Milestones in Grounds Care

Significant milestones within the field of grounds care can be quite subjective, often being reflected by the personal experiences of the individual choosing the milestone, so there can clearly be many interpretations and debates as to what might be considered a milestone. One simple definition might be that of a event or activity which has significantly influenced the maintenance and management of turfgrass surfaces and which might not be the first instance of the event or activity. Here are five candidates for significant milestones: The mechanical lawn mower invented by Edwin Budding i

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  Milled Material

Debris removed by the process of milling, for example, thatch from scarification.

  Minefielding

The disintegration, often in a pock marked fashion, of a turfgrass surface, especially due to the impact of a cricket ball with a prepared surface. This is used as a performance standard for a cricket pitch.

  Minutes of a Meeting

A formal written record of actions, attendees and discussions that occurred during a meeting. These aim to provide an authentic and true account of the meeting, presented in a clear and concise way. Benefits of recording minutes of a meetings can include: • Acting as a useful reference to which future decisions can be influenced by, provide a baseline to continue with a previous discussion, and monitor and assess progress made from the previous meeting. • Identifying who is accountable for specified actions. • Contributing to organisational objectives and initiatives by evaluating and p

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  Mixture

1. Two or more grass species mixed together. 2. The physical mixing of two or more fertilisers.

  Monitoring and Recording Data, The Importance of

Monitoring and recording of data are activities that are undertaken provide objective data on which better informed decisions are made, leading to improved effectiveness and efficiency of outcomes. Trends can be more readily identified through regular monitoring and potential problem issues can be addressed through appropriate intervention techniques before they become a significant problem which impacts on the performance of a service or product. The performance of a product, for example a sports pitch, can be routinely assessed and evaluated, on an ongoing basis, when appropriate data is

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  Monitoring Performance

Checking the status of something, which will typically be determining what has been achieved, the progress made, how it relates to the desired target or standard and identifying the efficiency and effectiveness of an activity. By monitoring the performance of employees and the standard of the work produced, for example, the quality of a football pitch, a manager is better placed to be able to proactively intervene to support employees if required and before undesirable situations arise.

  Morning Maintenance

Priority is given to greenkeepers carrying out important maintenance work on greens during a specified morning of each week during the main growing (as well as playing) season from April to September. Golfers would either have to wait until a green had been completed before being allowed to play on a green, or until the greenkeeper waved them on to play, whilst still completing the work. Typically, this might be scheduled as being up to 0900 or 1000 on a Monday. The work that would be carried out would typically be aeration, some pesticide application, scarification, top-dressing, or verticutt

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  Mowing Problems

The many problems that can be caused by incorrect mowing practices: Ribbing; Washboarding; Uneven Cut; Bearding, Scalping; Chewed grass leaves, Torn grass leaves; Shaving and Close mowing.

  Muddy Pitch

A pitch which has been worn, with limited or no grass coverage in some or many areas, with exposed soil being the surface on which a game is played. This is primarily caused by overuse (see Carrying Capacity) of an area, combined with inadequate and/or incorrect maintenance inputs (especially when carried out under unsuitable ground conditions) and lack of repair and renovation activities.