After over 30 years on a golf course, I cannot remember another season quite like this one. Although June didn't set any records for rainfall at 3.32", it was the fifth most humid month we've seen since record keeping began four years ago.
Superintendents always prefer a dry year versus a wet one. In a dry year, we get to control how much water turfgrass surfaces see through irrigation. In a wet year, we have no control. Warning, you may have a control freak watching over your golf course!!
In simple terms, turf that doesn't dry and is mowed at heights for golf is going to become infected with one of many fungi caused diseases. The lower the height of cut, the higher chance for infection, despite any aggressive disease prevention regimen.
There are many costly fungicide options to prevent and cure disease. Some work by eliminating the fungi on contact when the fungicide is applied. (Contacts) The second method (systemics) is for the plant to uptake the chemical, protecting the plant from within. During "normal" summer weather, contacts usually have a seven to fourteen day window of effectiveness while systemics can last up to a month. Neither type lasts as described with constant rainfall we've had this summer, hence the issues we've discussed this year.
Rainfall of the first two days of July has compounded disease problems discussed in this and earlier postings. Present on some greens Friday morning are two different turf diseases that will need "curative" fungicide treatments during the next two days. You may begin to understand our frustration a bit, because rain remains in both short and long term forecasts. The forecasted heavy rains can either wash away an application, or severely shorten its effectiveness. We are now waiting for the proper time to apply fungicides to eliminate slight infections of "summer patch" and "anthracnose" diseases present on greens to be cost effective for the longest period of time. We enjoy applying chemicals that work as designed, and abhor spraying and wasting dollars from the sprayer!!
Please ask questions or email me if I have failed to explain these issues adequately!!
Due to member comments, we are shortening tee to fairway distances on many holes. Our plan is to maintain these new areas at intermediate rough height until later in the season. During August and September, these areas will be aerated and overseeded with our fairway mixture of fescues and bentgrasses. By next spring, fairway extensions will be maintained as fairway. As with the fairway re-contouring, we will make additional changes to these areas before they are renovated later this year.
Can anyone teach me and the crew the Potowomut anti-rain dance? Soup??
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Rain Rain Go Away
Despite all the rainfall we have seen this season, we still occasionally run irrigation cycles. You may wonder why.
This morning, (Friday) we ran a 12 minute irrigation cycle on fairways to water in the growth regulator that was applied on Wednesday and Thursday. This particular chemical enters turfgrass plants from roots only. Therefore, we needed to send the chemical into soil so it can be picked up and utilized by plants.
Other materials need to be watered in as well. These include:
1. All granular fertilizers. Salts present in these materials can burn turf leaves.
2. Insecticides applied to control subsurface feeders like grubs.
3. Pre-emergent crabgrass herbicides. These materials prevent seeds present in soil from germinating.
4. Most wetting agents. Wetting agent materials work to hold more water in soil so plants use less.
5. Fungicides that target soil borne disease, such as fairy ring.
6. Fertilizers applied that supply nutrients to cure soil deficiencies.
On the flip side, other materials do their work by staying and drying on turf leaves. If these materials are watered in, they move into soil where they won't work. These include:
1. Fungicides applied to prevent or cure fungi that attack turf leaves. (Anthracnose, dollar spot, brown patch)
2. Insecticides for surface feeders and for products that get inside plant cells where they do their work.
3. Foliar applied soluble fertilizers.
4. Herbicides applied to control existing weeds.
5. Growth regulators that work by entering plants through leaves, where they slow cell elongation, and thus growth.
Tidbits....To date, we have pumped 4 million gallons of water, much of which was used to water in fertilizer and chemical materials!! Last year we used 4.8 million gallons as of June 26th.
This morning, (Friday) we ran a 12 minute irrigation cycle on fairways to water in the growth regulator that was applied on Wednesday and Thursday. This particular chemical enters turfgrass plants from roots only. Therefore, we needed to send the chemical into soil so it can be picked up and utilized by plants.
