Allett Lawn Academy Day in York: A Resounding Success!

Lawn Academy Day: A Resounding Success!

The recent Lawn Academy Day held on Thursday, 11th April 2024, at the prestigious York Golf Club was nothing short of exceptional. Lawn enthusiasts from various backgrounds ranging from homeowners to professional lawncare specialists gathered at our third Level 1 course to delve deeper into the art and science of achieving and maintaining a healthy, beautiful lawn. The day was a comprehensive journey through the intricacies of lawncare, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. We had a great bunch of people there from homeowners to professional lawncare contractors.

 

Who Was This Course For?

Whether you're a beginner looking to start from scratch, a professional seeking advanced knowledge, a sports club volunteer aiming to boost your turf management skills, or a turf supplier wanting to educate your customers this course was tailored for you. The day catered to a wide range of needs and interests providing valuable insights and practical skills to all attendees.

 

Highlights of the Day

The day began with a networking breakfast, allowing attendees to connect and share their passion for lawncare over delicious bacon baps and hot drinks. This was followed by expert-led training sessions by Richard Salmon from Pro Lawncare UK. With over 38 years of experience in agronomy and lawn care management, Richard proved to be a ''fountain of knowledge'' guiding participants through a variety of topics. The day was a good mix of theory and practical with us being super lucky to be able to get outdoors on the York green despite the horrendous weather conditions leading up to the event- a massive thanks to the incredible grounds staff!

 

Topics Covered

The course covered an extensive range of topics essential for achieving a healthy and vibrant lawn:

• History and life cycle of grass
• Grass varieties in lawns
• Lawn maintenance programmes
• Thatch reduction and control
• Soil types and soil analysis
• Grass plant nutrients and fertilising your lawn
• Weed and moss control
• Irrigation and soil moisture
• Monthly lawn tasks
• Hands-on mowing with Allett cylinder mowers
• Lawn renovation workshop

 

Feedback from Participants

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive highlighting the value and impact of the course:

• John Harrison expressed his enjoyment and learning experience stating that the course inspired him to aim higher in his lawncare journey. John has since purchased an Allett Stirling and is enjoying the spring renovations using his new found knowledge.

• Ian Disley praised the course for its focus on practical knowledge and its value for money emphasising the opportunity to try out and discuss Allett lawnmower attachments and accessories.

• Matt Livingstone from Matt Livingstone Garden Services appreciated the chance to expand his knowledge, learn new techniques and test various Allett equipment. His favourite part was renovating the golf green- a task he had done before working as a youngster at the Belfry however he was interested in learning how other people did it.

• Ken James met his expectations from the course and enjoyed using the equipment and listening to Richard's insights stating that it opened doors in his mind and made him think differently about lawncare.

• Josh Staunton, a pro gardener was deeply impressed by the Allett tools, particularly the Allett Stirling and found the day to be a fantastic opportunity to learn and network with like-minded individuals. (Staunts on The Grass)

• Alex Wood from Alex Limited Landscape and Design valued the broad networking opportunities and the chance to try different types of tools and machinery.

• Jason Paine from the National Trust appreciated learning new techniques and tips from Richard emphasising the importance of both theory and practical knowledge in lawncare. He will take his knowledge back to the National Trust properties he works on.

• Stephen Williamson, an Allett Kensington 20b owner found the day to be a confirmation of his self-taught knowledge and highly recommended the course to others. He has his eyes on a new Allett Stirling.

 

We will be looking to plan our first Level 2 course for the Autumn which will be Midlands based to be central for all those that attended our first three Level 1 courses.

 

Conclusion

The Lawn Academy Day was undeniably a success, providing attendees with valuable knowledge, practical skills, and a renewed passion for lawncare. The positive feedback received highlights the impact of the course and the value it brought to participants from diverse backgrounds. As we look forward to future courses we are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of everyone who joined us on this educational journey. Here's to achieving beautiful, healthy lawns all year round!