The spring is trying to arrive but it still hasn't quite made it here yet. The temperatures have been below average for the last few weeks and it looks like they will remain so for the next few weeks too. It is hard to believe it is nearly May and the leaves still are not on the trees. As I mentioned in the last post, there is only so much a turf manager can do, after which point it is up to Mother Nature to help out. Aeration recovery depends on a multitude of things; while I can provide food and water, I can't easily control the temperature. I discussed last year the optimum soil temperature for bentgrass growth is 64-75F. Normally by now it would be close to this, as evidenced by the warm spell earlier in the month. It is interesting to see that the most rapid green-up and growth occurred that week; while since then growth has slowed up as the average soil temperatures have dropped.
The graph above from our soil sensors show that the average soil temperatures were well above 60F from around April 9th, but started dropping after the cold returned around the 15th. The current averages are in the low/mid 50Fs, so while the plants are growing, they are not growing as rapidly as they would if the soil temperatures were optimum.
An interesting observation is the pattern of recovery on the greens. The vertidrain (deep tine) holes from last fall are showing the quickest recovery and the deepest rooting. In the picture above the green dots (in the direction noted by the black lines) are the vertidrain channels from last year. The light colored (red lined) rows are from the spring aeration. The picture highlights the long term importance of aeration for rooting and overall plant health.
The greens were rolled this week one last time with the asphalt roller (below). They are smooth as they were brushed again after the big roller and they have been rolled daily since then. We mowed on Thursday to clean the surface. Mowing frequency from here will depend on growth as currently it is very slow. Saying that, the recovery over the last eight days has been satisfactory considering the less than ideal weather.
Now that aeration is out of the way, the crew are back finishing up the remaining items, prepping the course for the season. The bunkers were edged and next week the plan is to make sure the sand is even in them.
Vertidraining (deep tining) the fairways has gone well and the back nine was completed this week. This procedure is most beneficial when the soil is drier so the rain next week may delay getting the front nine completed by next weekend.
We have fixed the issue with the bridge on 7 and are currently working on the bridge by 18 tee (below), which should be completed next week.
Lastly the irrigation pond is full and back to it's former glory!
As ever, if you have any questions: alan@ledgerockgolf.com