Other materials need to be watered in as well. These include:
1. All granular fertilizers. Salts present in these materials can burn turf leaves.
2. Insecticides applied to control subsurface feeders like grubs.
3. Pre-emergent crabgrass herbicides. These materials prevent seeds present in soil from germinating.
4. Most wetting agents. Wetting agent materials work to hold more water in soil so plants use less.
5. Fungicides that target soil borne disease, such as fairy ring.
6. Fertilizers applied that supply nutrients to cure soil deficiencies.
On the flip side, other materials do their work by staying and drying on turf leaves. If these materials are watered in, they move into soil where they won't work. These include:
1. Fungicides applied to prevent or cure fungi that attack turf leaves. (Anthracnose, dollar spot, brown patch)
2. Insecticides for surface feeders and for products that get inside plant cells where they do their work.
3. Foliar applied soluble fertilizers.
4. Herbicides applied to control existing weeds.
5. Growth regulators that work by entering plants through leaves, where they slow cell elongation, and thus growth.
Tidbits....To date, we have pumped 4 million gallons of water, much of which was used to water in fertilizer and chemical materials!! Last year we used 4.8 million gallons as of June 26th.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Turfgrass Disease Education
Cool and wet weather continues. Because of these conditions, we are witnessing outbreaks of different minor turf diseases here at Potowomut. Turf disease is more prevalent after periods of wet weather because these conditions favor development of the fungi that damage turf.
Please note that none of these diseases we will discuss today are severely damaging to the overall health of the golf course. I am not writing today to raise alarm; my purpose is to raise your awareness of these issues, and to further your turfgrass education!!
DOLLAR SPOT
On fairways, turf disease Dollar Spot is caused by the pathogen Sclerotinia homeocarpa. (See picture below) Annually, this is the most common disease we see on fairways during the growing season in our climate. Dollar Spot shows itself as silver dollar sized spots of damaged turf. If left untreated, Dollar Spot will coalesce into larger areas and kill turf plants, leaving an ugly playing surface that will need to be re-established. This disease is the focus of our preventative fungicide program on fairways all season long.
Our fairways have been treated twice for Dollar Spot, yet the damage we see this spring has "leaked" through preventative fungicides. Eventually, damaged plants will recover. Damage we see is aesthetic and not a huge concern, but rather a reminder that Mother Nature is always in charge!!
To help fairways heal faster, we will suspend the next scheduled growth regulator treatment planned for later this week. Allowing fairway turf to grow at its normal (faster) rate will hasten the healing process. Also, last week's fairway fertilizer application will help turf recovery, as dollar spot is a rare disease that is slowed by higher nitrogen soil fertility. Most turf diseases spread aggressively with nitrogen fertilizer applications.
LEAF SPOT
Another disease present (in roughs) is called Leaf Spot. It is caused by many different fungi from the Helminthosporium species. Leaf spot is present as partly circular patches one to two feet in diameter. (see picture below) Leaves of infected turfgrass have small brownish areas of damage evident. Again, we are seeing leaf spot this year because of the weather conditions we have seen. Warmer weather will stop the damage on plants, and turf should recover nicely during later June and July. Damage has not spread to greens, tees or fairways because all these areas have been treated with fungicides this year. Leaf spot present in roughs is not a serious situation that warrants expensive fungicide treatments.
FAIRY RING
Fairy rings are present annually and show up on greens and fairways around June 1st. Named from European fokelore because "inside the circles is where the fairys danced." Fairy rings can be both small (6 inch to 12 inch) or larger areas (up to 60 feet in diameter) of circular darker green areas of turf. The fungi use, then release excess nitrogen to the turf. The turf roots find the nitrogen giving the infected areas darker green turfgrass. Sometimes, toxic mushrooms also grow within the darker green circles.
