Mark Hunt’s Weather Assessment
19th – 26th July 2010

Last week was our first week of rain for a long time and, as usual, some people got more than others and on that note I'd be interested to hear how much rain people received dotted around the U.K. and Ireland.

This week we have another low pressure in charge, but most of the rain will follow a West to North-East direction across the U.K., with the South and South-East receiving only small amounts I'm afraid. The best chance for this area will be Wednesday and Friday. For Ireland and the West of the U.K., there will be showers moving through Ireland today and hitting Wales and the west country through Tuesday. With showers for most of the week in Ireland, the driest day looks like being Thursday. Temperatures will be warm at the start and end of the week, with a little cooling off mid-week as the low loops down, but generally around the low twenties will be the norm.

Looking longer-term, I expect us to be into a cycle of alternating low and high pressure systems, so that means warm weather, showers and probably high humidity, all good unfortunately for disease. Talking of which, there's a bit of summer Fusarium around at the moment, sparked off by the rain of last week and alot of Red Thread, particularly on drought-stressed areas of turf which will have been short of nitrogen due a lack of moisture necessary to get the N to the plant.

I'd also expect plenty of Fairy Ring activity with the rainfall and lots of Etiolated growth on collars and higher-height of cut areas. On the latter we know that a Triazole fungicide will control this phenomenon, so if you're applying this type of product for a labelled disease, this will be a good benefit on the side so to speak.

There are some fact sheets available on Fairy Ring and Etiolated Growth, so if you'd like them, contact your local representative or use the Contact us form on this website.

Mark Hunt
Technical Director
Headland Amenity Ltd

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