Inclination for Cultivation

Last week we completed our first round of slicing to our Back 9 Fairways. The minimal disruption of the surface will have little to no affect on play ability, and will improve turf health by allowing gas exchange so the roots can get some much needed oxygen. The process may also stimulate horizontal growth, by cutting and laying over stolons produced by the bermudagrass. We have plans for more aggressive methods of cultivation coming in the future. On July 12th, we have a scheduled core aeration to all of our tee boxes for a second consecutive year. We also hope to extend this core cultivation to our Back 9 Fairways in the near future. 

Bunker Edging Underway

#2 Fairway Bunker after recent edging

In an earlier blog post we discussed the different ways that we maintain bunker edges. Occasional sod, blowing sand off faces after strong winter winds, and proper raking are all important factors involved in maintaining a proper bunker edge. Now we are to the point in the year where we begin the more classic form of bunker edging, where we go into the bunker are cut out vegetative growth from the inside of the bunker. We also take this time to check sand depths, and redistribute or add sand as needed. This year we will first edge our fairway bunkers, and then move onto the green side bunkers next. This process is very labor intensive, but the results speak for themselves. 

Sedges Have Edges

Weeds in the sedge family have triangular stems, which is where the
common (at least to me) expression "sedges have edges" comes from

Sedges are a triangular stemmed, mat forming weeds seen in the picture to the right.

 There are different types of sedges that can usually be identified by their underground plant parts. Sedges present a problem for golf courses, because during wet, warm weather, they can grow vertically faster than the turf, but can also overtime form dense mats that compete with the turf. We have started spraying sedge in high profile areas (around the putting green) and will focus more of our efforts toward its control once we complete our broadleaf weed spray tomorrow.

Chemical control of nutsedge