Frost, Turf Renovation and More

We experienced our first frost of the season today and it was heavy enough to create a slight delay. Be aware that this will occur more frequently as evening temperatures dip into the 30's and soil temperatures begin to cool. Excellent article on Frost Delays from the USGA and a video below. I'll give the Glen Echo Grounds Department's view on frost in the next week or two with another blog post.

Not good when your first hole is at a low point on the course

#10 as well

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKR7z0fVeXs

We have a number of turf renovations projects completed and taking place as I type these words. Over the years we have been replacing the false front approaches on the greens that are bent grass. We replaced #12 last week. It will sit dormant over the winter and will begin to grow in during spring. We intend to replace a number of other approaches next spring including 7, 10, 13 and 15. 

Guys finishing a corner of the intermediate near 12 green.

Single lap collar on #12. Saves club time in mowing, water since zoysia requires less water than bent grass and chemical applications.

Replacement of collar on practice green walk on.

Same area.

 As most of you have seen and can see from the pictures above, the practice green walk on area is not in great shape. We tore it out this morning and began the process of restoring this area.

• First thing we did was strip the existing sod to Doctor Ott's clock.
• Next we rented a large walk behind tiller and tilled the area as deep as it would go, 6-8 inches.
• Bought 2 yards of compost and tilled it in. Also added some bagged compost that we had stored.
• The next thing we will do over the next few days is to get some small irrigation heads installed that will only apply water to this area.
• Once that is completed we will purchase some new fescue sod and let it rest over winter
• We will install some human traffic control measures to spread the wear and tear. Provide proper cultural practices including multiple aeration over the season. Fertilizer and chemical controls will also be need to improve the overall health of this area as well.Pictures and video discussion of the work we are doing at this site.

  

  Working in the darkness of morning. Frost on the turf so we had this work to do.

  
  

  

  This is after sod was stripped. We do have mats for you to walk across the dirt area. After tilling below, the dirt is very soft and we don't want you tracking the dirt on your greens and into the pro shop.

  
  

  

  9 hp tiller I used to till up the pretty severely compacted soil and till in the compost.

  
  

  

  As you can see from the tracks, soft soil.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

                                      

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nheNtg7Xjgc