The golf course is really starting to shape up. This morning, I am finally seeing some warm steady ground temperatures and with the rain yesterday, I am sure most of the winter damage will be recovered very soon. We have applied organic fertilizer to most of the golf course over the last two weeks. This fertilizer supplies the turf with much needed beneficial micro organism and the correct amount of major nutrients that the turf needs. The great thing about these organic fertilizer is they are long lasting. As I have said before you can push the turf with fertilizer in the spring to get green, but you are really just growing the leaves and sacrificing the roots. I really do not like to have an overly green golf course we try to give the plants just what they need to survive. My goal is to have a firm, fast championship golf course for everyone to enjoy.
I am sure that you have seen the progress that we are making with the naturalized areas. Some of the golf holes are quite stunning,the herbicide applications are working very well. There are a few stubborn areas that we are treating with additional applications and will continue again in the fall. The problem is that the major grassy weeds we are trying to control have a strong underground root system and a large seed bank. It will take some time to control everything. We have been reseeding many of the areas and also spot spraying. The cool weather this spring has also been produced good conditions for broadleaved weeds. Seems like every time I turn under there are more. We are treating the broad leaf weeds on the course when time and weather allows.
Cultural control on the golf course is also very important to the turf health. We have been spiking the fairways and greens over the last few years about every 5 weeks. There are many reasons that we do this on the course. Air and water movement through the soil profile allow the turf to build a strong root system and a good environment for growth. I understand there is an inconvenience for a Short time, but I firmly believe it pays off in the long run. One great example is in big rain events the course drains better then most courses. This allows us to have the golf cars out much faster. also waterlogged soil is a breding ground for disease development.
I will be spiking the greens Monday the 2 of June also at this time a light topdressing of sand will be made. Topdressing smooths the surface and also helps dilute some of the organic matter.
The fairways will be spike the following week.
Thank you and hope to see you very soon