Welcome to our May blog,in the earlier blogs we were asking for a period of dry weather,well we've certainly had it with minimal rainfall throughout April.
As greenkeepers we need a balanced programme of weather conditions, yet we seem to move from one extreme to another.This recent dry cool spell as held back growth on the course with the greens needing the areas of annual meadow grass to catch up to the larger areas of bent grass.The bents grow in lower temperatures than the annual meadow grass and this causes slight unevenness on the greens surfaces.
We continue to change the composition of the grass species on the the greens to the bent grass because of the following reasons, it is hard wearing, good drought qualities, less prone to disease, enables all year round play, against the annual meadow grass that doesn't have the same characteristics of the bent grass
With better growing conditions sensible cutting heights,grooming, minimal feed, and regular top dressings the surface levels will soon become smoother and better ball roll will be achieved.
The recent rise in soil temperature allowed us to feed the greens the picture shows Chris Lewis feeding the 11th green.Chris is still wearing his winter clothes in early April, roll on summer!!!!
We apply a low Nitrogen feed that aims to create minimal healthy growth,yet enables the plant to develop a strong root structure.The bent grass will grow well with controlled feeds alongside regular aeration top dressings and applications of seaweed.
This picture shows a new tine on the left and a worn tine on the right that are fitted to the procore aeration machine. The tine on the right has been used three times on the greens and once on the tees and surrounds.
The heavy sand profile in the root zone creates the wear.
Its a busy time for our sprayer through out the growing season with regular applications of wetting agents, turf conditioners,and soluble iron being sprayed on to the greens.
Deputy Head Greenkeeper Dave Traynor can be seen operating the plate.
We came in to work on the 18th April and where surprised to see that a large oak tree had blown down in the colonels wood, unfortunately as it fell it brought down two smaller trees. These will be cleaned up and in the autumn new trees will be planted in their places.
It must be spring, the picture shows a mass of frog spawn in the pond near the 8th green.We hope they can develop before the ducks and herons decide to investigate them. When your near the pond over the next few weeks keep a look out for our new additions to pond life.
Our blog in June will cover wetting agents, top dressing, and the irrigation system.
Terry Wharton Head Greenkeeper May 2013
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