Tip Burn

On a several fairways #6,#7 and #8 in particular, have had some tip burn occur on them. The burn was caused by the compost that was applied during aerification. One of the six truck loads of compost that was applied was a little hotter than expected. The burn that is visible now, will mowed off and will become a non issue.

The compost I use has a low C/N ratio (carbon / nitrogen) which means that the compost tends to be a little hotter than normal compost. The reason I prefer compost that is on the hot side is because, I am using it as my primary fertilizer source.

In addition to compost being used as a fertilizer source, some of the other benefits of using composts are:

Humus
• Adds humus and organic matter to the soil
• Inoculates soil with humus building microorganisms
• Improves soil structure to allow better infiltration of air and water
• Humus stores 20 times the weight in water and significantly increases the soils ability to store water

Nutrients
• Mineral based nutrients
• Organic based nutrients
• Slow release
• Does not leach into aquatic environments

Microorganisms
• Supplies a large range of beneficial fungi, bacteria and other useful species
• Suppresses soil pathogens
• Fixes Nitrogen
• Increases soil Carbon
• Releases locked up soil nutrients
• Detoxifies poisons
• Feeds plants and soil life
• Builds soil structure