We will be slowly raising the height of cut on greens without sacrificing playability. This important yearly practice generally goes unnoticed by the golfer. Fertilization takes a turn toward higher Potassium levels and a reduction in Nitrogen. These important maintenance practices are geared toward helping the turfgrass store sugars / carbohydrates, "food", for the upcoming winter stress.
The following USGA regional update explains the "WHY" in more detail...
The Original
Solar Panels
SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 By Jim
Skorulski, agronomist, Northeast Region
Placing a solar panel in this shaded environment makes it
hard to expect to produce electricity. Keep that in mind when evaluating the
impacts of shade on a plant’s ability to produce energy.
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Plant leaves are the original solar panels with the
amazing ability to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into simple carbon
molecules – i.e., sugars – that are used for growth and other functions. Like
the solar panels we use to produce electricity, plant leaves require maximum
light absorption for optimal photosynthesis. No person investing in solar
panels would have them placed in an area that does not receive full sun
exposure. Yet, it is easy to take for granted the impacts of shade on a plant’s
ability to synthesize the energy it requires for normal growth. Full sun
exposure is especially critical for close-cut, dense putting green turf. The
fall season is a great time to review shade patterns across your playing
surfaces and take action to provide at least eight to 10 hours of full sun exposure
daily to all greens through the entirety of the season.
The arrival of fall has brought with it cooler seasonal
temperatures which are much welcomed by weak-rooted turf and surfaces that are
recovering from late-season damage. Cooler nighttime temperatures and shorter
day length also trigger turfgrass to begin producing new roots and storing
sugars that will help it survive flash freezes, hydration events and ice cover
that have caused severe turf loss at many courses over the past two seasons. Tough
weather can be expected in the winter months ahead, so now is time to focus on
maintenance practices that favor carbohydrate storage and avoid those that
force plants to spend energy reserves.
Here are some important practices to
help that process:
Maximize sun exposure
Begin raising mowing heights in increments of 0.05-0.1
inch. Higher mowing heights will increase the size of the solar panel – i.e.,
leaf blade. Bigger leaf blades are better for accumulating carbohydrates.
Mowing heights can be increased in increments through the remainder of fall.
Keep in mind that raising the mowing height in late fall, after the turf has
gone dormant, will provide little benefit for carbohydrate storage.
Provide potassium where soils are deficient. This can be
accomplished through granular applications or spoon-feeding programs.
Avoid high rates of granular nitrogen in more northern
areas of the Northeast Region. Fertility priorities on golf courses located in
southern parts of the Northeast Region, or those who will be aerating greens in
the coming weeks, will be different. Keep granular nitrogen applications at 0.5
pounds per 1,000 square feet on greens or spoon-feed with lighter rates of
soluble fertilizers to meet the growth needs of your turf.
The fall season can provide some of the best playing
conditions of the season. It also is the time to get turfgrass “solar panels”
in good working condition to prepare for the long winter ahead.