TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live...

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I discuss cart path curbing. A few years back, I was involved with a complete cart path construction project and I decided to do an interesting thing when it came to curbing selection. I never really liked the "standard 4-inch curb", so I discussed a smaller curb with our contractor, DHR Golf Construction, and they informed me of a project at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, where they used 2" curb. I must admit, I loved the thought of that. So, when I wrote the specs for the project, I decided to use 2" curbing in many areas throughout the course. It was a big success! To view this video, please click HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com and thanks for watching.

Winter Injury on Golf Greens...

Recently, I came across this article I wrote in 2006. Even though it has some age, there still is some pertinent information concerning winter injury to turfgrass systems.

The cancer of turf (Turfgrass maintenance)

Although more is known about winter damage than in years past, there’s no guarantee turfgrass will survive the season unscathed.

September 2006 - Kevin J. Ross, ONCOURSETurf, LLC

One of the most difficult times for a golf course superintendent in Northern regions of the country is that anxious period in the spring when turfgrass conditions reveal how well the turf came through the winter.

As springtime approaches, superintendents are faced with difficult decisions concerning the “when’s,” “if’s” and “how’s” of ice and snow removal, free water removal, green cover use and many other decisions that might dictate how well the golf season starts.

When a course suffers severe winterkill, income suffers, reputation suffers, and most of all, superintendents suffer. Sometimes they get pink slips. Although the affected areas are eventually fixed or will recover, winter damage truly can be the cancer of turf.

Today’s terminology
Many individuals use the term “winter damage,” which covers various mechanisms of turfgrass damage. Basically, winter damage is defined as any injury that occurs during the winter. Winter damage can be inflicted by winter turfgrass fungi (snow molds and cool-season pythiums), crown hydration/dehydration, ice encasement damage (anoxia), direct low-temperature kill and desiccation. Of these, only true winter diseases and desiccation are understood, while crown hydration/dehydration and ice cover damage still aren’t completely understood. Crown hydration and ice damage have many questions associated with the “when’s” and “why’s.” Why this type of injury occurs is partly understood. 

In contrast, when it happens is the question to which no one really knows an answer. That’s what makes winter damage so difficult to combat. Some years, superintendents remove snow and ice from their greens, and the resulting turf conditions are perfect. The following year, the same blueprint is followed, and the results are far different with major turf damage.

How it happens
The mechanisms that cause crown hydration (also known as freeze injury) are thought to occur when hydrated plants become subject to rapid temperature decreases. Crown hydration – or dehydration, which is more accurate – happens from inside the plant tissue (intracellular) and from outside the plant tissue (extracellular). Crown dehydration from an intracellular nature is believed to happen when the water around the cells inside the plant suddenly freezes. This draws the water out of the cell, causing dehydration and results in the death of the plant. This is the type of injury that’s widely believed to cause most turf damage during the winter.

There’s certain debate about when this actually happens during the winter. James Ross, a researcher at the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre in Olds, Alberta, believes the plant must break dormancy and begin to hydrate before the freezing process. Ross believes the transition from winter to spring is the most critical for damage to occur because of plant dehardening.

“Generally, when the plant begins to break dormancy, it takes on water, which hydrates the crowns and reduces the simple sugars that protect the crown through the winter and make it much more susceptible,” he says. “Others believe this can happen anytime during the winter, when some of the wacky weather takes place.”

Extracellular crown dehydration happens similarly, except it’s believed that ice forms outside the plant and pulls water out of the plant by osmosis. This results in a dehydration of the plant and might result in the death of the plant.

For years, winter damage (such as true ice encasement damage) has been associated with a gas build-up that occurs just under the ice surface. Under prolonged ice cover, oxygen is depleted from the plant, which is still under very low levels of respiration and microbe activity. This results in an accumulation of toxic gases that might cause the death of the plant. Recently, it’s been debated whether or not ice encasement damage is a major cause of turf damage. 

Superintendents also have been taught the 60/90-day rule for many years. This rule states that Poa annua can survive under ice cover for as long as 60 days, while bentgrass can survive as long as 90 days. This rule is based on 40-year-old research and is being revisited.

Cold tolerance
So, what have the industry learned to date? There seems to be one factor, although not completely understood, which might have the greatest influence on turfgrass overwintering. Plant hardening, or hardiness, can be classified as the antifreeze for turf and might be one of the most influential mechanisms determining winter survival. 

