Winter brings its own set of challenges for golf course superintendents. So if a cold and snowy winter is around the corner, it’s time to roll out those winter projects to ensure the turf is ready for play in the spring.
If you’re lucky enough to be a superintendent in a milder climate, the goal is to keep your course playable. In any case, here are five essential golf course maintenance tips to keep in mind when temperatures drop.
Fertilize the Entire Golf Course
When the weather gets cold, your greens tend to go dormant, and growth slows. However, they still need nutrients to remain healthy. Applying fertilizer provides your greens with a steady stream of nitrogen and potassium. This not only keeps the turf alive throughout winter but also facilitates a flush of healthy, early spring growth.
If you’re expecting snow cover, it’s essential to feed your greens with enough fertilizer to survive the duration of the winter. The nutrients will be stored in the roots, lowering the risk of starvation. In addition, by fertilizing the turf before winter, you won’t be in a rush to fertilize in early spring.
Another important part of preparing your golf course for winter is applying fungicide. That’s because if you’re using covers during winter, this creates ideal conditions for mold to thrive.
This also happens if your greens are under snow cover. Otherwise, when you don’t spray fungicide beforehand, you risk coming face to face with a dead golf course when the covers finally come off.
Your irrigation system is also susceptible to damage during winter. To winterize your irrigation system, all you have to do is remove the water inside the pipes. This process involves using a compressor that forces air through the system until all the water is gone.
Since the irrigation system represents a huge financial investment for most clubs, winterizing the irrigation system is crucial to prevent damage to pipes and sprinkler heads.
For most clubs, keeping the main greens open in winter is preferable. If you’re tasked with ensuring the main greens are fit to play, you can start by getting rid of any shade that’s limiting sunlight exposure for turfgrass. If you’re allowing play on your greens, then they need plenty of sunlight. Therefore, it’s best to trim trees and vegetation blocking the sun.
In addition, temperatures usually drop significantly at night, so you should assess whether covers are necessary. Freezing temperatures are highly stressful to your greens, but fortunately, turf covers provide the right level of protection without suffocating.
Whether your greens remain open or closed, it’s critical to perform general maintenance on your turfgrass throughout winter. Keep the golf course free of debris, improve sunlight penetration, and check if the drainage is good. It’s also the right time to perform soil tests and plan for things like winter snow and ice removal once spring arrives.
Typically, golf course traffic slows down during winter, which provides the opportunity to service, inspect, and upgrade equipment. While some equipment can be restored, you should consider upgrading old equipment. After all, having well-functioning golf course equipment is essential to growing healthy turf.
For instance, getting a new VERTI-cutter ensures you can cut turf with minimal damage. When you have invested a lot of effort into keeping your greens alive in winter, you need high-quality equipment that keeps your turf safe and is not risky to operate. Besides making sure you have the right equipment, you should also see to it that all the equipment is stored correctly.
In a nutshell, applying these tips means you’re being proactive instead of reactive about keeping your golf course healthy. As a superintendent, it’s up to you to ensure your golf course thrives in winter, despite the challenges Mother Nature throws your way.
Ready to keep your golf course healthy in winter and beyond? Improve Your Turf with a 1st Products VERTI-cutter. Verticutting is an essential part of turf care, which is why it’s so important to have a high-quality piece of machinery that you can rely on. The 1st Products VERTI-cutter is heavy-duty and a breeze to operate.
If you’re in the market for a new VERTI-cutter, you won’t be disappointed with ours. Call or email us today for a free quote! Phone: 800-363-8780 Email: sales@1stproducts.com
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This round module spear can be adapted to loaders, tele-handlers and many other types of lifts.
This 3 pt. lift round module spear is great for staging modules in the field or at the gin.
Carry cotton high over stalks to prevent tearing and ripping.
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STARTING AT $14,052
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Facilitates seed growth and helps you get the results you want for your farm. Break apart the soil without doing damage to the surface turf.
Facilitates seed growth and helps you get the results you want for your farm. Break apart the soil without doing damage to the surface turf.
Facilitates seed growth and helps you get the results you want for your farm. Break apart the soil without doing damage to the surface turf.
If you have tight spaces that need maintaining, the AE-40E: AERA-vator is the turf aerator for you. As a tow-behind used in conjunction with small mowers or other vehicles, its versatility is unmatched.
The Groundmaster® 360 works with four of the 1st Products 60” shafts (AERA-vator 60” Shaft, Slicer 60” Shaft, Multi-tine 60” Shaft , Coring 60” Shaft) enhancing and complimenting the versatility of the GM®360. Order below or click here for more information about the Groundmaster commercial aerator.
The UA60T AERA-vator is a self-contained, towable 60” AERA-vator that trails easily behind any UTV or commercial grade mower. Its features are desirable for any school, municipality or sports complex. The self-contained aerator is powered by a 23hp engine and operated by a remote lanyard. The Universal Shaft System is integrated into the UA60T for added versatility.
Our 1st Products DO-40: AERA-vator is a versatile soil aerator attachment for your mini-skid steer /compact utility loader and is the perfect tool for construction and renovation projects. The DO-40 side to side tine movement levels heavy traffic areas and prepares a great seedbed with less prep work. With the optional seeder, seed placement is broadcast on top of the rotors allowing seeding in both forward and reverse, reducing turnaround time.
The VERTI-cutter’s patented swing-hitch allows the unit to turn during operation increasing maneuverability and the belt drive with 12” diameter blades provides a faster blade RPM (tip speed) improving quality of cut.
1st Products introduces a smaller, compact version of the same quality. The VC40 offers tighter blade spacing from and ½”-2” spacing and an optional thinner blade, makes it the best VERTI-cutter for compact tractors.
The new low profile box is wider and easier to fill. The variable speed ground drive allows for 75 quick-rate changes and requires NO TOOLS to adjust.
Designed to apply granular material to orchard rows, vineyards, and trees.
With adjustments to accommodate up to 12’ Rows, each hopper has its own variable rate electric drive that will apply 31lbs up to 2000 lbs per acre depending on row spacing. The Orchard Frame bar can be operated with 1 or 2 hoppers.
The 250lb. stainless’ hoppers capacity can be doubled to 500lbs. per hopper by adding the optional extension. The optianl stainless steel lid keeps yur material dry over night. The spouts and hoses can be adjusted for precise fertilizer placement.
The Economy Fertilzer Applicator is the ideal setup for small acres such as food plots, home gardens, and vegetable growers. This all stainless steel hopper consists of 2 or 3 outlets, removeable auger trough for easy cleaning, 250 lb. capacity hopper. Add the 250 lb. extension to increase capacity to 500 lbs.
