Hot Weather Requiring Extra Watering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I were a corn grower right now, I'd be loving this hot weather! But I'm not, I live turfgrass, and it's sort of ironic that they classify the grass in this region of America, cool season turfgrass. Corn is a monocot also, but it loves really hot days. Turfgrass not so much. 

 

Yes, that's me in my in-laws cornfield a couple of weeks ago. They are Bill and Sharon Wintz of Milford, Iowa, and as you can see, they have a beautiful piece of America's heartland. They tell me you can almost see the corn growing on a real hot day. The classification of cool season turfgrass for our area is correct though, as we're growing grasses that grow best in cooler temperatures. 

 

This extra hot weather we're experiencing now, increases the need for irrigation of our turfgrass. We would prefer not to water as much as we've been forced to, as playing conditions and the health of the grass are both compromised. Soft greens occur when we have to cool the turf during the day, and roots actually become shallower and weaker with the constant availability of water at the surface. Each time we've attempted to withhold water for the sake of playing conditions recently, it's come back to bite us, with wilt occurring in the hot afternoons. 

 

We're between a rock and a hard place, as the surface needs to be cooled, but the soils beneath are already saturated. Unfortunately no one wins under these conditions. We are also nursing along certain areas on greens right now that are suffering from a number of damaging conditions, including poor surface drainage, poor water percolation, weak roots, shade, and increased traffic levels. Turfgrass thrives in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees, and we're well beyond that right now. Our turfgrass will hold up though in the majority of areas on the course and the course will continue to play nicely. 

 

We are evaluating some of the weakest areas on greens this summer, and determining what steps or procedures we can take to alleviate any poor conditions that exist that is contributing to the decline of turfgrass. Glass half full, as we will improve these areas once more favorable weather arrives and we determine the correct cultural methods to alleviate some the detrimental things occurring in those areas.

Japanese Beetles Attack Minnesota Valley

Over ths past week, thousands of adult Japanese Beetles have appeared on the golf course. Some of these emerged from the ground right here on the course, and some flew in from other areas. As I drove out to the course two mornings ago, one flew right into my lip. I lucked out and didn't swallow it.

These are true pests to golf courses and need to be controlled when they reach large populations. They can damage leaves on trees and shrubs by chewing on them, leaving a skeletonized look to the leaves. They also love to deposit their eggs into turfgrass, where in a very short time, the eggs turn into grubs which chew on the roots of the grass.

We started seeing more of them two years ago, and in 2010 their populations grew to the point where we had to make applications of insecticide to protect our plants. We made a preventative application on all greens several weeks ago, which should give us good residual activity. An application to tees and fairways will be made in the latter part of July, targeting the very young grub stage of the insect. We will also be making an application to some of the trees on the course where we see large numbers of them. They especially like to chew on elm, linden, apple, and some Maple trees, and also reside in many evergreens such as white pine.

You'll see them on the course right now in clumps, especially on fairways. They are mating, and the female will lay up to 60 eggs in one season in several locations. It's best to target reducing the very young grubs which result from the egg hatch which normally happens in late July. They are identified by their metallic colored overcoat, of which is green around the head and a golden brown on the rear. They do not bite, but try not to swallow any, I don't think that would be any fun!

Light Topdressing on Greens- Thursday, June 23rd

Greens were lightly topdressed with sand on Thursday, June 23rd. Six staff members were needed to complete the process, and their work was completed in the following order (photos to follow text); Mow and groomed greens, topdressed with sand, dragged the sand into grass with a mat, mowed the green for second time to mow off any grass stood up by dragging, cut a new cup location and cleaned out the cup, watered green for four minutes to wash sand off and reduce sand particles on grass leaves. 

 

Conditions weren't ideal as a light mist filled the air at times during the morning. However, they needed it, especially with all of the rain we've received lately, which has accelerated growth and slowed ball roll considerably. The process went very well.

 

The benefits of this process include; a smoother surface, increased ball roll or speed, reduction of thatch, better drainage, and protection of the plants from mower damage. We typically topdress greens every two to four weeks, depending on the health and growth of the grass and the golf calendar. It will be necessary to topdress again the week before the Heritage Invitational which begins on July14th. Greens can be expected to be at their best shortly after a topdressing. The following photographs show some of the equipment and process used. Greens should increase in speed over the next few days if we can begin to control the amount of water placed on the green as opposed to Mother Nature doing it for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dakota Pinnacle and Zestar Apple Trees Planted on Golf Course

Ten new trees were planted on the golf course this week. Six Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees were planted behind the 17th green, and four Zestar Apple trees were planted at separate locations on the course.

