We finally seem to be in the fall season (despite the forecasted
temperatures of this upcoming week!). We have had our first light frost, and
the leaves are all turning. We have turned our attention away from the Bermuda grass
for the season now and are focusing on the cool season grass in the rough and
on the greens. One of our yearly tasks at this point is to get our fall
fertilizer out in the rough.
Fall is one of the best times to fertilize the rough.
Temperatures have cooled and the growing conditions are terrific for the cool
season grass. There are still 2-3 weeks of growing time left in the year before
the cold really sets in. Part of the fertilizer we put down at this time of
year is released to the plant and carbohydrates are stored for the winter. Root
growth is also increased and it helps the plant prepare for winter, but also
helps the plant prepare for next season as well. With stronger roots now, the
plant will start spring off strong and ready to handle the heat stress of the
next season.
About half of the nutrients are released in the first 3
weeks after being applied. However, the other half is a slow-release formula
that lasts through the winter and even into early spring. The chemistry of the
slow-release is soil temperature dependent, so as the temperatures get very
cold, the release of nutrients stops. When soil temperatures climb again in the
spring, nutrients begin releasing again. What we end up with is a nice curve of
available nutrients for the rough that matches the late fall, winter, and early
spring growth habit of the grass. By applying the fertilizer now, we get the
nutrients into the soil so that they are ready for the plant when needed.
Even though it seems the summer of 2016 barely ended, we are
already putting measures in place to make the summer of 2017 better. Fertilizing
the rough now will help us build a strong stand of rough for next year.
Etiquette Reminder of the Month
Please leave bunker rakes inside the bunkers when you are
finished.
Note: Starting in November, through February, posts will be
reduced to once per month. Thank you.
See you on the course!
Joe
jvillegas@bwrc.org
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