This process begins in the late summer and continues into the early winter. The plant goes through the hardening stage by internally adjusting to cold temperatures and by storing carbohydrates. During this period, moisture content decreases in the plant, leaving it with a higher sugar content. This higher sugar (antifreeze) content allows the plant to survive the freezing process better. 

It’s believed one of the major differences in winter survival between creeping bentgrasses and Poa annua is their ability to harden and deharden differently. To begin with, bentgrass has the ability to reach a much lower level of cold hardiness than Poa annua. The internal plant mechanisms of bentgrass allow it to harden off at a much lower percentage of moisture content in the crown tissues than Poa annua. 

An additional problem with Poa annua is it tends to deharden much faster than creeping bentgrass during the transition from winter to spring. This makes Poa annuamore vulnerable to freeze-type damage. 

In a two-year study conducted at the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre, it was determined that in mid-March, Poa annua’s cold tolerance had dropped to 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit while the creeping bentgrass was cold hardy to -20.2 degrees Fahrenheit (Tompkins, 2000). The same study also found that both grass species eventually had the same cold tolerance by mid-April. These findings lend credence to the notion that most damage occurs during late winter through early spring, when dehardening occurs.

The best line of defense for preventing damage might be a combination of practices that all increase turfgrass health. Raising the cutting height and proper fertilization timing might be the two most important cultural practices. Both will help produce and store carbohydrates in the plant, which will increase the “antifreeze effect.” Another method of defense that’s often overlooked is to try to prolong cold-temperature hardiness by protecting turf with increasing snowcover or the use of covers. However, this can be tricky.

Hard to pinpoint
Many people in the industry have believed that if you have bentgrass versus Poa annua, there’s no need to worry about winter damage because of bentgrass’ greater cold tolerance. Well, we certainly know this isn’t always true. For example, Gerry White, former golf course superintendent of Sebago Lakes Resort’s 18-hole championship golf course in Casco, Maine, was quite surprised to find damage – for the first time ever – to his 10-year-old Poa-free Providence greens one April.

“In the 10 years since the course has been built, we had never had any damage to the greens,” White says. “They had been perfect every year. Suddenly one year, bang! I get hit pretty hard and lost almost all of my 16th green.”

The explanation? White has none, but he theorizes:

“We did have a crazy winter weatherwise, but every winter seems to be crazy,” he says.

So why this one year? No one really knows for sure. When turfgrass suffers winter damage, superintendents and those from the world of academia can only theorize what transpired to result in turf loss. That’s what makes this issue so difficult. If you don’t really know how it was caused, then it’s difficult to find a solution.

Finding a solution, if there is one, can only be accomplished by years of superintendents’ experiences and university research. John Roberts, Ph.D., from the University of New Hampshire, has been looking at winter damage for about 20 years and still hasn’t found the miracle cure. Other universities also are conducting work concerning winter damage. This includes research by Dave Minner, Ph.D., and Nick Christians, Ph.D., from Iowa State University and Darrell Tompkins and James Ross of the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre.

Although winter damage is still a difficult phenomenon to understand, we certainly know more now than in years past. However, the knowledge that we’ve gained doesn’t ensure winter turfgrass survival. Many superintendents have headed into the winter preparing and conditioning the turf the best they can only to get nailed the following spring with winter damage. That’s why many believe winterkill is truly the cancer of turfgrass. 

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live.....

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I discuss marking "water release points" and "surface drainage patterns" that can help in the battle against winter injury on golf greens. I developed and used this technique for many years during my superintendent career and it was extremely helpful. To view the video, please click HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com and thanks for watching. 

TurfNet "Tips and Tricks" is Live.....

Recently, I collaborated with Scott Rettmann, Golf Course Superintendent at Walnut Creek Country Club in Lyons, Michigan on a video production. I had seen some video updates he was producing for his membership on project work which was happening on the golf course. I thought it was such a great idea that it just had to be a TurfNet "Tips and Tricks" video. With some back and forth on the phone and a bunch of clips via Dropbox, we made it happen. This is a great idea by Scott, please view video: HERE Big thanks to Scott for helping with this video collaboration. If anyone has a great idea and would like to collaborate on this sort of video, please contact me. Thanks for watching. 

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live...

