A world of new possibilities in lawn management

Greenkeepers are at a loss for words. The alternation of extreme weather conditions brought on by global warming is adding pigment to their jobs. Keeping sports lawns looking great all year round is an increasing challenge when increasingly long periods of drought have to be overcome. But damage is also inevitable when grass is flooded with its roots for weeks on end due to persistent rain. 

To future-proof a lawn against these climatic excesses, the lawn expert must address both vegetation and soil. After years of research and breeding, more and more climate-robust grass cultivars are coming onto the market. Very often, these are deep-rooting grasses that can tap into water reserves at greater depths in times of drought. The broadly branched root system forms a kind of reinforcement in the lawn soil, providing the necessary stability when the soil is saturated with moisture. On the other hand, it helps keep the soil open for improved drainage, allowing water to seep into the soil faster. With a sophisticated overseeding programme, it is very easy to start adjusting the types of grass in a turf over time. Even more important than the type of grass is the soil conditions. This is a subtle interplay of soil structure and soil fertility. Influencing that interplay is not so easy for greenkeepers, especially when on top of it grows a dense turf that must be available for sport and play at all times. 

ELIET recently developed a new machine that opens up a world of new possibilities for working on the lawn soil without significant impact on lawn availability. The new ELIET machine was given the name Jetzer®. This machine cuts a groove with a depth of up to 10 cm in the lawn soil every 10 cm. This thoroughly cuts through the top layer. As they pass through the soil, the slowly rotating blades lift the soil slightly, creating horizontal fracture lines underground that enclose air pockets. This allows superficial compaction of the lawn soil caused by frequent mowing or walking on the site to be broken up. Precipitation will find its way into the soil more quickly via the grooves, significantly reducing the risk of puddles forming. 

A special feature is that while cutting these grooves, a spreading material can also be deposited immediately in the grooves. The way in which this spreading material is diverted to the grooves and inserted into them with cold blades ensures that it reaches the root zone of the grass immediately. Depending on the properties and the active ingredients in the spreading material, the ELIET Jetzer® allows the lawn expert to act on the deficiencies revealed by a soil analysis using this additive. By depositing the product in the root zone, it can also be quickly absorbed by the grass. The effects can therefore be seen more quickly. The risk of losing product through run-off, wind erosion or evaporation is completely eliminated. With no need to compensate for these losses, the dosage can often be reduced without sacrificing effectiveness. The Jetzer® also allows the controlled introduction of additional organic matter into the soil to compensate for the annual natural mineralisation of carbon. By applying this systematically, greenkeepers can maintain soil fertility. Organic matter stimulates soil life, which helps in humification. Earthworms and other invertebrates will naturally supply this topsoil with drainage channels. Organic matter increases the crumbiness of the soil and has the ability to retain moisture for longer. Lawn soils suffering from a lack of soil life can also be fed with spreading agents that activate soil life thanks to Jetzer®. It is a subtle game where expert advice is welcome. 

Drought can be controlled even more actively by introducing water polymers or hydrophilic granules into the soil. Jetzer® can apply the products exactly where they are most effective. These polymers soak up water during periods of abundant precipitation and store it as a reserve, making it available to grass roots when needed. 

The Jetzer® can also be used to control grubs and leatherjackets more efficiently. Pesticides can be introduced directly into the habitat of these larvae with the Jetzer®, making them much more effective and allowing them to be applied in smaller doses. The ELIET Jetzer® is a self-propelled machine with a working width of 60 cm. The hydrostatic drive allows the working speed to be adapted to the soil conditions. The articulated body of the machine makes it very manoeuvrable and steerable with precision on small areas. A lawn ‘jetzen’ can preferably be done in spring or autumn. A Jetzer® can be rented in Flanders from 2025 from the specialist supplier of green spaces. Greenkeepers can also go there for advice on the most suitable spreader to tackle specific lawn and soil problems. 

West Flanders:
Terrabox in Zwevegem
Disaghor-Dockx in Ruiselede 

East Flanders:
Suenaert - Horta in Scheldewindeke
Sabgro in Asse

Antwerp:
Disaghor-Dockx in Mechelen
Van den Bergh Tuinmaterialen in Rumst
Aerts H.a.g.a.s. in Loenhout

Flemish Brabant
Vera garden centre in Overijse

Limburg:
Aegten in Oudsbergen
Disaghor-Dockx in Bilzen

A network of collection points will be rolled out in Wallonia in the second half of 2025. The ELIET Jetzer® can be reserved online from January 2025 at www.elietexperience.eu.