January Update.

Welcome to our January blog.

We've been busy over the past month working on various projects, with the weather dictating our progress.

Throughout the month the team has been busy pruning and cutting lower growth and overhanging branches from the trees. Most of the lime trees in the Colonels Wood, have had their lower growth removed.This work gives the trees better shape with the overall area looking tidy and managed.

We took advantage of a dry period in the month, it enabled us to do some cutting,on greens tees, and the fairways, this gave great presentation to those areas.

The picture below shows the 4th tee that we seeded in September,it is coming on nicely.When the soil temperature rises in spring we'll apply a fertiliser to give the sward density and strength.

                 
            The picture above shows the 18th tee looking well presented for January.



Greens Aeration
Throughout January we've managed to aerate the greens weekly. It is so important to keep the surfaces open to relieve surface tension and allow water percolation through the root zone.

This practice alongside regular top dressing will reduce any thatch build up in the upper profile of the surface.          



                               The picture below shows the sisis slitter in action

The 3rd green which we drained last October is performing well. We need to check the surface around the drain lines over the next few months to ensure we go into spring with true levels.



Ornithology Programme.

We have cleaned out the bird boxes that are positioned around the course, ready for spring. All the boxes we cleaned last year had been used, this was really pleasing.The landscape around the course is a haven for wildlife and with the boxes in position it gives the birds additional nesting options.

           
                              Jack Hosker and Chris Lewis checking one of the boxes.

We hope for a period of dry weather in February to enable us to complete our winter work.

Vertidraining will be taking place on the greens tees, and fairways. We'll start to put some additional cutting in place to give the course some better definition.       (Weather permitting!!!!!)

                                                                         Terry Wharton  Head Greenkeeper.