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I discuss a unique tool I came across to help with spray head maintenance. Spray heads, (pop ups) are becoming the norm for bunker surrounds. Keeping the surrounds in great shape will increase the longevity of the bunker itself. This tool is simple and easy to use. It can certainly be a big help with the maintenance of those bunker spray zones. To view the video click HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com

TurfNet TV....Latest Video is Live

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I discuss a photo/video tip I learned years ago that has helped me get better photos and video for many years. It's simple and easy to do and the results can be great. It involves just getting up off of ground level for that great shot. To view the video click HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com

TurfNet TV...Latest Video is Live

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I highlight an idea I picked up while on the agronomic team at Medinah Country Club setting up for the BMW Championships. This idea solves a unique problem while rolling greens and being unable to see your previous pass line. The use of simple snow stakes as guides makes it much easier to get rolling perfect. To view the video click HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com

TurfNet TV - Video

In this TurfNet.com video, I take a break from the golf course and talk about personal health. As agronomists we track so much data about the golf course, but do we know enough about our own personal data. Monitoring your blood pressure can be one of the most important things you can do....and it's easy. I explain in this video, to view click HERE As always thanks to my supporting sponsor tantoirrigation.com

Sweet Heart Winery Project.....

I was extremely excited when the owner of Sweetheart Winery in Loveland, Colorado, first contacted me concerning some agronomic consulting of the property.  Having been to the winery on a few occasions, I really loved their grounds. I always looked at the lawn areas thinking they could be something really special with the correct agronomic program.

After a meeting and walk-around with the owner, I was hired to do the exact thing I had thought about - come up with an agronomic plan for the property! So, I went to work on the perfect plan.  When you work as an agronomic consultant, there aren’t many times when someone tells you to do whatever it takes to get turf areas where they need to be. Starting with a blank canvas is always a good way to start. 

The winery sits on the Big Thompson River and is a very environmentally sensitive area.  In 2013, the river flooded and caused some major issues. The river restoration was just completing in the area at the time of my involvement with the property. Knowing the entire situation, the owner requested the use of an organic fertilizer source. It didn’t take me long to realize that one of my favorite fertilizers, Milorganite, would be my choice for this project. Milorganite is a natural slow-release fertilizer that I had used for some 35 years during my career as a golf course superintendent, and always was the mainstay of my nutritional program. Being a natural slow-release, Milorganite would offer the characteristics we would need. With the Big Thompson River flowing along the property, we wanted to protect the water quality and have no leaching of nutrients into the water. With the nitrogen in Milorganite, I knew there would be no leaching. We also wanted to build the soil structure and I knew that with the nitrogen from Milorganite, soil microorganisms would start to proliferate during the breakdown of the nitrogen. This would help build soil health quickly. With the winery only being open for two years, with minimal professional turf management, building long-term soil health was a goal of mine for the property. The iron in Milorganite would also be a big plus, as we could get some instant greening of the turf. Even though the use of Milorganite would be the mainstay of the overall fertility plan, there were other items to address as well.

The Winery is located on the Big Thompson River.

Although the property was not that old, the irrigation system certainly needed to have an audit performed. No matter what the nutritional plan was, if the irrigation coverage wasn’t good, the turf health would be the same. So, I performed a complete audit of the system. This audit identified many fix-its which would make the system perform more efficiently. Items such as crooked heads, broken/clogged nozzles, minor leaks, and programming were all evaluated and fixed. Once the irrigation was working well, I new we were ready to get the turf in great shape.

With the turf condition very thin and weak, I decided to also include a small amount of urea (0.25#/N/M) as a jump-start for the turf. I also incorporated some humic acid as part of the nutrient program. I have now termed the program “The Hybrid Method” which means a small amount of synthetic plus a larger fraction of organic.

There was one more item to address at the winery and that was watering. The owner had asked me to do whatever we could to save on the water bill. Domestic water in Colorado is very expensive, so anything would be helpful. Colorado also experiences some very consistent dry weather with very low relative humidity. It’s not uncommon to have ET (evapotranspiration) rates run as high as 0.35” + per day. So, I knew that there was no doubting the fact that the use of a wetting agent would make perfect sense for these issues. Although there are many manufacturers’ claims of what wetting agents do, the research tells us there are two definite benefits - they reduce surface tension and produce better soil moisture uniformity. Needless to say, I decided to incorporate a wetting agent as part of the overall management plan.

