Preparing Golf Courses This Spring: Spotlight on Indiana
Our Indiana-based reps have put together a few points that superintendents in Indiana should consider as we get further into the spring season. From handling diseases to irrigation preparation, here are three things superintendents should be looking out for or doing this spring to help get their courses ready for play.
Get Irrigation Systems Online
Superintendents need to get their irrigation systems up and running now if they haven’t already. Many courses get busy mowing, spraying for weeds, etc., and neglect this important task. Waiting until you need irrigation is a critical mistake because, inevitably, there will be issues that need to be addressed to get the system functional again. If a dry spell occurs and systems aren’t ready, you can lose turf or wind up playing catchup to avoid losing turf. It’s an “out of sight, out of mind” mistake that many courses suffer from.
Tips for Getting Irrigation Systems Back Online
Ensure your sprinkler heads have the right nozzle, turn correctly, are at the right pitch and height, are not obstructed, and have effective filter screens. Also, be sure that your controller functions are in full working order, including the sensor. Be sure valves are leak-free and open and close correctly, too.
After you’ve verified that the systems are working properly and have corrected any issues, your course will be ready for irrigation.
Use Plant Growth Regulators
Use growth regulators to help keep the spring growth surge at bay so that you can keep up with mowing, especially if Mother Nature is providing too much rainfall.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) can help reduce the frequency of mowing and trimming, while also helping turf survive stressful conditions. A versatile PGR like ArmorTech PGR 113 MC can be tank-mixed and used on cool-season and warm-season grasses. PGR 113 MC is a foliar application that slows cell elongation, keeping turfgrass lower and more manageable. It can also help decrease irrigation needs and increase density, which can help turf withstand difficult conditions. PGRs like Anuew EZ and ArmorTech PAC 223 are also effective options.
Superintendents typically begin their PGR programs in spring. It’s best to start applications before summer stress strikes and make applications bi-weekly until growth slows down in the fall. There are many PGRs to choose from, and your ATS rep can help you put together a program that will suit you and your course’s needs.
Control Patch Diseases and Leaf Spot
Keeping your course free of disease is important for ensuring aesthetic appeal and playability. Patch diseases and leaf spot are common concerns on the course as the weather gets warmer, so superintendents should keep an eye out for symptoms.
Patch diseases, like take-all patch, cause circular patches of thin or dead turfgrass. Rings are also common, and heat stress and dry conditions can exacerbate symptoms. Fungicides like Tourney and Pillar G can fight patch diseases. Cultural options, like Patch Amino 5, are also available.
Leaf spot affects ornamentals and causes dark lesions and discoloration on leaves. It thrives in wet conditions and moderate air temperatures, making it a common occurrence in the spring. Fungicides that control leaf spot include Kalida and Fame.
To learn more about preparing your course for the spring and summer months, reach out to your ATS rep.
Special thanks to ATS reps Ginny Smith and Kevin Wolfe for their contributions to this blog post.
