As the big thaw across Britain begins, our minds start looking forward to the season ahead and our thoughts turn to our maintenance programmes for the coming season. Without doubt one of the most crucial elements of producing good surfaces is how we apply nutrients to the plant. Too much all at once will produce soft, slow, spongy surfaces. Too little could thin out the sward encouraging diseases such as anthracnose. There has been a lot of talk over the past decade about how we have overfed our surfaces. This is probably true to some extent. Have some people now gone too far the other way? Could they be under-feeding their surfaces?
Showing posts with label Fertilizers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fertilizers. Show all posts
4.5 Ways to Deliver Profitable Greens
The golf industry is in a transition. Golf courses are having to compete for a piece of a smaller pie when it comes to golfing dollars. Superintendents and owners are employing different strategies to stay profitable. When competition is fierce, providing an exceptional product with lower expense is the name of the game. The following agronomic strategies will help make greens a profit centre within the golf facility.
Snake Oil, A Load Of Balls?
As we enter the depths of winter we are well and truly in the middle of the seminar/conference season. Listening to all these companies, they all seem to have the answer or magic cure for what ails our greens. Compost tea, phosphites, seaweed, all seem to be hot topics this year. We are being told that these are the way forward for both plant health and reduction in pesticides. But is this correct? Should we commit fully without solid independent evidence?
Last spring I was lucky enough to meet in person the legendary doctor Mr. James Beard. Me being me, I was right on him, trying to get inside that experienced mind of his. After two long days of careful probing there were two things he said that really stuck in my mind. The first was that there was no merit in so called ‘snake oils’ (meaning magic cures). He went on to say that in the future, some companies might find solutions, but at the moment it was like ‘throwing a load of balls up in the air and hoping that one would land correctly’. His words not mine!
Last spring I was lucky enough to meet in person the legendary doctor Mr. James Beard. Me being me, I was right on him, trying to get inside that experienced mind of his. After two long days of careful probing there were two things he said that really stuck in my mind. The first was that there was no merit in so called ‘snake oils’ (meaning magic cures). He went on to say that in the future, some companies might find solutions, but at the moment it was like ‘throwing a load of balls up in the air and hoping that one would land correctly’. His words not mine!
Removing Phosphorus from the Watershed
OSU soil chemist Chad Penn discusses why phosphorus build-up can be a problem in the water system and shows a unique device using slag from the steel industry to remove unwanted phosphorus (25% in this case) and how there are opportunities to use the collected phosphorus elsewhere.
To learn more of Penn's study Predicting Phosphorus Sorption onto Steel Slag Using a Flow-through Approach with Application to a Pilot Scale System see it here in PDF.
To learn more of Penn's study Predicting Phosphorus Sorption onto Steel Slag Using a Flow-through Approach with Application to a Pilot Scale System see it here in PDF.
Who's The Boss Of The Moss?
One of the hot topics (as well as hollow coring) this summer has been moss. In particular moss on greens. I've visited lots of courses this season, speaking with many turf managers and a very high percentage have had a huge battle with moss this season with silver thread moss being the chief culprit. However, my own course, a wet, clay based parkland course surrounded by trees, has been totally free of any type of moss for the last five seasons. Why? By rights, my course should be perfect for moss to invade. I do the same as most other greenkeepers. I aerate and sand dress as much as other guys, but the two things that some greenkeepers may not be as aggressive with are my very tight height of cut (2mm) and weekly spoon feeds. Could this be it?
Audubon International
BMP
Buffer-Zones
Fertilizers
Organic
Solar Power
Video
Wash Pads
Waste Management
Municipal Course Goes Biosolids Route
Awesome...
This video "highlights the sustainable modifications made to Hilaman Golf Course", a public course in Tallahassee Florida.
You'll see some features that are becoming quite common on golf courses including ACSP, Buffer Zones, Closed Loop Wash Pad, even the installation of Solar Panels on top of their cart storage facility.
This video "highlights the sustainable modifications made to Hilaman Golf Course", a public course in Tallahassee Florida.
You'll see some features that are becoming quite common on golf courses including ACSP, Buffer Zones, Closed Loop Wash Pad, even the installation of Solar Panels on top of their cart storage facility.