We treat to control fairy rings on greens only, due to potential uneven putting conditions if left untreated. This year, fungicides were applied on May 28th. Fairy rings on fairways are not treated, due to expensive $ 1,500.00 per acre cost for fungicide treatments that would be necessary for successful control.
RED THREAD
Finally, we have seen a few patches of disease Red Thread this spring. Red thread is fascinating in that turfgrass infected has vibrant pink or red strands growing from mowed leaves. It tends to be injure turf in 4 to 18 inch sized circular patches of damaged turf. If left untreated, Red Thread can damage fairways severely, but we are safe because of the two fungicide treatments during 2009.
Please note that none of these diseases we will discuss today are severely damaging to the overall health of the golf course. I am not writing today to raise alarm; my purpose is to raise your awareness of these issues, and to further your turfgrass education!!
DOLLAR SPOT
On fairways, turf disease Dollar Spot is caused by the pathogen Sclerotinia homeocarpa. (See picture below) Annually, this is the most common disease we see on fairways during the growing season in our climate. Dollar Spot shows itself as silver dollar sized spots of damaged turf. If left untreated, Dollar Spot will coalesce into larger areas and kill turf plants, leaving an ugly playing surface that will need to be re-established. This disease is the focus of our preventative fungicide program on fairways all season long.
Our fairways have been treated twice for Dollar Spot, yet the damage we see this spring has "leaked" through preventative fungicides. Eventually, damaged plants will recover. Damage we see is aesthetic and not a huge concern, but rather a reminder that Mother Nature is always in charge!!
To help fairways heal faster, we will suspend the next scheduled growth regulator treatment planned for later this week. Allowing fairway turf to grow at its normal (faster) rate will hasten the healing process. Also, last week's fairway fertilizer application will help turf recovery, as dollar spot is a rare disease that is slowed by higher nitrogen soil fertility. Most turf diseases spread aggressively with nitrogen fertilizer applications.
LEAF SPOT
Another disease present (in roughs) is called Leaf Spot. It is caused by many different fungi from the Helminthosporium species. Leaf spot is present as partly circular patches one to two feet in diameter. (see picture below) Leaves of infected turfgrass have small brownish areas of damage evident. Again, we are seeing leaf spot this year because of the weather conditions we have seen. Warmer weather will stop the damage on plants, and turf should recover nicely during later June and July. Damage has not spread to greens, tees or fairways because all these areas have been treated with fungicides this year. Leaf spot present in roughs is not a serious situation that warrants expensive fungicide treatments.
FAIRY RING
Fairy rings are present annually and show up on greens and fairways around June 1st. Named from European fokelore because "inside the circles is where the fairys danced." Fairy rings can be both small (6 inch to 12 inch) or larger areas (up to 60 feet in diameter) of circular darker green areas of turf. The fungi use, then release excess nitrogen to the turf. The turf roots find the nitrogen giving the infected areas darker green turfgrass. Sometimes, toxic mushrooms also grow within the darker green circles.
We treat to control fairy rings on greens only, due to potential uneven putting conditions if left untreated. This year, fungicides were applied on May 28th. Fairy rings on fairways are not treated, due to expensive $ 1,500.00 per acre cost for fungicide treatments that would be necessary for successful control.
RED THREAD
Finally, we have seen a few patches of disease Red Thread this spring. Red thread is fascinating in that turfgrass infected has vibrant pink or red strands growing from mowed leaves. It tends to be injure turf in 4 to 18 inch sized circular patches of damaged turf. If left untreated, Red Thread can damage fairways severely, but we are safe because of the two fungicide treatments during 2009.
Friday, May 29, 2009
GOLF has been GREEN for a long time....
We have again added bales of barley straw to the ponds on 2 and 18. Some biologists observe that barley straw's presence can reduce the populations of certain types of algae growing in ponds and waterways. Apparently, as it degrades, a chemical is released that hampers algae growth.
The rough has been in many conversations this spring. We won't further delve into the severity of the rough at this time. However, because of the health of the rough, a significant positive change can be reported and celebrated.
