We have been fortunate that the last several years have been some of the strongest Bermuda grass seasons we have ever seen. The Bermuda grass has been healthy and strong from April 1st and that is a testament to the work we do at this time of year. Believe it or not, September and October are the two most critical months for ensuring healthy Bermuda grass the next season.
Air temperatures, soil temperatures, and day length all
start to drop quickly in September. These are all triggers telling the Bermuda
grass that it is time to prepare for cold and dormancy. Growth slows, the leaf
color changes, and the plant starts to store carbohydrates for the winter
rather than using its energy for aggressive top growth.
Knowing this, we try to give the plant as many vital sugars
as possible at this time. We don’t want the Bermuda grass lacking for any
nutrition as it prepares for the cold. In a similar vein, the plant also needs
adequate water to move these nutrients throughout its roots and shoots. So,
with these two ideas combined, over the next several weeks we will apply 2
different seaweed extract products and 2 different wetting agents to aid in
carbohydrate storage and soil water retention.
The plant is also more susceptible to attack at this time
too because it is not growing as vigorously. And this is precisely when the
pathogen that causes Spring Dead Spot (SDS) infiltrates the Bermuda grass plant.
Even though the symptoms don’t appear until the spring, the damage is caused
now and into the early part of the winter. The pathogen is especially keyed in
to soil temperatures and has a very specific range when it is most active. So,
we start monitoring soil temperatures September 1st and when we hit
the threshold temperature, we make our applications.
Lastly, in response to the slowing growth, we adjust our
mowing frequency also. We mow less not only because the plant is just not
physically growing as much, but also because mowing is stressful and we want
minimize stress as possible. The height at which we mow the Bermuda grass also
changes. We raise our height of cut because the more leaf tissue that the plant
has, the much better chance of winter survival it has.
Even though the Bermuda grass season is winding down, we are
no less vigilant in our program. Properly caring for the Bermuda grass now is
what helps set up a good season the following year.
Etiquette Reminder of the Month
Please do no practice on the course. Taking extra shots
leads to unnecessary divots and ball marks. Thank you
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