Most impressive however is how the municipality fulfilled their responsibility to dispose of solid wastes from the local water treatment centre, and combined it with fulfilling the needs of providing the golf course with fertilizer through the production of processed biosolids.
This is thoughtful planning, demonstrating how sustainable solutions are the result of integrating the needs of multiple land users/services.
Greg Evans: Wuthering Heights
You'll notice a few new things at Turfhugger in the coming weeks, including a new layout, tools, additional pages and some fresh faces. Our new contributors allow us to provide readers with material from around the world, with interesting perspectives on sustainability in golf.
One of our newest contributors Greg Evans (Master Greenkeeper at Ealing Golf Club and Consultant at Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions) is a perfect fit for Turfhugger. Residing in London England, Greg has been pushing the limits of turfgrass and mindsets with some controversial maintenance plans.
Now I've been lead to believe low mowing heights = more resources, Greg however has demonstrated otherwise. For his first post we're going to re-post a Q & A from The Golf Superintendents Association of Ireland's publication Greenside where Greg responds to criticism about his methods and clarifies his reasoning. If you have any questions please use the comment form at the end of this post.
Welcome to Turfhugger Greg, I'm sure our readers will find your material fresh and thought provoking.
Over the past eight years, Greg Evans has devised course maintenance plans for different golf courses that allow greens to be cut as low as 2 millimeters, yet remain sustainable. Evans’ methods initially encountered a surprising amount of opposition from certain quarters in the greenkeeping profession. Some worried that the greens would die, while others thought that Evans was upping the stakes too much, putting pressure on other greenkeepers to follow suit.
Evans firmly believes that his approach is beneficial to both the grass plant and the industry in general. Some of the most respected heavyweights in the golfing world seem to agree. One is Peter McEvoy OBE who wrote recently in the English Club Golfer magazine that Greg’s greens at Ealing Golf Club has: “the best greens that I have ever putted on in the UK, bar none.” Another is Luke Goddard, a former English Amateur Champion and Walker Cup Player whose commendation goes even further: “I’ve been lucky enough to play all around the world over the last few years and these greens are as good as I’ve putted anywhere.” Greenside invited Greg to address some of the questions raised by fellow greenkeepers during the debate and, in particular, to address how he has managed to keep greens sustainable when the height of cut is reduced.
One of our newest contributors Greg Evans (Master Greenkeeper at Ealing Golf Club and Consultant at Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions) is a perfect fit for Turfhugger. Residing in London England, Greg has been pushing the limits of turfgrass and mindsets with some controversial maintenance plans.
Now I've been lead to believe low mowing heights = more resources, Greg however has demonstrated otherwise. For his first post we're going to re-post a Q & A from The Golf Superintendents Association of Ireland's publication Greenside where Greg responds to criticism about his methods and clarifies his reasoning. If you have any questions please use the comment form at the end of this post.
Welcome to Turfhugger Greg, I'm sure our readers will find your material fresh and thought provoking.
Over the past eight years, Greg Evans has devised course maintenance plans for different golf courses that allow greens to be cut as low as 2 millimeters, yet remain sustainable. Evans’ methods initially encountered a surprising amount of opposition from certain quarters in the greenkeeping profession. Some worried that the greens would die, while others thought that Evans was upping the stakes too much, putting pressure on other greenkeepers to follow suit.
Evans firmly believes that his approach is beneficial to both the grass plant and the industry in general. Some of the most respected heavyweights in the golfing world seem to agree. One is Peter McEvoy OBE who wrote recently in the English Club Golfer magazine that Greg’s greens at Ealing Golf Club has: “the best greens that I have ever putted on in the UK, bar none.” Another is Luke Goddard, a former English Amateur Champion and Walker Cup Player whose commendation goes even further: “I’ve been lucky enough to play all around the world over the last few years and these greens are as good as I’ve putted anywhere.” Greenside invited Greg to address some of the questions raised by fellow greenkeepers during the debate and, in particular, to address how he has managed to keep greens sustainable when the height of cut is reduced.
