Upcoming compost application

Spring is progressing in a typical up and down fashion. Some way above normal temperatures last week, followed by closer to normal, and this week will start with a night below freezing. This can wreak havoc on the Bermuda grass. One of our core strategies to help the Bermuda grass deal with all this stress it faces is with compost. The spring application is next week.

Through the years we have bounced around to different suppliers of material, but the idea has stayed the same: improve the overall health of the soil, and therefore the health of the Bermuda grass. The Bermuda grass is out of its comfort zone in our area- shoulder seasons and winter are too cold, and the growing season is a little too short. So, the turf is always at a slight disadvantage. There are some main tools we employ to give the grass a fighting chance- our Spring Dead Spot applications, closely monitoring mowing heights in the fall and spring, and compost.

Compost focuses on soil health more than the other strategies we use for the Bermuda grass. It is very difficult to grow anything on poor soil, but especially fine turfgrass, and even more difficult if that turf is out of its element. Compost improves the soil in a variety of ways including: improving soil structure, water and nutrient holding capacity, increasing beneficial microorganisms, providing nutrients, and helping suppress pests. For us, the biggest benefits are from the improvement to soil structure and helping to suppress pests, specifically the fungus that causes Spring Dead Spot (SDS).

Good soil structure allows for good gas exchange, allowing oxygen down into the soil. In some areas on the course, we have very tight clay soils that are difficult for water to penetrate as well as roots. We aerate these areas regularly, and will continue to do so, but adding the compost also helps to increase the porosity. As the soil improves, the Bermuda grass can root better and thus be stronger through the season.

The compost also helps to suppress harmful pathogens in the soil by directly killing them, overcrowding them and reducing the population, or by secreting antagonistic compounds into the soil that irritate the harmful microorganisms. While we don’t know which combination of these is working for us, we do know that in concert with an improved pesticide program we have seen a tremendous reduction in SDS infections over time.

Overall, we have seen the Bermuda grass steadily get stronger and healthier each year, even after winters of varying severity. The compost is a big part of the program that has led to these improvements.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please keep carts on cart paths for the entirety of par 3 holes.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org