Dartmouth

On April 27, 2011 I visited Dartmouth College for a one day seminar for the NH and VT Parks Associations. The main focus of the day was turfgrass and I was there representing the New England Sports Turf Managers Association giving a brief talk on educational opportunities in the field of turfgrass science. The highlight of the day had nothing to do with turfgrass - it was having a tour of the campus with Dartmouth's arborist. He went over a lot of details about the history of trees on the campus, how they maintain them and new tree selection. Fascinating!

Living Windscreen

The crew planting English and Baltic Ivy along the new fence by the back driveway. The plan is for these plants to grow up the fence and function as a screen between the terrace grass courts and the driveway.

First Again

Dick M. hitting the first balls of the 2011 season.

Grass Changing Fast

When the snow finally melted in March, the grass courts were solid green from the winter long insulation of the snow. Then the exposed Poa annua began yellowing on the leaf tips and the bentgrass turned reddish purple (this is from lack of phosphorus in the cool temps - picture directly below) Then the weather started to warm a bit and the bentgrass turned back to green and began growing while the Poa annua remained yellow. Finally this week, the Poa annua started greening up (bottom picture.) Like almost every year, there are ever changing colors and growth spurts of the different species of grass on our courts. Next month will be no different, with the Poa annua producing seed.

Fun Shirt Friday Continues

Nate and his Darth Vadar fun shirt Friday T shirt.

Light Installation Punch List

The lights are in, but there is still some work to be done to finish off the project. A few of the items on the punch list are: regrading and sodding the lawn, leveling the brick sidewalk and relocating some of the irrigation heads.

"Eat Lunch Like a Prince"

The crew has been working hard getting the clay courts ready for opening day and on Friday they were rewarded with a delicious hot lunch prepared by John G. (see menu below). As usual the cooking was great and much appreciated - thanks John!

Le Menu: Poulet de citron. Pommes de terre bourrées cuites au four. Haricots verts avec des amandes.

Race to Beat the Rain

Above is what the grounds looked like on Friday April 1, 2011. Today rain was expected to start in the morning and another valuable day for renovating the clay courts was going to be ruined. Opening day is only 12 days away! The crew got out early and cleaned and spread court topdressing on three courts before the rain. Expecting to not be able to do anything on the courts today, it's a huge bonus. The crew worked really hard, knowing rain was on the way and it did start raining mid-morning. In the last two pictures you can check out Charlie's work. He is spreading topdressing unevenly to correct for wear areas in the court. This is where experience and the art of maintaining a clay court come into play.