Golf Course

Golf Course

Thursday, April 3, 2014

March Green's Aerification

 

    Aerification of greens in March is not a desired cultural practice in northwest Florida, especially after the cold, wet winter we've had.  The aerification was however a necessary practice based on the ISTRC soil test results we received last year.  The ISTRC test takes a soil sample 12" down in soil profile of your green and gives you two sets of data, the physical evaluation of the root systems, and the measurement of the organic matter by layer.  The second set of data contains the textural and particle size analysis.  We took samples from greens 1, 4, & 13.  The ISTRC results were very conclusive that our greens are very unhealthy, especially in the top 4".  We had a very large build up of organic matter in that top 4" and water was not readily moving through that layer to the next two layers.  The greens water to air porosity which should be a 1:1 ratio, was actually 4 or 5 : 1, water to air.  We these results in hand we made some decisions to become significantly more aggressive with our aerification program to remove this organic layer build up.  We aerified with quarter inch tines in September and October and March was also part of the plan. March is not an ideal time but a necessary cultural practice given the information that we have. We also plan on aerifying greens with 1/2" tines in May and August and 1/4" again in June and July.  The greens organic layer didn't get like this over night and it will not be remedied over night.  I do have a hard copy of the ISTRC test results if any members would so choose to read.  I hope this information answers some questions but if questions remain please feel free to reach out to me.  Thank you for your continued support.