Before Photo.

At six weeks after irrigation audit and product applications.

I’m very pleased to say the results have been truly fantastic. The grounds at the winery have improved tremendously since the initial applications.  Going forward,  I believe regular Milorganite and wetting agent applications will be the backbone of turfgrass health at the Sweetheart Winery. Stay tuned to the blog for future updates.

TurfNet TV....Latest Video is Live...

My latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss a tool I made many years ago that can help with course set-up plugs. I show how this tool can help lower plugs that aren't level enough on the green surface. Whether it's just minor or more severe, this tool can help. View HERE. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation.

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live...

My latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com is live. In this video, Jordan McCormick, superintendent at Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland, Colorado shares his Custom Tool Roof Rack idea with me. A great idea, take a look, view HERE. Thanks for watching and enjoy!

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live.......

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. This video is a follow-up to my previous video, the first ONCOURSE Turf Quiz. In this video I give the answers to the Turf Quiz. Check it out and see how you did. The quiz was a collection of just some of the issues I've seen in my travels over the past couple of years. Hope you had fun with it, because that's what it's all about. View HERE. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation.

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video it's all about having a little fun with the first ever ONCOURSE Turf Quiz. This quiz is a collection of just some of the issues I've seen in my travels over the past couple of years. Have fun with it, test your staff, and send it around. Good luck! View HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

TurfNet TV - Latest Video....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the importance of having either a great supply house for fuses or keeping an extra set in stock. A few days at the wrong time of year can make a big difference if your pump station goes down. Be prepared. View HERE as always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the "Chest Harness" for use with portable 2-way radios. These were a big help during my career as a golf course superintendent. They are very comfortable and offer many benefits. Check it out, click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

Presenting in Buffalo, NY

Really excited to be headed to Buffalo, New York for a presentation at the Western Regional Conference, sponsored by the Western New York Golf Course Superintendents Association. Looking forward to meeting many new superintendents and seeing a couple of great old friends of the industry in that area. I'll be presenting "Turf Tips - Thinking Outside the Box". So, okay greater Buffalo area superintendents....get ready... I'm coming at you soon... can't wait!

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I step off the course and back into the kitchen by popular demand. I show how to make one of my favorite homemade soups, White Bean Chicken Chili. This soup is really good and very healthy. You can also play around with this recipe by adding various vegetables or other items you prefer. This is a recipe you can have a lot of fun with....enjoy. Check it out, click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss a trick I discovered to take close-up photos and videos with your smartphone. All you need is a basic hand lens. This is something you can have a lot of fun doing. Check it out, click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My first ON COURSE video of 2019 for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the "due diligence" needed during the planning stages of a new irrigation system. I talk about the "other" components besides the irrigation controls and sprinkler heads. Check it out, click HERE to view. I would like to also welcome back my supporting sponsor for 2019, Tanto Irrigation Thanks for your support! 

TurfNet Webinars....

I've been catching up on some TurfNet.com webinars lately and realized what a benefit it is to have these available online. I missed a number of these this past year due to some extensive traveling. Having these available in an archive is absolutely the best. Thanks to Grigg for sponsoring these great educational webinars. This webinar by Dr. Doug Soldat, Fundamentals of Fall Fertilization, I found really interesting. I know it's not fall, but if you haven't viewed this webinar it's a must for all turf managers. You can view it HERE

My Latest Read....

A few years ago Jim Haley, Highland Golf Services stopped in my office with Bill Bartels, Tanto Irrigation and gave me a copy of "Dream Golf" The Making of Bandon Dunes. Well, about that time I was slowing packing up my office for my eventual retirement from the golf course superintendent profession and this book was immediately packed. Well, after 3 years in a box and in storage, it was recently unpacked and moved up to the top of my read list. Can't wait to read the whole story. Thanks Jim for the copy. 

Visiting and touring Bandon Dunes was one of my true highlights
 of my golf course management career. 

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live..

My latest ON COURSE video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I chat with Dennis Kling, Golf Course Superintendent for the City of Loveland, Colorado. We discuss in specifics the Cattail Creek mini-course. This course was built to help "Grow the Game" of golf. It uses SNAG golf equipment and is a fantastic way to introduce young kids to golf. Check it out, click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor Tanto Irrigation