make it count. We strongly recommend using Advantage+ or Advantage+ Seaweed<\/strong> pellets <\/strong>during these conditions. These pellets are formulated for hand watering high-stress areas and are perfect for use on greens, hot spots, bunker faces, walk-off areas, and other high-traffic zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Non-Irrigated Areas: Less Is More<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In areas without irrigation, it\u2019s best to leave them alone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The turf is already under severe drought stress, and the last thing it needs is more disturbance. Focus instead on prepping for when the weather eventually turns in your favour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n When the rain does return\u2014and it will\u2014you want to be ready to act fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMediterranean Mindset: Managing in the Heat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Be Ready When the Rain Returns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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