Bowling Green Use of Pesticides

Where pesticides and other chemical products are used, this must be in a responsible way and one in which all other actions have been undertaken to reduce the need for their use in the first place. The use of Integrated Pest / Turf Management, or similar, in reducing the need for pesticides and then only as a last resort should be foremost in managing a bowling green.

Whilst many grounds managers will use pesticides as a last resort, many also apply them as a matter of routine, without questioning their need, efficacy or cost effectiveness for the desired outcome.

Chemical applications should be able to be kept to a minimum where good turf cultural practices are being applied.
Any pesticide which is applied to a bowling green must be approved for use and undertaken by a certificated user. It is illegal for anyone who does not hold a certificate of competence in the safe use of pesticides to apply a pesticide to a bowling green. In many greens run by volunteers a suitable arrangement would be to contract out the application of pesticides to their green.

Controls v Expectations
Good working practices can help to mitigate some of the negative effects of weed, pest and/or disease infestation and attack, but they are unlikely to eliminate them altogether.

With current financial and resource constraints at many bowls clubs’ a reconsideration of expectations may need to be taken. There is little point in spending monies on short-term chemical fixes when underlying issues, such as poor rooting, thatch and a high annual meadow grass sward content are present. With a change of focus to well targeted mechanical activities and good cultural practices, significant improvements can be made without additional expense.

Increasing the quality of a playing surface does not always have to see an increase in resource input, which besides pesticides, also includes fertilisers, top-dressings, grass seed, wetting agents, or physical maintenance activities. In fact, for many turf surfaces it is the applied knowledge and understanding to improve efficiency of work carried out and outcomes achieved which needs to increase, not the quantitative increase in materials. The aim should always be to ensure the most appropriate products are used to meet the specific needs of each club.