Wondering Out Loud

Greens were double verticut earlier this week. Chemicals were applied to negate the effect of the seeding Poa plant and a second spray was made to offset the “Take all Patch” fungus now that soil temperatures have reached the low 50’s. Sprays made one month earlier than last years spray. Topdressing will be applied tomorrow and the mechanic will be complaining as he’s sharpening greens mower reels for the second time this season and it hasn’t even reached the month of May.
I continue to wonder what effect the weather will have on us this season. One year ago I hadn’t even filled the system but have already watered 9 times due to the high winds and cold over night lows have made for bone dry conditions at a time that most turfgrass managers are trying to promote root depth. It was reported on the news that Dandelions began blooming in March a full month ahead of normal.  No one alive can recall a March without snowfall.

I’m too wondering at what point in time the course will pay for an early start to the golf season. I’ve already seen the signs of thinning turf caused by compacted soils, evidence of cart traffic. Tee boxes like #15 that haven’t had a chance to heal from last fall’s late season play are now receiving a double dose of wear and tear this spring.

I wonder what effect the cold frosty mornings have had on the flowering trees. Trees that normally bloom on Mothers Day weekend are looking to be in full flower before the weekend.
I was wondering just how long I could make this list……….

Maintenance Alerts for the week of April 19, 2010

Greens will be double verticut for grains management starting Monday April 19th, 2010. There will be a lot of grass clipping debris left on the putting surface until it is removed by a following mower.  They will be sprayed on Tuesday weather permitting for Poa Seed head management now that soil temperatures favor flowering of the Poa grass plant.

A Bonus for your Chemical Dollars

Four representatives from the Syngenta Chemical Corporation paid us a visit on Thursday April 15th to demonstrate new nozzle technologies. The various representatives were in town to view the snow mold fungus field trials held at Sentryworld later that morning.  As they had time on their hands they wanted to visit another golf course operations in the area.  I was honored to have been asked and quickly accepted the offer.

Before demonstrating newer sprayer tip technologies a quick sprayer calibration was in order. Our sprayers are calibrated frequently in season to prevent costly chemical misapplications that could cost us hundreds of dollars per year through product waste.

Boom pressure was checked along with sprayer speed.

Compare the “drift” of the boom closest to you with that on the other side of the sprayer. The new air induction nozzles greatly reduced pesticide drift that can be seen in this photo.

I’m always amazed at the spray pattern of nozzle performance when using the wet paper test.  Which nozzle would you want on my sprayer?

It was a good "Good Friday."

It was a good “Good Friday” indeed. With gloves worn ragged and a quarter inch lift of tacky pine pitch clinging to soles of our boots, I can wearily proclaim we are finished with round one of our spring course cleanup. Just look to the sky and see the many thousands of pine cones and boughs that haven’t fallen to the ground is one reason why I have learned to never ever say our cleanup is done.

Before

 

After

Trees are weeds and you know what we do with weeds!!!!!!