Ice Removal

As the snow has melted back from the fairways several areas of ice formation have been created.  These areas generally occur in the lower lying areas in which poor surface drainage exists. Most of these areas have drainage systems in place which are frozen and no longer allow movement of free water.

Traditionally we have used compost to help melt theses ice areas in addition to mechanically breaking the ice with aerification equipment. This year we found another way to help with ice removal that appears to be less damaging to the turf (physically). While blowing off debris from the fairways it was discovered that the ice lifts from the forced air coming out of the blowers.  This method works best when a person is working with the blower to help lift the ice and make the wind force more effective. 

Almost There

A little more than a week has passed since completing our spring aerification on the course and things are beginning to get back to normal.

I am extremely happy with the recovery on the greens as you would be hard pressed to find any indication that holes were punched only eight days ago. Ample fertilizer and soil amendments have been applied to the greens to encourage a quick but health recovery.  One of the negative side effects from this would be slower than normal green speeds due to the amount of positive growth taking place.  Now that full recovery has already taken place PGR's (Plant Growth Regulators) will be utilized to help slow down growth and encourage a more dense stand of turf which will result in an increase in smoothness and green speeds.


One area that is still not quite where I would like to see is the fairways.  They are still a bit messy from the compost that was applied during aerification.  Each time we mow the compost is still being tracked up by the mowers and requires dragging to breakup and re-work in the compost.  This problem should get better in the next week as the material works it's way down the canopy and active growth begins to take place in the fairways.

Compost Being Tracked Up By The Fairway Mowers

Dual Purpose

The uses for compost are nearly endless and we have found one that kills two birds with one stone.

With the recent snowfall that has once again delayed our project we needed a way to help melt the snow off the areas still under construction. The compost was spread on the surface of the snow to help accelerate the melting process. The dark color of the compost attracts the sun and does most of the work for us. One other side benefit of spreading the compost is that after the snow melts, the compost can now easily be incorporated with the soil below amending and improving it prior to new sod installation.

Melting Power

Of the remaining fairway areas that still have snow on them; we are now lending a helping hand to encourage a more rapid melting. We have found yet another use for compost. We have gone out and spread a thin layer of compost over the areas in which snow remains. With the intense sunlight found in Colorado the dark color of the compost quickly absorbs heat and accelerates the melting process.

The complete melt off will take place over several days as each layer of snow melts and then re-freezes. The intense melting that takes place during the day is turned into a negative at night with the temperatures still dipping into the low twenties. This freeze and thaw cycle requires that Compost be added each day until the snow has finally melted away.


Compost spread over snow
Close up of pitting caused by compost

What is Compost Tea?

Compost Tea is a highly concentrated microbial solution produced by extracting beneficial microbes from compost. This "brew" is produced by adding nutrients to water that is highly aerated. Compost is placed in a "tea bag or basket" and suspended in solution and the extraction process begins. Using the proper equipment, good quality Compost Tea can be brewed in 24 hours. Once the tea has been properly brewed it can be applied to anything that grows and will act as a natural fertilizer that also provides some disease suppression. The tea is fully enriched with beneficial bacteria and fungi that feed the existing soil organisms that starts the nutrient cycling process.

BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPOST TEA USE

Microbial Functions

-Compete with disease causing microbes

-Degrade toxic pesticides and other chemicals

-Produce plant growth hormones

-Mineralize plant available nutrients

-Fix nitrogen

-Plant surfaces are occupied by beneficial microbes leaving no room for pathogens to infect the plant (squatters rights)

Direct Nutrition
-A source of foliar and soil organic nutrients. -Chelated micronutrients for easy plant absorption -Nutrients in a biologically available form for both plant and microbial uptake

Compost

The use of compost on the golf course was slowly introduced over 6 years to areas such as flowerbeds and new construction projects. Since that time compost has been a mainstay in my agronomic tool belt. It now comprises nearly 85% of the total fertility applied to the fairways on the golf course every year. We have moved away from synthetic or man made fertilizers that strip the soil of nutrients and microorganisms.

The Benefits of Compost

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