First, a little background information is needed.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly management method for maintaining plants (and golf courses) that relies on less dependence of pesticides, irrigation water, fertilizers or any artificial methods that aids plant health. The IPM philosophy says that healthy soils will produce healthy plants that can withstand stresses from insects, disease, heat, drought and weed invasions. We employ IPM ideas constantly to give us a healthier golf course, a golf course that uses less inputs of pesticides and irrigation water than if not under IPM management.
We have touched on these IPM ideas previously without actually identifying them as IPM. Discussions that have centered on improving soil's health by adding lime and deficient nutrients is straight out of the IPM handbook, as healthier soils will support stronger, more reliable turfgrass with fewer inputs. Aerification of turf areas is an IPM method that provides air for improved soil/oxygen exchange. Providing the sharpest cutting blades for the cleanest cut prevents disease from entering poorly mowed leaf blades is IPM. Barley straw in ponds, rolling greens, thatch removal, using sand topdressing, and increasing sunlight penetration for turfgrass are all methods of Integrated Pest Management employed that lessen dependence on pesticides, fertilizers and water. (I could write for hours about how we use the IPM philosophy to manage Potowomut.)
Back to my original point, my apologies as I seemed to have wandered a bit.
Turfgrass in the rough is greatly improved after applying appropriate fertilizers the last few years as directed by Soil Scientists as a result of soil testing. During 2009, much less herbicide (weed killer) has been utilized to eliminate weeds, simply because there are fewer of them. IPM says healthier soils will provide stronger turfgrass plants that will choke out weed plants and their lateral movement, slow or stop germination of new weed seeds, and we are seeing those benefits this spring.
The rough has been in many conversations this spring. We won't further delve into the severity of the rough at this time. However, because of the health of the rough, a significant positive change can be reported and celebrated.
First, a little background information is needed.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly management method for maintaining plants (and golf courses) that relies on less dependence of pesticides, irrigation water, fertilizers or any artificial methods that aids plant health. The IPM philosophy says that healthy soils will produce healthy plants that can withstand stresses from insects, disease, heat, drought and weed invasions. We employ IPM ideas constantly to give us a healthier golf course, a golf course that uses less inputs of pesticides and irrigation water than if not under IPM management.
We have touched on these IPM ideas previously without actually identifying them as IPM. Discussions that have centered on improving soil's health by adding lime and deficient nutrients is straight out of the IPM handbook, as healthier soils will support stronger, more reliable turfgrass with fewer inputs. Aerification of turf areas is an IPM method that provides air for improved soil/oxygen exchange. Providing the sharpest cutting blades for the cleanest cut prevents disease from entering poorly mowed leaf blades is IPM. Barley straw in ponds, rolling greens, thatch removal, using sand topdressing, and increasing sunlight penetration for turfgrass are all methods of Integrated Pest Management employed that lessen dependence on pesticides, fertilizers and water. (I could write for hours about how we use the IPM philosophy to manage Potowomut.)
Back to my original point, my apologies as I seemed to have wandered a bit.
Turfgrass in the rough is greatly improved after applying appropriate fertilizers the last few years as directed by Soil Scientists as a result of soil testing. During 2009, much less herbicide (weed killer) has been utilized to eliminate weeds, simply because there are fewer of them. IPM says healthier soils will provide stronger turfgrass plants that will choke out weed plants and their lateral movement, slow or stop germination of new weed seeds, and we are seeing those benefits this spring.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ramblings
Thursday's miscellaneous ramblings....
Today we applied to fairways sulfate of potash fertilizer, with an analysis of 0-0-50 (the numerical analysis refers to amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, listed as a percentage of weight in each bag.) Potassium helps prepare turf for the stresses of summer heat and drought. Research shows that potassium helps to toughen plants by strengthening plant's cell walls, improve the plant's response to disease potential, and also helps plants to use water as efficiently as possible. Fertilizer particles will slowly degrade during summer, allowing plants to uptake the nutrient when it is needed most. Potassium was applied to greens and tees last week.
