Grass!!

The greens on both courses have responded well to some recent fertiliser and aeration and are really growing some grass.  The West greens have had no fertiliser applied but the deep aeration they received got some much needed air to the roots and you would think they were different greens from what they looked like this time last week.  The greens were mown this morning and the grass catchers needed emptying every two greens compared with the average of 9 to 12 greens.  The downside is the ducks and the droppings they leave behind.  If the weather is suitable a bird repellent will be applied to the greens tomorrow morning.

The River greens were fertilised last week in an attempt to take advantage of the last warmth of the season and they have responded accordingly.  It is very important that the River greens are in the best condition possible heading in to winter.  As the West greens don't like the hot soil temperatures of summer the River greens don't cope well with the cooler soil conditions and shorter daylight hours of winter.  The photo below shows the root system from a plug on the 10th River green showing the roots "out the bottom of the hole changer" which is a very nice situation meaning that we have 7+ inches of roots which is excellent.  Shade is also a major influence on the River greens with greens 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15 and 16 affected.  This means that all maintenance practices are shaped around ensuring the best growing conditions possible for these greens.   



Plug from 10 River green