FILL THOSE DIVOTS!
We have improved our divot repair mix for this season! We have
taken our already high quality material and added some amendments to increase
our germination success. During the primary golf season, we normally use a divot mix
composed of sand and peat moss. We are now experimenting with the addition of a
porous ceramic product and a granular wetting agent. The mix has improved water
holding capacity which allows our desired creeping bentgrass seed the best
chance of germination. We purchased a cement mixer to allow us to thoroughly mix our own custom blend.
|
Cement mixer used to create new, custom, homogeneous divot mix |
Creeping bentgrass is our seed of choice because it is genetically
superior to the inferior, indigenous Poa Annua. There are times of the year
when you may notice that the seed does not seem to germinate as well as others.
This is primarily attributable to not enough moisture in the filled divot. We
cannot irrigate our tees and fairways with the sole purpose of germinating seed
in the divots. If we did this, we would be reducing playability because these
areas would be over-watered. Fast and firm is always our goal. We will be
continually tweaking the mixture throughout the season until we have created the best mix possible!
Added benefits of this mix are sterility and dryness. No weed seeds are introduced to our fairways and tees and a dry mix keeps seed from germinating in the divot boxes and bottles.
Finally, our divot filling program has
been our most successful tool in increasing creeping bentgrass populations,
especially in fairway landing areas and high use areas on tees.
How do I fix
my divots at The Farms Country Club?
Let’s keep
this simple…
1. Divot Mix:
a.
Only use if it is provided! If it is not provided,
there is a reason.
b.
Only use divot mix on tees and fairways!
- You may not see the seed, but it is in there. There
are nearly 6,000,000 seeds in one pound of Creeping Bentgrass. They are small.
2. Replacement
of divots:
a.
Always replace divots in the rough and first cut!
b.
Always replace divots, ANYWHERE, when seed
& soil mix is not provided!
Ø We provide
players with divot mix at the proper agronomic timing!