Spring Update

The weather is causing everyone to think it's mid June and the warm days have really got the grass hopping so there is lots to cut but I am going be sort of a wet blanket and make everyone look at the calendar.  The month of May is somewhat in the middle of the spring peak growth cycle for cool season grass (remember there are two growth cycle for cool season turf: spring and fall) so I like to take advantage and get some increased density and, hopefully, root growth by keeping grass at a healthy H.O.C.  The clock starts ticking on turf health once we begin cutting at summer height so I choose mid to late May as the time to lower the height for mowing the greens until early September .  Furthermore, with the deep tine holes and the holes from the aeration in April I want to allow the turf time to take advantage of the oxygenated root zone and grow some nice root mass.  More root mass means the turf is better at "getting" nutrients and water which translates into healthy turf which leads to a better playing surface.

One quick comment on some things on the course.

Dandelions Around Base of Tree
( Double Click on Pict)

It's a great time to see all the dandelions we have on the course.  Specifically, its a great time to see where they are and where they are not.  Mostly you will see dandelions in the rough or around trees, or inside unmaintained areas.  There are very few growing in tees, fairways, or even in the rough immediately adjacent to the fairways.  The only reason relates to the cultural inputs whether it be water, fertility, mowing, or aeration.  Basically, all those processes make the turf healthier so it can out compete the weeds.  We don't spray large swaths of the golf course but tend to focus on areas prone to knapweed, sweet clover, and high profile/high play areas.