Believe it or not, I answer more questions concerning member lawns than I do about the golf course on the average day. It is fun to be able to help members by answering such questions. The climate in Highlands is very unique with the high rainfall totals (96"/year) and relatively mild climate with cooler summers and winters that tend not to be too harsh. It creates an environment where most cool season plants can thrive. However, this can also be a challenge in a yard or a garden.
Before I get started, the term 'weed' is somewhat misunderstood. The definition of a weed is simply something growing where it isn't desired. Therefore, a boxwood (a desirable shrub) growing in the middle of your lawn could be a weed. We tend to think of weeds as plants that are not only growing in the wrong place but also plants that we feel have little to no ornamental value whatsoever. We also think of invasive species when we think of weeds. Keep this in mind when I use an example of bentgrass growing in Kentucky bluegrass roughs. Bentgrass is certainly the desirable species on our fairways, greens and tees, but it's a weed when growing in the rough.
Rough Bluegrass
One of the biggest challenges of turfgrass management in Highlands comes in springtime. As temperatures begin to warm up in March, different species of grass start to awaken at different times based on the temperatures. Grasses like bentgrass and rough bluegrass are usually the first to kick into gear. Kentucky Bluegrass on the other hand, doesn't really commence active growth until May, when the temperatures are consistently warm. This creates a big challenge because these grassy weeds have a tremendous competitive advantage over the desired Kentucky Bluegrass because of the cooler temps. The photo above (from a Highlands yard) is the result of Rough Bluegrass contamination in 2 year old sod that will continue to expand due to the lack of competition from other grass species. There are some chemical control options available but none that offer 100% control. Also, once the problem gets this bad, effective control would leave large voids of dead grass that would require resodding.
Mouseear Chickweed with a Dandelion in the center
Chickweed is a stubborn weed that is common this time of year in turf in Highlands. It is eradicated using selective herbicides but its not uncommon for it to require 2-3 applications before it dies.
Hairy Bittercress
Hairy Bittercress is without a doubt the most common annual weed we battle this time of year at Highlands CC. Fortunately, it is easy to eliminate with as little as 1 application of a selective herbicide. It is most commonly found growing on creek banks around the golf course.
Wild Violet
Wild Violet is probably the most difficult turfgrass weed to control. It takes multiple applications to eradicate it; sometimes more than 3-4 applications spaced out 7 days apart. We are fortunate to rarely see this on the course but I commonly see it in yards around the Club.
Finally, if you have a lawn are interested, anytime between now and Late April is when spring fertilizer and a crabgrass pre-emergent should be applied. The timing on the pre-emergent is critical. This product forms a chemical barrier in the soil which prevents the germination of grassy weeds. If you miss this window, whether too late or too early, it will not be effective. This week we will start the golf course fertilization and will be finished on Monday, April 16th. For the last 12 years, I've used a product called Polyon made in Sylacauga, Alabama. If you've visited Farmlinks, you probably heard the name mentioned as it was developed by the Pursell family. I've been most happy with this product and plan to continue using it well into the future.