Collar repair

We put our old Toro Walk behind aerator back to work this week using our rescue tines to place some very small holes into our collars where we then seeded with bentgrass.   

For the most part, this is a very non-invasive operation which will allow us to get some new grass started in the next 7-10 days.  The machine did a couple of laps around each collar.  A drop seeder then placed some new seed around each collar and they were rolled and hand watered.  We did some hand work as well in the most severe spots to provide some additional openings in the soil surface so that more seed would germinate. 

Jason is walking the machine around the collar of #14. 

The tip of the pin illustrates the narrow spacing of the hole and the shallow depth of the tine.  Bentgrass is very small and only needs very light contact with the soil to germinate.

The bentgrass/poa collar on the front of #17 has been a problem for us since I've been here.  When we roll or have to use verticutters or we mow with the riding machine, there is no room for the equipment to turn.  The same path has to be used, compaction occurs and the turf just gives out.  In an effort to improve this section of green and surround, we tore out the old collar and placed zoysia grass in its place.  The collar will be moved  in by about 30" which should give us enough room for equipment to turn without damaging the turf too severely.