Aeration Update

This week we are scheduled to aerate greens. Originally, we had planned to aerate by pulling soil cores and topdressing heavily to fill the holes. This is the process that no one likes, golfers and greens crew included. For different reasons related to both agronomics and weather, (Tuesday through Thursday forecasted rain) we are ramping down plans for the week. Beginning this morning, we are poking 6” long holes into greens using a solid blade like tine. Each green will be done twice. This process brings no soil up to greens’ surfaces and is much less invasive. Greens may be unsmooth for a few days but will heal completely by this weekend. Greens will be topdressed with sand but at a much lower rate compared to the other process.

Will the greens have less health this year because of this change? No and here’s why. A main reason we aerate is to add oxygen to soils, to let soils breathe. Aeration, whether using conventional soil pulling equipment or solid tines both provide soil oxygen. The difference between the two methods involves the amount of sand we add to the greens.

The greens aeration planned for September will be the conventional method with 25 tons of sand applied for those who miss the heavy sand accumulation. We are able to make adjustments like this and still provide excellent greens because we have been on a very diligent program of aeration and sand topdressing since my arrival to Potowomut in 2005. This persistence has given us a bit of greens health insurance!