We used about 30 tons of sand on the greens.
Our process included the following.
Sprayed greens over the last week with fertilizer, root stimulant and water penetrant product. This will encourage healing and reduce dew on greens which dries greens quicker for after aeration mowing/rolling.
The greens were mowed and then a granular soil conditioning product was applied. 1000# of Renovate Plus. Topdressing sand was applied heavily to the green. This required almost 2 full loads per green depending upon the size. Our light topdressing during the season usually requires one load of sand per 4-5 greens. The sand layer helps to reduce tracking from the aerator.
Greens were then solid tine aerated. The 5% kick occurs when each tine holder is at the bottom of its thrust into the green. This motion will fracture the soil layer that is 4-5" below the surface of the green which improves rooting, oxygen exchange and water penetration. The soil layer is the original surface of the green when they were constructed many eons ago.
We then used blowers both backpack and our tow behind blower to help move the sand into the channels. Our brush drag was used as well and it also provided a final smoothed surface.
The greens were rolled and holes were changed.
To get the guys home last night, we stopped before finishing blowing in the sand on18. It will be completed this morning.
This process will enhance our greens in the following ways:
Improved root development going into winter and next spring.
Water penetration and evacuation.
Gas exchange both oxygen good and too much carbon dioxide(bad).
Stimulate plant growth/health.
We will do additional brushing later in week where sand is a little mire concentrated to improve ball roll and assist with our first mow. Our first mow will be when it is dry later in week as turf begins to grow through sand.
#2 finished, a little sandy but holes filled.
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