The green green grass of home

For years, groundsmen the nation over dreamed of a fertilizer that would result in a greener sward that lasts longer. Then, courtesy of Quinns of Baltinglass, prayers were answered and the Humber Palmer arrived.

Sheppy Humber Palmer fertilizers are all the rage these days. They are not just used on all types of playing pitches from Nowlan Park to Lansdowne Road but also on all the leading golf courses and race tracks throughout the country. We spoke to Lisanne Wilson of Quinns of Baltinglass about the premium fertilizer which results in grass that’s greener and lasts for longer.

Lisanne informs us that Quinns of Baltinglass was founded in 1936 by William Quinn, father of current Managing Director Liam Quinn. The company first made its name as agricultural and grain merchants. It is now also the sole importer to Ireland of Sheppy Humber Palmer fertilizer and has been for the past twelve years.

Quinns (also based in Naas and Athy) import Humber Palmer and redistribute it to both the wholesale and retail sectors throughout Ireland, from Cork to Donegal. Over the past number of years, the Sheppy fertilizer has become extremely popular at both farming level and in the amenity sector.

Humber Palmer is a granular organic-based fertilizer, very high in organic matter which means it is very good for conditioning the soil. The fertilizers have phased release properties which supply a constant source of nutrients to the grass, extending its growing cycle and keeping it greener for longer.
It is much more efficient than the more traditional type artificial fertilizers. This in turn makes it more environmentally friendly, resulting in a dramatic reduction in leaching to local rivers, streams and waterways.

The humic substances in Humber Palmer fertilizers lend great benefits to soil structure. These substances increase microbial activity in the soil, making it more pliable and conducive to good grass growth.

The fertilizer also acts positively by promoting root development and growth, therefore increasing nutrient uptake by the plants. This increased root mass gives the grass better resistance to drought and allows quicker recovery from physical damage.

Furthermore, the sward achieved is dense and thick, with a carpet-like quality.
Since Quinns became an importer of Humber Palmer fertilizers, it has gone from strength to strength, with customer numbers growing all the time.

When Quinns first handled Humber Palmers, it aimed predominantly at the farming sector, the main users being potato growers and stud farmers to whom the phased release properties were of tremendous benefit.

Subsequently, Quinns have expanded into amenity grasses by introducing the Humber Palmer range to golf courses and football pitches.

“Since starting with the golf courses, we have never looked back. The fertilizer is ideally suited to all types of amenity grass,” says Lisanne Wilson who, along with Pat Murphy, looks after the Irish sales of Humber Palmer for Quinns of Baltinglass.

Humber Palmer fertilizer is competitively priced and has a wide range of compounds which suit each soil type and, for each season. A general recommendation includes:
Spring - 18:2:12, 2-3 bags/acre
Summer - 12:6:6, 2-3 bags/acre
Autumn - 3:15:15, 3-4 bags/acre

At the moment, there are a total of 16 different compounds of Humber Palmer, from low to high nitrogen
More recently, Humber Palmer’s have developed new products. These include mini granules, which are smaller in size and ideally suited to golf tees and greens.

“With Humber Palmer, our customer base is increasing all the time. Once a customer tries it, we are practically guaranteed that a new customer has been captured permanently, so happy are they with the results achieved from Humber Palmer,” enthuses Lisanne Wilson.

She continues: “We have a long list of satisfied customers which includes The K Club, Rathsallagh Golf & Country Club, the IRFU (Lansdowne Road), Kilkenny County Board (Nowlan Park), Kerry County Board (Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney), Rathkeale GAA, Powerscourt Golf & Country Club and many other football clubs and golf courses located throughout the length and breadth of the country.”

William Allen, Head Greenkeeper at Eskerhills Golf Club and a Head Groundsman at the Ballycumber and Tubber football pitches in County Offaly, is full of praise for the product: “Use of Humber Palmers leads to a better-wearing surface, with a thicker and greener sward. I get greater value per unit of fertilizer than when I use normal artificial fertilizer compounds, so it is excellent value. When aerating pitches, it has a great impact on the ground.”

Gerry Byrne, Head Greenkeeper at The K Club notes: “I thoroughly enjoyed using the product (Humber Palmer mini granules) for the Smurfit European Open. With the Humber Palmers mini granules on the tees and greens you have a lower scorch potential and longer phased release.”

Kevin Browne, Head Greenkeeper in Ennis Golf Club and Field Manager with Clarecastle GAA, adds: “Since using Humber Palmer on the golf course, it has been improved no end. I get great compliments from all our visitors. We have two new pitches in Clarcastle on which we will use Humber Palmers.”
Majella Smith, Head Groundsman at Lansdowne Road, had this to say: “I used it as part of the winter feed programme and applied 3:15:15 once a month over the winter. It is great winter feed and nourishes the roots. With an international match coming up, I apply 10:5:16 two weeks before to get a good green cover.
“I also use Humber Palmers 3:15:15 in the winter feed programme in Thomond Park Limerick.”

For further information on Humber Palmer fertilizers, contact Lisanne Wilson, Quinns of Baltinglass, on 086 2756114 or Pat Murphy, Quinns of Baltinglass, on 086 2119198.