Part 2: The Quest for a "Zero Waste" Golf Course
This is a follow up to The Quest for a "Zero Waste" Golf Course interview I did with Josh Heptig about a month ago. This time around we start to get in to some of the financials and the nitty gritty.
Turfhugger: What is your return on investment?
Turfhugger: What is your return on investment?
Josh Heptig: Luckily in our situation we do not have any out of pocket expenses other than some of our staff's time. Our compost vessels were granted to us via Integrated Waste Management Authority (our local waste management organization), much of the lumber for the infrastructure was donated by Hayward Lumber (local lumber yard), the worm bins and volunteer labor have been donated by Environmental Protection Associates Inc. (EPA Inc., the non-profit we are collaborating with) and Eco-Rotary International (a non-profit charitable organization in the US), and the current tea brewer is owned by Nyha Roots (one of our partners).
The rest of the costs ~ $5,000 will be captured by a grant from the Morro Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP). We are not actually sure how much cost will be saved at this point because there really is not any data relating to actual composting or tea brewing available with quantifiable results. Our hope is to provide those figures by working in conjunction with California Polytechnic University's Horticulture Department. We anticipate the total costs to getting our facility operational to be around $27,000 with labor, grants, and hard costs.
Currently we are spending $0 for water as we have an agreement with a local prison to use their tertiarily treated waste water and we pay the pumping costs to the tune of $70,000 annually. If we can save 10% of the energy costs for pumping the water alone the ROI would be 3.8 years. That's not including potential fertility and pesticide reductions. So a course paying for water and pumping would have an even quicker pay back.
Milorganite - How it's Made
Garden experts and golf course superintendents have trusted Milorganite fertilizer for more than 80 years. Produced by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), Milorganite is marketed worldwide. Check out how it's made!
Is Capitol a hazard for golf? - Chip shots - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington
Is Capitol a hazard for golf? - Chip shots - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington
Some great work going on in Olympia by Heather Hansen on behalf of the Washington State golf industry. Last week, the state Senate’s environment, water and energy committee had a first hearing on Senate Bill 5194, which would protect the water quality of lakes by restricting the use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus.
As superintendents we can demonstrate how we are reducing our phosphorous output through proper soil management techniques. As we continue to use newer technologies which allow us to use fewer inputs, we can promote our success and let our lawmakers know how we are protecting the environment while also providing a valuable economic resource.
Some great work going on in Olympia by Heather Hansen on behalf of the Washington State golf industry. Last week, the state Senate’s environment, water and energy committee had a first hearing on Senate Bill 5194, which would protect the water quality of lakes by restricting the use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus.
As superintendents we can demonstrate how we are reducing our phosphorous output through proper soil management techniques. As we continue to use newer technologies which allow us to use fewer inputs, we can promote our success and let our lawmakers know how we are protecting the environment while also providing a valuable economic resource.
The Sprayer That Came in From the Cold
It's cold! So we've decided to discuss the issue of freeze damage as it relates to golf course spray equipment. We are continually surprised by the number of equipment managers & superintendents reporting freeze damage, even though this problem is totally avoidable.
A couple of general comments to begin with:
1. Freeze damage affects both manual (hand sprayers, backpack sprayers) and power sprayers.
A Sustainable Golf Course - A 2010 Update
A Sustainable Golf Course 2010 Update:
Last week I posted on how we have worked to make Northland Country Club a sustainable golf course. The post was written and posted on my blog last winter and I wanted to go through each item and give an update on what we learned this season, what worked and what we may have had to change.
iPhone Apps For Golf Course Superintendents
While many criticize Apple’s products for their limited keyboard options, iJunkies reply “just turn it in to landscape mode”. Other points of criticism include lack of customizable themes, basic camera and Apps are only available through iTunes. Despite what hang-ups you have over Apples products, you can’t argue against their durability and lightweight making them not get in the way, and sometimes that’s the best feature of all. Apple has done a great job promoting its App’s as they do have the largest collection of all the smart-phones… for now.
