10/24-10/25, 2012

The grass courts were aerated again, but this time with longer tines on the Vertidrain.  Over the years we have been pulling cores out to a depth of 3 1/2 inches. Just below this depth a compacted layer can form.  Jeff is using coring tines that are set to a 5 inch depth to break up this layer.  The bottom picture shows the courts topdressed after the cores were picked up - with the topdressing filling the holes and covering the bottom of all the grass plants.  We have one aeration left for this season - large solid tines on the Vertidrain that will go down to 10 inches and crack the soil.  All of this is aimed at producing a deeper root system that will improve both plant performance next season.