Aeration Follow up
This year we had a new tool to aerate the greens. The Procore 648 aerator does a tremendous job that makes this labor intensive process much quicker and easier in comparison to our previous model. The coring head is 33% bigger than our previous model and allows for a myriad of coring tine configurations and spacing. We aerated greens with 3/8 inch coring tines on 2 inch spacing. This spacing and coring size is great from a players perspective since they are playable a day or two after treatment. Next season we will switch to 1/2 inch coring tines on 1.5 inch spacing. The reason for this is to remove more thatch.
We only aerate our greens once a year so our goal is to reduce the greatest amount of thatch in one treatment. Think of thatch as plaque on your teeth. Plaque is always there, you never see it and its always accumulating. Regular cleanings at your dentist keeps this under control. This same principle applies to the greens. Thatch accumulation is a natural occurring process which is kept in check by aerating or dethatching(vertical mowing) the greens.
The benefits of greens aeration are numerous. Increased gas exchange, increased water infiltration, deeper rooting, reducing soil compaction, and a firmer playing surface.
We aerated the 4th,5th, and 6th greens last Monday and they are starting to knit back together. The remainder of the greens we aerated last Wednesday and Thursday and those greens will heal over soon.
What happened to the first green and what is that tool he is using?
About two weeks ago we experienced some very sunny and windy days with 20% humidity. The irrigation system wasn't "charged" due to a cracked and leaking main valve. These main valves are not a normal part we keep in stock due to the cost and the fact that they should never break. The valve was installed the day it arrived and I stayed until 8pm slowly filling up the system up and we were fully "charged" the next day.
Regretfully the damage was already done and the first green really took a good beating. Its starting to bounce back now and using the moisture meter I can closely monitor water capacity in the root zone. Im fairly confident that it will recover in a weeks time. If it doesn't then ill start to needle tine the affected areas with bentgrass seed. The affected areas were Poa Annua grass which is a undesirable in putting greens.
We are slowly wrapping up all our spring projects and soon we will be focusing on just normal golf course maintenance. Im hoping for some warm weather soon so we all can get out and play some golf! See you in the fairways!
We only aerate our greens once a year so our goal is to reduce the greatest amount of thatch in one treatment. Think of thatch as plaque on your teeth. Plaque is always there, you never see it and its always accumulating. Regular cleanings at your dentist keeps this under control. This same principle applies to the greens. Thatch accumulation is a natural occurring process which is kept in check by aerating or dethatching(vertical mowing) the greens.
The benefits of greens aeration are numerous. Increased gas exchange, increased water infiltration, deeper rooting, reducing soil compaction, and a firmer playing surface.
We aerated the 4th,5th, and 6th greens last Monday and they are starting to knit back together. The remainder of the greens we aerated last Wednesday and Thursday and those greens will heal over soon.
What happened to the first green and what is that tool he is using?
About two weeks ago we experienced some very sunny and windy days with 20% humidity. The irrigation system wasn't "charged" due to a cracked and leaking main valve. These main valves are not a normal part we keep in stock due to the cost and the fact that they should never break. The valve was installed the day it arrived and I stayed until 8pm slowly filling up the system up and we were fully "charged" the next day.
Regretfully the damage was already done and the first green really took a good beating. Its starting to bounce back now and using the moisture meter I can closely monitor water capacity in the root zone. Im fairly confident that it will recover in a weeks time. If it doesn't then ill start to needle tine the affected areas with bentgrass seed. The affected areas were Poa Annua grass which is a undesirable in putting greens.
We are slowly wrapping up all our spring projects and soon we will be focusing on just normal golf course maintenance. Im hoping for some warm weather soon so we all can get out and play some golf! See you in the fairways!
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