Changing pins today allowed me to get a good look at the root system underneath greens. Take a look at these white roots! This is always a good sign heading into the season. Thick, white roots are indicators of healthy turf. Dingy white or brown roots are a sign of trouble. We keep our height of cut much higher during these next couple weeks to allow for good root development. The leaf tissue above ground is directly proportional to the length of roots underground. Specifically, if you mow greens under an 1/8", the root system will decrease proportionately. Also, higher cut turf will recover faster than turf mowed at lower heights.
Above, Forsythia shrubs are one of the best tools for superintendents. Why?
Florsythia flower petal drop is the prime time to apply a crabgrass pre-emergent. Also, petal drop is a good indicator that Annual Bluegrass Weevil adults are on the move. The indicators that mother nature provides us with can't be ignored because they are often times more accurate than any other prediction model. You may notice that I've been adding more Forsythia on the golf course for this reason alone.
During a brief rainstorm at the Club today, I waited it out under a hemlock on the 16th hole. I was looking at the health of the surrounding rhododendron and took this photo.Many homeowners and superintendents try to remove all leaf litter from landscape beds. However, I leave it provided it is out of site. Trees and shrubs are fertilized by mother nature by way of composted leaf material. This is how trees live for hundreds of years in nature. Once a tree is planted in a turf environment, that is the first day of its death. The tree or shrub does not have anything to sustain life, unless synthetic fertilizers are applied by the owner. Of course, these types of products are never as good as what nature provides. For healthier trees and shrubs or your property, consider leaving the leaves!
Below, the flag on the 16th green blows in a stiff wind during the storm. I did end up getting wet!
