We are constantly adjusting how we maintain the greens due to weather, soil conditions, and seasonal growth patterns. This time of year, bentgrass is slowing down and Poa annua is popping up everywhere. By the middle of winter, most of our greens will appear to be 100% Poa annua. In spring, this process will reverse and by mid-summer, the greens will be nearly 60% bentgrass. These turf types require different inputs and management strategies to produce good playing conditions.Currently, we are ramping up our fertilizer applications to get the new crop of Poa annua to fill in and tighten up. We are also using products that limit shoot growth and increase density and another product that will keep the Poa from seeding. Our fertilizer type is also different this time of year, utilizing fast release nitrate fertilizers instead of slower forms like urea, which we use more in the summer months to limit excessive growth.
Another recent change to maintenance practices focuses on our salinity management strategy. Most water has some amount of salts that can adversely affect the condition of turf. Our well water has over twice the amount of the potable water we had been using. To get the sodium out of the soil, we have to apply large amounts of irrigation water that will flush out the system. On most greens, a two hour shot of water will move the sodium out of the root zone for a month or so, depending on weather. However, this practice has not been effective on some of our greens, especially those with low spots near the collars that act as collection areas for all the nasty stuff that comes with the water.
We are now flushing these areas with 24 hours of low-output irrigation. You may have seen this practice on the putting green a week ago. Other greens receive this heavy dose of water throughout the evenings or during Mondays when we are closed. Some troublesome greens include #'s 10, 15, and 17. The new method is working and a little rain in the forecast will really make a difference.
One other change, which has been a tough pill to swallow for me personally, has been increasing the amount of nitrogen we put on the greens. I have always liked the lean and mean approach, limiting growth and puffiness to attain a good speed. I've now accepted that all this increased flushing requires more nitrogen than I'm used to. When you flush out the bad, the good goes with it and needs to be replaced at a higher quantity. Potassium is too low, calcium is flushed out, and nitrogen is needed. Our water, while having some salinity, is very low in nitrogen unlike reclaimed or purple pipe water. We don't get that benefit, we actually get stripped of nitrogen and need to replenish nutrients in the soil.
A few quick adjustments and the greens will be back up to speed and as healthy as ever. I think you'll see the difference in just a few days. Happy Thanksgiving!!
