Autumn is coming and it is time to aerate and topdress the grass courts. We understand that it is disruptive and sometimes noisy, but it is necessary. The biggest challenge we have is when to do it. August and September are the optimum time to perform these operations, but this is also the time when there is a great deal of tournament and member play. Many golf courses actually close holes or entire facilities to get this done. At LCC we take a number of factors into consideration when choosing when and which courts to aerate and topdress:
- Membership play - how many members do we expect to show up to play on grass?
- The weather. If it is going to rain a lot, the terrace dries fastest so we may not want to close those courts for a day or two. Rain helps wash in topdressing and speeds recovery. Heat can damage the grass after aeration.
- Tournaments. If they need many courts, we won't close too many.
- Court conditions. Aerating can soften a court for a few days, so we take into consideration who will be playing.
- Outings and groups. They all want to play in front of the clubhouse.
- Need! Which courts need it the most.
So a big part of the job is not only performing our agronomic tasks, but also judging the best time to do it.
Below is a question posed to the USGA Green Section and a link to an article on aeration and topdressing.
Our greens were in great shape and now our golf course superintendent ruined them by punching holes all over them. I think she is being overprotective of them and just too stubborn to change her ways. Is this aeration all that important?
Aeration is an extremely important maintenance practice. Although it results in a temporary disruption of the green, aeration improves water penetration into the soil, reduces soil compaction, stimulates turfgrass root growth for a healthier plant, helps control thatch build-up, and improves overall growing conditions. Aeration generally is done once or twice per year, and sometimes more often if certain problems exist.
Think of it like going to the dentist for your twice-yearly check-up. The same holds true for aeration. You can skip a visit to the dentist, but you will contribute to problems over the long term. You can skip one of the semi-annual aerations, but this can result in a faster turf loss. Your superintendent isn't being overprotective. She is doing exactly what should be done to ensure long-term turf health.
Think of it like going to the dentist for your twice-yearly check-up. The same holds true for aeration. You can skip a visit to the dentist, but you will contribute to problems over the long term. You can skip one of the semi-annual aerations, but this can result in a faster turf loss. Your superintendent isn't being overprotective. She is doing exactly what should be done to ensure long-term turf health.
http://turf.lib.msu.edu/2000s/2003/030301.pdf
1 comment:
Thanks for the comprehensive update Mike - perhaps next year a "Pre" aeration and top dressing memo to the members might be in order. I told some members that the grass was tired and hungry and you were giving it a rest and a good meal - that seemed to satisfy most of the inquisitive gang.
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