Another Rainy Day

Well, well after 2 days of sunshine this week, what else could we have expected? Hopefully, we will miss out on the frozen precipitation that our neighbors to the north are having to deal with. I figured I had a couple of minutes to spare so I decided to come in and update you all on the course happenings.

Last week we were able to complete our pre/post emergent herbicide applications that have been postponed due to the wet conditions. This combination of herbicides will help control the winter weeds that are existent in the fairways and tees as well as begin to build our barrier against the weed seeds that will begin germinating when the soil temperatures begin to rise. The cooler temperatures have hampered the effects of the chemical used to kill the existing weeds, however we are seeing some slight yellowing, which is a positive sign that the plant is taking it up slowly.

On top of the herbicide applications, we have been hard at work on renovating the old flower beds around the course. Our main focus has been around the practice areas and the clubhouse, since these are areas that get a lot of "eye time", with a goal of completing all bed work next week. When the temperatures become conducive to planting, we will fill the most visible beds with low-maintenance yet highly decorative vegetation.

My goal with this blog is to not only communicate course happenings but also educate the benefits of the many agronomic practices that are performed throughout the year. I will attempt to keep it simple, however, please provide feedback on how I can make it better. If you have questions, don't hesitate to pass them along, it will only help to enhance the effectiveness of this communication tool and it will also help me pick a topic to discuss. If you are thinking about it, there are others who have thought or are probably thinking about it as well.

SOLID TINE AERIFICATION 101
Looking ahead to the next couple of weeks, we do not have any major agronomic practices planned, mainly due to the cold temperatures. However, peeking into March, if the temperatures cooperate, we will begin attempting to jump start some transition out of dormancy. One important practice will include poking holes into the putting surface, also known as, solid tine aerification. The holes will puncture the surface allowing more effective gas exchange in the root zone, helping to aid in respiration, or "breathing". The aeration is similar to the act of poking holes into the lid of a jar containing a frog. Without the holes the frog will eventually, through respiration, replace the oxygen in the jar with a hazardous by-product carbon dioxide, leading to its death. This same exact process happens in the root zone of the greens. If we did not "vent" the greens, eventually the root zone will be in abundance of carbon dioxide and a shortage of oxygen, leading to eventual suffocation of the plants.

Now that I have bored everyone to sleep with Agronomy 101, I will now post this message and wait for the feedback. As always, you can reach me by email at steven.chernosky@ourclub.com or call my office, 281-360-2002. I am always willing to listen to comments and pass along educative information to willing listeners. Until next time, stay warm, stay dry, and get ready for some great NASCAR action coming up this weekend!! Yes, I did say NASCAR, however I will also have one eye on Pebble Beach.