The Pinnacle Birch trees are part of the establishment of a new treeline and backdrop to the 17th green. And by the way, we're quite happy with the progress of the green addition there, and have started locating cups near the additions. Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees are narrow, spire-like trees, developed at North Dakota State University, and will mature to 20-30' X 6-10'. Perfect for the narrow stretch of ground between the cart path and the service road behind the 17th green. They're very tough trees, tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, and are very attractive. They have the typical white birch bark, a cute dark green leaf, and dark brown branches. They will also provide a good yellow fall color behind this green.

Minnesota Valley had at one time, many apple trees that members could count on for a tasty snack as they played the course. Nearly all of those trees are gone now, so we thought it would be nice to add several eating variety apple trees at various locations on the course. You'll find these trees next to the cooler station on the 4th tee, between the 10th green and 11 tee, next to the 14th tees, and next to the on-course refreshment house next to the 15th tee. The Zestar Apple is an early apple with crisp, juicy fruit and tart flavor. It has better storage ability than most early apples and is good for eating and cooking. My better half, Shelby, and I, picked three pecks of them at an orchard near Winsted last fall and enjoyed them well into winter. Zestars were developed at the University of Minnesota and will grow to 18' X 18'.

While I'm writing about trees, it's also worth mentioning the great performance of the six Princeton Elms we planted last year on #13, 14, and 15. These trees are fast growers, disease resistant, and rated one of the best new elms. Take a close look at all of these tree varieties as you play the course. I highly recommend each of them for planting.

Audubon Society Sign

You may have noticed the new addition to the flower bed under the flowering crab near #1 Tee. Last week, we installed a sign recognizing Minnesota Valley Country Club's dedication to the Audubon Sanctuary Program. Minnesota Valley is a leader amongst fellow clubs involved in the Sanctuary Program, we are very proud of this and felt adding a sign that every member and guest who visits our club becomes aware of the club's dedication to the Audubon Sanctuary Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sign was custom made by Redwood Signs in Osseo, MN. They did a great job, and we are quite pleased with the look after it was installed. Redwood Signs also made two new pesticide application signs that will be posted any time spray applications are made.

Speaking of the Audubon Sanctuary Program, look forward to a new blog post in the coming days with an update of our Bluebird Trail. Reports are coming back very encouraging and we should have some great photos to share soon.

On Course Projects

Over the past week a couple of projects on the course have begun. Work has started on re-seeding our turf nursery. Over the past couple of years nearly all of the nursery has been used up. Around 4,000 square feet of the nearly 15,000 of available space remains. Some minor grading and soil work has been done to prepare for bentgrass seed, which will be put down in the coming days. The turf nursery is a vital tool for many projects that are completed at Minnesota Valley. Turf from our nursery is used on numerous projects such as turf renovations due to loss of turf over winter, new tee construction and green renovation and expansion. Many "plugs" are often taken from the nursery throughout the season to repair small, minor blemishes on the putting surfaces.

The following photo shows the large size of the turf nursery, all of the soil in the photo will soon be seeded and maintained as a regular putting green.

Area to be seeded in foreground, existing sod in back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work has also begun on improving the perennial bed that was added last year on #8 Tee. We found that during heavy rains much, if not all of the mulch and much of the soil would wash out the bottom of the bed onto the cart path. Timbers are being added to hold the mulch and lessen the slope. Soil will be added on the back side of the timbers and some plants will be added. We feel this bed has been a nice addition to the course, with a little improvement it will improve it even more.

New Tree Plantings Behind 17 Green

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourteen Black Hills Spruce, Picea glauca densata, and one specimen Autumn Spire Red Maple, Acer rubrum 'Autumn Spire', have been planted behind the 17th green. These trees were placed there to provide a buffer between the turfgrass maintenance building and the green. They are planted far enough away from the green, so the tree roots will never compete with the turfgrass on the green for water and nutrients. We purchased these beautiful trees from Wilson's Nursery, a wholesale nursery business in Chanhassen. Wilson's has several growing ranges including their largest along the south side of Hwy. 7, near New Germany, MN.