Also applied this week were soil deficient nutrients manganese, magnesium and calcium to greens and tees, and a complete fertilizer to practice tees (30-5-10.)
You may notice some darker green streaks on putting greens this week. The streaks were caused by overlapping sprayer passes of a nitrogen based fertilizer applied last week. I expect these streaks to disappear early next week.
To improve 60 yards of right side rough on #7, two sprinkler heads at 145 and 168 yards were changed in irrigation programs this week. Instead of running infrequently as rough heads, they will now run more often since we designated them as fairway heads in the computer.
We hope to see you out tomorrow, or during the holiday weekend!!!
Today we applied to fairways sulfate of potash fertilizer, with an analysis of 0-0-50 (the numerical analysis refers to amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, listed as a percentage of weight in each bag.) Potassium helps prepare turf for the stresses of summer heat and drought. Research shows that potassium helps to toughen plants by strengthening plant's cell walls, improve the plant's response to disease potential, and also helps plants to use water as efficiently as possible. Fertilizer particles will slowly degrade during summer, allowing plants to uptake the nutrient when it is needed most. Potassium was applied to greens and tees last week.
Also applied this week were soil deficient nutrients manganese, magnesium and calcium to greens and tees, and a complete fertilizer to practice tees (30-5-10.)
You may notice some darker green streaks on putting greens this week. The streaks were caused by overlapping sprayer passes of a nitrogen based fertilizer applied last week. I expect these streaks to disappear early next week.
To improve 60 yards of right side rough on #7, two sprinkler heads at 145 and 168 yards were changed in irrigation programs this week. Instead of running infrequently as rough heads, they will now run more often since we designated them as fairway heads in the computer.
We hope to see you out tomorrow, or during the holiday weekend!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ROUGH
Admittedly, the rough has been extra penal this spring. Sincere apologies from your golf course staff. Let me explain why the grass is extra long and feisty and tell you what is being done.
Let's start with a mini review of the problems with rough's soils.
1. Rough soils are extremely deficient in many important nutrients. Soils are deficient in plant available calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Soil pH is low, as are soluble salts. In summary, the supply in the soil for plant available soluble nutrients, or put another way, the amount of "gas in the soil's tank" for proper turfgrass growth is on empty. Let me provide quotes from March 2009 soil reports provided us by Harris Labs of Lincoln, NE.
a. "Immediate attention is required. Root growth has stopped...resistance to heat stress is poor, and membrane function is failing."
b. "Plant functions are in jeopardy of failing. Stomate (a plant cooling mechanism) is minimal so expect poor movement of water and nutrient throughout the plant."
To correct soil nutrient deficiencies, applications of proper fertilizer materials have been made, both last fall and again this spring. As these materials are slowly released to soils, plants are using them. Turfgrass in the rough is reacting positively or negatively, depending on your point of view, by actively growing with increased vigor during April and May.
Obviously, our long term goal is to improve the chemistry of rough soils. When soil can provide the nutrients plants need when they are needed, the rough can perform by providing an excellent playing surface for our members and guests.
Combined with fertility, the wet spring also aided aggressive growth of rough turf. 7.78" of rain has fallen on Potowomut since April 2, twice the normal amount.
We have two employees who each mow rough almost 40 hours each week. On Monday, we usually begin mowing rough on #11. Going in order they complete the rest of the back nine by Wednesday, and mow holes 1 through 10 Thursday and Friday. Each week, the rough is mowed once. Rough height differs depending on what day it is mowed.
Finally, both mowers' height of cut was lowered a half inch today. This adjustment should improve the situation a bit. We also plan on adding a third machine as time permits. We will do our best to continue knocking down the rough through May and June, when warmer weather should begin to slow growth.
Let's start with a mini review of the problems with rough's soils.
