Native Mowing

Every fall when we mow the native grasses it is done for reasons other than just mowing it down. One of the most important reasons we mow is for weed control. The control of unwanted weeds by mowing is most effective when it is done prior to weed seeds being produced. There are times that we mow the native in the spring as well as fall when weed pressures are high.

The most effective means for controlling weed species is through the employment
of integrated weed management. This approach uses a minimum of two or more
control strategies to prevent weeds from adapting to any single control method.


Integrated Weed Control Techniques

Mechanical control
These include tilling, mowing, burning, flooding,
mulching, pulling, hoeing, or grazing.

Chemical control
This includes the use of herbicides or plant growth
regulators to disrupt the growth of noxious weeds.

Biological control
Uses organisms to control noxious weeds. Although there has been some success on some noxious weeds, bio-control agents are not available for all species.

Record Keeping

Record keeping is one of the most important things you do, whether it’s for tax purposes, accounting, inventory, weather and even what takes place on the golf course.

From the golf course side of things accurate record keeping is a key for predicting outcomes of product efficacies based on historical data. In addition, the State of Colorado requires that all pesticide application be recorded and kept for three years. The records are to include; product applied, area of application, EPA registration number, rate of product applied, date of application and even weather conditions.

The Benefits of Record Keeping

• Records help you evaluate how well a chemical worked, particularly if you are using reduced rates or alterative application methods.
  
• Records help to prevent carry-over injury and improve chemical rotation decisions.
  
• Records are the key to a successful IPM (integrated pest management) program.
  
• Disease prevention and prediction based on historical weather data.
  
• More accurate budgeting of product ordering based on historical data.