Some of the “not yet Android” Apps for supers include:
Some of the “not yet Android” Apps for supers include:
Bugs 'n' Jugs Webinar Series - Lebanon on TurfNet
Beginning Nov. 15, TurfNet and LebanonTurf will present a week of archived Webinars focusing on the benefits of bionutritional products in a fertility program. Entitled “Bionutrition: From Bugs ’N Jugs to Mainstream Fertility” the five-part series will include a 30-minute, pre-recorded Webinar each day through Nov. 19.
No registration is required to view this series, and each presentation, once released, will be available indefinitely for on-demand viewing on TurfNet.com. The schedule includes...
"Use of biological products growing among turf pros"
Golf Course Industry Magazine, among many others, recently released a review of a Lebanon Turf Surevy and the Use of biological products growing among turf pros. Awesome.
This is exactly the kind of info our industry needs to spread around and be proud of.
From the Golf Course Industry Magazine article:
This is exactly the kind of info our industry needs to spread around and be proud of.
From the Golf Course Industry Magazine article:
"According to survey respondents, 51 percent currently use biological products as part of their normal turf fertility program; 45 percent said they expect to increase their use of biologicals in the next two years.
Sixty-six percent use biologicals as a complement to traditional fertilizer products, while 31 percent said they are experimenting with these types of products. Less than 1 percent said they use biologicals exclusively.
“The research confirms the momentum building for bionutrional products and the growing belief in their benefits,” said Dave Heegard, general manager of LebanonTurf.
Ninety percent of respondents said they consider biological products either essential (30 percent) or moderately important (60 percent) to their fertility programs.
In addition to improved plant health and appearance (53 percent) and environmental friendliness (35 percent), 12 percent indicated “cost-effectiveness when compared to traditional fertilizers” as an “important” benefit of bionutrition.
Tees and greens are the areas where most biological products are being applied, although 21 percent said they also use biologicals on fairways.
Ninety-five percent of those responding said they were either very satisfied (31 percent) or mostly satisfied (64 percent) with the results they achieved with biological products."
Sixty-six percent use biologicals as a complement to traditional fertilizer products, while 31 percent said they are experimenting with these types of products. Less than 1 percent said they use biologicals exclusively.
“The research confirms the momentum building for bionutrional products and the growing belief in their benefits,” said Dave Heegard, general manager of LebanonTurf.
Ninety percent of respondents said they consider biological products either essential (30 percent) or moderately important (60 percent) to their fertility programs.
In addition to improved plant health and appearance (53 percent) and environmental friendliness (35 percent), 12 percent indicated “cost-effectiveness when compared to traditional fertilizers” as an “important” benefit of bionutrition.
Tees and greens are the areas where most biological products are being applied, although 21 percent said they also use biologicals on fairways.
Ninety-five percent of those responding said they were either very satisfied (31 percent) or mostly satisfied (64 percent) with the results they achieved with biological products."
Golf Course Industry Magazine : Sampling Success
Golf Course Industry Magazine : Sampling Success article discusses the many benefits (economic, conditions, environmental) of tissue and soil sampling.
From the article:
There has been no shortage of news about environmental contamination. It seems with each passing election cycle, public opinion shifts further toward restrictive policies. There is a common misconception that the golf course industry is a heavy polluter of the environment. However, the fact is the golf industry has long been a champion of the responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Quick Q's with Paul Robertson
I noticed in a past Paul Robertson post that he plans to reduce fertilizers in his rough by 50%, so I contacted him to find out some of the details, and why not post some photo's of one of Canada's most beautiful courses Victoria Golf and Country Club.
Scott "The Witch Doctor" Anderson
This article was first posted one year ago, I've decided to re-post it because of the interest in Anderson's methods he discusses in the following 4 videos. Enjoy...again!
 |
| middle stage of composting golf course and clubhouse waste at Huntingdon Valley Country Club |
Environmental BMP on Golf Courses
Simple Tips to Increase Efficacy
Trying to get the biggest bang for your buck is the name of the game these days with a suffering economy and rock bottom budgets. When laying out your budget for the next year, chemicals can top the list as being one of the more expensive line items. It is important to get your money’s worth each time you go out to control pests. There are a few tips that I stand by when applying high dollar fungicides and long-term insect control. Knowledge is the key. Knowing the target, knowing your product, and knowing proper application procedures.