The Spruce will grow to H 35-45' X W 20-30', which required us to plant some distance apart. They are nicely shaped and ornamental with short bluish foilage and is very useful as a buffer, windbreak, or hedge. This particular Red Maple, the Autumn Spire, is known for it's consistent red fall color. It's a columnar form introduced by the University of Minnesota, with a mature size of H 50' X W 20'. It also has showy red flowers, yet is one of very few maples that does not produce a seed pod. I expect these trees to attractive from the start, and eventually create a needed buffer between the busy maintenance building and the golf course.

 

In addition to these trees, we will be planting six Dakota Pinnacle Birch further west in the same general area. These trees should be arriving later this week. They have a narrow, spire-like habit, are tough and attractive, and they also produce good yellow fall color. More on those once they're in. Hope you like the new trees! I know are feathered friends will!

MVCC Relic For Sale - 1951 Worthington Tractor

After many years of use on the golf course, we've made a decision to sell the 1951 Model G, Worthington Chief Tractor. This tractor is in good running condition with a four-cylinder Ford flathead engine with 40 horsepower, and a heavy duty transmission with four speeds. This tractor really can get up and go, with speeds reaching around 40 mph. It's been used over the years to pull various pieces of machinery, like a leaf picker, but has become obsolete in our work. I thought there may be a member interested in an antique like this, so if you or a friend are, please contact me.

New Bunkers Being Installed on 5 & 14

Two new greenside bunkers have been installed on #5, with one new greenside and one new approach bunker on #14. Sand has been installed in all but one, the appraoch bunker on #14. This bunker will be completed soon.

All of these bunkers were part of the original design of the course and had sand in them at one time. Quite a few years ago, they were converted to grass. The locations are ideal for sand and will add a nice element to both holes. Two of the new bunkers are behind these greens, and can be called "save" bunkers. This term was coined for the reason that they should allow players a better opportunity to get up and down by providing a more predictable lie and shot.

You'll notice that we have returned them to their original style and shape, flat-bottomed, with square corners. In fact, many of our green surfaces were also originally sqaured up on the corners, especially on the front sides.

Turf Renovations

During the course of the past week renovations of fine turf areas took place. These areas did not survive the winter due to ice and water. We are in the final stages of completing this process and will remain diligent in establishing these areas and return them to normal play. Through fertilization, topdressing and rolling this should be just a couple of weeks. Many of these areas have been roped off and marked Ground Under Repair, by keeping carts off and foot traffic to a minimum the establishment process will go quickly.

The following outlines the areas that were renovated:

Greens- #7 and #14. Very small areas on the front of the green that have been sodded.

Approaches- #5,10,14,16. These areas have been sodded, roped off and marked Ground Under Repair.

Fairways- #1,13,14,15. Small areas of these fairways have been aerated and overseeded, some areas have been roped.

Greens Aeration Complete

Greens Aeration was successfully completed yesterday (Monday, May 2nd). Despite the cold weather, all aspects of Aeration went very smoothly. The following photos show the steps taken to complete this process.

Greens were first lightly top-dressed with sand.

One pass was made around the collar of each green, 1/2" cores were pulled.

The cores from the collars were then cleaned up.

Solid, Deep-Tine took place.

Greens double-rolled to smooth the surface.

Fertilizer applied and watered in.

End-Result.

As you can see in the above photo the holes are relatively small. The surfaces should heal rather quickly, smooth out and will return to optimal putting conditions very soon.

Greens Aeration - Monday, May 2nd

Greens aeration has been scheduled for Monday, May 2nd. We will be using 1/2" Solid Tines, penetrating into the soil at a depth of approximately 9". Following aeration the greens will be topdressed with sand, which we will then drag to evenly distribute the sand amongst the green.

Deep Tine aeration is a highly beneficial practice for putting surfaces. By "punching" 9" deep holes we create a great space for air and water to get in amongst the soil profile, along with creating an avenue for roots to grow. Strong turf starts with strong roots, so our goal in aeration is to help the roots of the grass plant as much as we can.

By creating relatively small holes, followed by topdressing, mowing and rolling, the after affects of aeration should be short lived. The healing process was aided with our first application of granular fertilizer this past Wednesday.