Annual Bermuda grass update

It is that time of the year when all attention is on the Bermuda grass. When will it green up and start to grow? Unfortunately, there is no concrete timetable. It is too dependent on the weather, and so far this spring the weather has not been helpful.

Last week we discussed the upcoming weed spray on the Bermuda grass. It was postponed due to rain but will be completed today. Now attention turns to air and soil temperatures. For the Bermuda grass to begin vigorous growth, the daytime temperatures need to rise, but most importantly, the soil temperatures need to climb also.

Since the new growth of each season starts from rhizomes and stolons down at the soil surface, or even blow it, the temperature of the soil is very important to the Bermuda grass plant. While the soil temperatures have climbed this spring (we are no longer dealing with frozen ground!), they are not quite at the consistent 50 degrees-plus that the Bermuda grass needs. The soil has reached 50 degrees or above for a few hit and miss days, but even as recently as last week, it was in the upper 30’s. The trend is moving up as the spring progresses, but we are still dealing with large swings, and it will take time for the Bermuda grass to respond.

With that being said, right now we do not see any concerns regarding winter kill on the Bermuda grass. The majority of tissue all looks healthy and green stems have started to emerge. The cold overnight air temperatures we are still experiencing (it is 27 degrees this morning!) will stunt this new growth, but the plants will rebound.

It can seem like an eternity waiting on the Bermuda grass to green up, but it always does. It is hard for the Grounds department to wait too, but we all must be patient and the grass will turn green.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path

 

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

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org