Reel to Reel

   

It has been a busy couple of weeks raking, raking, and then raking some more. After a long winter, there are many sticks, leaves and debris to be cleaned up.  The crew has worked meticulously around the property.  We hope to be done next week with the cleanup so we can start mowing some rough. Noel raking along #3 Javier raking along #16 we are moving faster than this turtle to #5 pond

We received a visit today from Dr. Kevin Frank, an Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist at Michigan State University.  Dr. Frank was kind enough to stop by and take a look at our winter injury.  He was pleased with our recovery efforts and optimistic on our future recovery. Dr. Frank after he looked at #10 green  

Although temperatures this week were not great for recovery, it does not appear the below freezing night time temperatures had a negative impact.  I'm still seeing a lot of new green tissue on turf that suffered winter injury.  This is a very positive sign, as the turf is responding to our maintenance regiment. close up of new growth occurring on #18 green As we move through the recovery process, we will try and meet some very basic plant requirements: food, air and water.  Yesterday we sprayed greens with foliar nutrients.  By spraying the plants (as opposed to a granular application), we can monitor their response and adjust the amount nutrients needed. Myles spraying greens We also sliced and needle-tined greens today.  Both techniques are a relatively gentle means of providing air to the root zone. Mike slicing #8 green David needle-tining #11 green By running short irrigation cycles, t...

With the snow accumulation last night, the 2013-2014 winter officially became the snowiest on record for Metro Detroit. Winter Stats: - 94.8 inches of snow broke previous record set in 1880-1881 - 77 straight days under snow cover, also a new record - Fourth coldest winter on record with average temperature of 25.8° - Ranked third with 79 days below freezing #2 green this morning The snow should be short lived as temperatures are expected to be in the 60's by the end of the week.  In the meantime, the snow will act as insulation protecting the turf from nighttime temperatures in the mid 20's tonight.

Although we've had four days of extremely nice weather, the soil temperatures have only increased slightly.  As a result, the plants are starting to wake up.  Over the last two days, I have seen a gradual greening of the turf.  This week we made two foliar applications to supply the plants the nutrients, amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates they are not yet fully producing on their own.  The turf is still extremely fragile and will need some tender loving care as the plants start to recover. This has been a good week, however it is only step one of the recovery process.  I have been able to identify which greens are going to need more attention than others.  As we move into next week, I will be developing a recovery plan for each green as they have varying degrees of injury.    Myles spraying greens Friday   close-up of recovery on #16 green today ...

Although the temperatures have been moderate the last few days, they have not been warm enough to significantly raise the soil temperatures.  As a result, we have only seen a slight green up in the turf.  We've spent the last two days covering problematic areas on greens that suffered winter injury.  The covers are made of a lightweight permeable fabric that allows air, water, and sunlight to penetrate.  The covers will help increase soil temperatures faster.  As soil temperatures rise, the plants will break dormancy and start growing again.  Once this happens, we will have a much better picture of how much and how severe the winter injury is. Myles installing cover on right side of #1 green   cover on back tier of #5 green #10 green completely covered close-up of the cover on #17 green    

Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D., a turf specialist with Bayer Environmental Science, visited today.  Dr. Golembiewski has had a busy spring, making site visits all over the Midwest inspecting winter damage.  He thought our turf looked pretty good considering the soil temperatures have not warmed enough to see any significant recovery.  He agreed with my assessment that the plants are 10-14 days behind schedule.  And he reiterated traffic should be limited on the greens until the plants begin growing. Dr. Golembiewski saw some commonalities among our winter injury and other properties he has visited.  The worst damage is in areas on the greens that are shaded.  Turf that receives limited sunlight, photosynthesizes less; this results in less carbohydrate production and weaker plants.  Carbohydrate production and storage are extremely important going into winter.  In the fall when the days are a...

The cooler weather this week confirms we are off to a slow start this year.  Looking back at weather data for April 5th over the last five years, we can determine the plants are about 14 days behind schedule.  Turf managers can use growing degree days to help determine the plant's activity.  Growing degree days or GDD are a way to measure heat accumulation in a given year. What are Growing Degree Days? The sum of the number of degrees by which each day's average temperature exceeds a base temperature (32°). How are GDD calculated? GDD = [(maximum temperature + minimum temperature) / 2] - 32 For example on April 4th, the high of 46° and the low of 34° resulted in a GDD accumulation of 8. GDD = [(46+34)/2] - 32 = 8 Currently, we have accumulated 96 GDD this year.  Comparing the GDD on this date over the last five years, we are averaging 200 GDD behind schedule.  This translates to the plants b...

The winter of 2013-2014 will go down in the history books as one of the worst winters in southeast Michigan.  The record snow fall, extended periods of ice cover, and bitter cold temperatures took their toll on golf courses in the area.  Unprecedented winter injury has been documented throughout the area. Poa annua, the predominate grass species on putting surfaces, is not a very winter hardy grass.  This lack of cold hardiness makes it extremely susceptible to winter damage. Since most of the snow and ice has finally melted, I have been able to get a good look at the greens.  As expected after a winter like we have experienced, I'm seeing some winter injury on greens.  Most of the injury is tan in color and in random patterns.  Mother Nature seems to have done a good job identifying the weaker Poa annua plants on our property.  Until temperatures moderate and the plants break dormancy, I will not know how much or the full extent of the d...