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| Faint blue spots are weeds sprayed by hand |
Each winter we make an effort to remove as many weeds from
the Bermuda grass as possible. This year was no exception. The only difference
this year is the scope of our program. Through a little bit of planning, some
good weather, and a lot of luck, the weed totals this year are far below what
they have been in any of the past few years.
Our general program in the past has consisted of hand
spraying dormant Bermuda grass tees and approaches with round-up, the
non-selective herbicide that can kill all types of plants. We would then follow
that up with a broadcast spray application of the same chemical, Roundup,
across all of the dormant Bermuda grass fairways to kill all of the weeds in
those areas. Finally, we would make one more broadcast spray application with a
selective herbicide, once the Bermuda grass has begun to grow. This herbicide
does not hurt the Bermuda grass, but kills all of the other weeds.
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| Blue spots are visible here as well |
Similar to years past, we started with hand spraying. If you
have played over the last couple of weeks, you will have noticed the blue spots
on the tees and approaches. This was the grounds staff spot spraying the weeds
on the dormant Bermuda grass. We target the tees and approaches with hand
spraying because it is too dangerous to get the big sprayer in such tight areas
using chemicals that will kill all of the grass. We can be much more effective,
efficient, and safe by using the small sprayer.
Next, we would have normally needed a full or spot spray on
all of the dormant Bermuda grass in the fairways. However, this year, there are
so few weeds that we won’t be making this application at all. There are
probably several reasons that the weeds are so few this year, with the most
important being the health of the Bermuda grass headed into last fall/winter. The
fairway turf was thick and healthy so there were not any thin areas for weeds
to establish.
Lastly, later in spring, once the Bermuda grass has begun to
grow, we would make our selective herbicide application. Again, though, due to
the lack of weeds, this will be adjusted this year as well. This normally has
been a full application on all Bermuda grass. However, this year, our plan is
to make only spot applications. We will use our large sprayer, make up a full
tank, and drive across all of the fairways, but only spray where there are
weeds. This is another opportunity for us to be more effective and efficient.
By reducing the amount of weeds in the Bermuda grass with
healthy turf and some good fortune, we will eliminate one entire application
and reduce another by more than 50%.
Etiquette Reminder of the Month
Winter cart path only rules are designed to protect the
dormant Bermuda grass. It is not dependent on if the fairways are too wet or
not.
See you on the course!
Joe
jvillegas@bwrc.org