1. Rough soils are extremely deficient in many important nutrients. Soils are deficient in plant available calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Soil pH is low, as are soluble salts. In summary, the supply in the soil for plant available soluble nutrients, or put another way, the amount of "gas in the soil's tank" for proper turfgrass growth is on empty. Let me provide quotes from March 2009 soil reports provided us by Harris Labs of Lincoln, NE.
a. "Immediate attention is required. Root growth has stopped...resistance to heat stress is poor, and membrane function is failing."
b. "Plant functions are in jeopardy of failing. Stomate (a plant cooling mechanism) is minimal so expect poor movement of water and nutrient throughout the plant."
To correct soil nutrient deficiencies, applications of proper fertilizer materials have been made, both last fall and again this spring. As these materials are slowly released to soils, plants are using them. Turfgrass in the rough is reacting positively or negatively, depending on your point of view, by actively growing with increased vigor during April and May.
Obviously, our long term goal is to improve the chemistry of rough soils. When soil can provide the nutrients plants need when they are needed, the rough can perform by providing an excellent playing surface for our members and guests.
Combined with fertility, the wet spring also aided aggressive growth of rough turf. 7.78" of rain has fallen on Potowomut since April 2, twice the normal amount.
We have two employees who each mow rough almost 40 hours each week. On Monday, we usually begin mowing rough on #11. Going in order they complete the rest of the back nine by Wednesday, and mow holes 1 through 10 Thursday and Friday. Each week, the rough is mowed once. Rough height differs depending on what day it is mowed.
Finally, both mowers' height of cut was lowered a half inch today. This adjustment should improve the situation a bit. We also plan on adding a third machine as time permits. We will do our best to continue knocking down the rough through May and June, when warmer weather should begin to slow growth.
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 8
Just a few notes from the week:
Greens spiking is nearly complete. Only #7 green remains to be done next week. This spiking process took the place of the heavy duty aerification and topdressing we normally do in early May. We spiked all greens in two directions, using our John Deere aerators set up with a slim "bayonet" shaped tine. We did not pull a soil core this spring, the spiking opens up the greens to improve soil and oxygen exchange.
For members who have not seen the greens since spiking, the surface disruption was minimal during this process. Greens are putting close to normal as of Friday evening.
We installed tournament cup liners today. The cup lines is an insert that sits on top of the cup, and simulates the painted cup look common on televised tournaments. Let us know if you like them...or not!!
Rough is extremely penal this spring, due our very wet spring and plenty of soil fertility. 7.63" of rainfall has fallen on our weather station since April 2nd. Waterlogged soil combined with 55 tons of lime and a nitrogen based fertilizer application to the rough last December are responsible. Growth should even out during the next three weeks.
All pre-emergent crabgrass applications are complete, as is a plant protectant applied to control Hyperoides Weevils, a potentially destructive root and crown munching small insect.
Play well!!!
Greens spiking is nearly complete. Only #7 green remains to be done next week. This spiking process took the place of the heavy duty aerification and topdressing we normally do in early May. We spiked all greens in two directions, using our John Deere aerators set up with a slim "bayonet" shaped tine. We did not pull a soil core this spring, the spiking opens up the greens to improve soil and oxygen exchange.
For members who have not seen the greens since spiking, the surface disruption was minimal during this process. Greens are putting close to normal as of Friday evening.
We installed tournament cup liners today. The cup lines is an insert that sits on top of the cup, and simulates the painted cup look common on televised tournaments. Let us know if you like them...or not!!
Rough is extremely penal this spring, due our very wet spring and plenty of soil fertility. 7.63" of rainfall has fallen on our weather station since April 2nd. Waterlogged soil combined with 55 tons of lime and a nitrogen based fertilizer application to the rough last December are responsible. Growth should even out during the next three weeks.
All pre-emergent crabgrass applications are complete, as is a plant protectant applied to control Hyperoides Weevils, a potentially destructive root and crown munching small insect.
Play well!!!
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