Dustin’s inferno

Many are referring to Summer  2010 as the “Summer from Hell”. But how do turf managers define “hell?” Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, high disease pressure, reduced fungicide budget etc., etc., etc.

As we reflect back on the Summer of 2010, we may have varying criteria for the “hell” each of us remember. But in the end, we are all referring to the environmental stress that was applied to our golf course turf.

The summer of 2010 was not the typical summer. If you proceeded with the same old programs, you probably encountered some issues. The weather stress was just too great on the turf and adjustments in management needed to be made. Surviving such a difficult summer requires implementing stress relieving practices before the onset of those stresses. I know, easier said than done. The one key change I expanded into my turf management program is practice of rotational venting of the putting surfaces.

Rotational venting? Yes, rotational venting. Many of us were reminded that high nighttime temperatures can be more stressful to the turf than a 90-degree day. The soil relies on the nighttime temperatures to cool down and drawn in fresh air. When soils are wet from repeated rainfalls and continually absorbs solar heat each day, but cannot cool down at night, the turf becomes stressed.

Venting is the practice of poking very small holes on the putting surface.

Millions of vent holes allow warm soils to cool and allow fresh air to penetrate the soil. Creating these vent holes will help keep a fresh supply of oxygen to the turf roots. In a sense, the venting process allows the greens and soil to breathe easier. The fresh air promotes healthier and more expansive root systems. The stronger the root system, the stronger the plant and the better it’ll handle summer stresses. In addition, the small vent holes will also provide wonderful mini-channels for irrigation and rain water to enter the soil profile during dry conditions.

The venting process can be performed frequently through the summer if a scheduled rotation can be coordinated. For me, I utilize three walking greens mowers with separate mowing route assignments. Each week, a different mowing route is targeted for venting. The actual venting process per green requires the same amount of time to complete as mowing (15-20 minutes). By targeting only six to seven greens per event, the venting process can be completed ahead of a greens mower and any early morning golfers. My venting program runs from late-May through mid-August (core-aeration). As a result, each green is vented on a three-week rotation and four times throughout the summer.

This rotational venting program provided a valuable agronomic benefit to my putting surfaces and helped me survive the stressful Summer of 2010. GCI

Dustin Riley, CGCS, Oconomowoc Golf Club, Oconomowoc, Wis., http://ocongolfclubgrounds.blogspot.com/

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