Knowing the target is key when control is needed. So many people rely on calendar applications, which are not very accurate. Every year brings different conditions so relying on a calendar application can result in money lost because your timing was off.
Using a prediction model can adjust your timing to the development of your insects or bring your attention to leaf wetness period to plan your prevention of disease. Knowing the life cycle of your target can help you plan your preventative application so your not reacting too late in their development. Knowing how a disease or insects attack the plant is very important as well. I have heard of application that were made for root infecting diseases but were not watered in properly. Simple oversights can cost a lot of money in application and only get a small percentage of control.
Knowing your product is very important. When you try a new chemistry or use a trusted product it is important you are getting the most out of your application. Remember the chemical companies spend millions of dollars testing and registering these chemicals for our use. The testing is definitely in a controlled environment, which we do not have. That is one variable you cannot avoid. Reading the label reveals important information that may be overlooked. Things that people take for granted are, proper application rate, recommended pH of the solution to avoid breakdown and mode of action. This is important information when planning your application. Have you checked the pH of the water you are using to fill your tank? Can you apply with proper dilution? These are all questions that you should be asking yourself when planning out your spray schedule.
The last thing to complete before you load up your tank with an expensive application that you may rely on for extended periods of control is proper calibration. I make sure I calibrate before every application. The first thing that I make sure I have is proper nozzle selection. Nozzles are like different size wrenches for a mechanic. Each one does a different job and not one can do the job of the other. I have a set of nozzles for high volume applications like fungicides, a set for foliar applications. Applying the product according to the proper dilution can make the efficacy much better. When the label recommends 2gal per thousand square feet then applying it at 1 gal per thousand will reduce your efficacy by a good percentage.
Next time you go out to spray your three thousand dollar application that you will trust to have great control for the whole season make sure since you are relying on one spray application that all the variables that you are able to control are spot on. Next time you talk to your neighbor and he is complaining about breakthrough from his application it might behoove you to ask a couple simple questions to get to the root of the problem. Application timing, application rate and proper dilution would be my first questions. You would be surprised at how little things can make a big difference. Taking the time to make sure you applying your chemicals properly can save you time and money.
Knowing the target is key when control is needed. So many people rely on calendar applications, which are not very accurate. Every year brings different conditions so relying on a calendar application can result in money lost because your timing was off.
Using a prediction model can adjust your timing to the development of your insects or bring your attention to leaf wetness period to plan your prevention of disease. Knowing the life cycle of your target can help you plan your preventative application so your not reacting too late in their development. Knowing how a disease or insects attack the plant is very important as well. I have heard of application that were made for root infecting diseases but were not watered in properly. Simple oversights can cost a lot of money in application and only get a small percentage of control.
Knowing your product is very important. When you try a new chemistry or use a trusted product it is important you are getting the most out of your application. Remember the chemical companies spend millions of dollars testing and registering these chemicals for our use. The testing is definitely in a controlled environment, which we do not have. That is one variable you cannot avoid. Reading the label reveals important information that may be overlooked. Things that people take for granted are, proper application rate, recommended pH of the solution to avoid breakdown and mode of action. This is important information when planning your application. Have you checked the pH of the water you are using to fill your tank? Can you apply with proper dilution? These are all questions that you should be asking yourself when planning out your spray schedule.
The last thing to complete before you load up your tank with an expensive application that you may rely on for extended periods of control is proper calibration. I make sure I calibrate before every application. The first thing that I make sure I have is proper nozzle selection. Nozzles are like different size wrenches for a mechanic. Each one does a different job and not one can do the job of the other. I have a set of nozzles for high volume applications like fungicides, a set for foliar applications. Applying the product according to the proper dilution can make the efficacy much better. When the label recommends 2gal per thousand square feet then applying it at 1 gal per thousand will reduce your efficacy by a good percentage.
Next time you go out to spray your three thousand dollar application that you will trust to have great control for the whole season make sure since you are relying on one spray application that all the variables that you are able to control are spot on. Next time you talk to your neighbor and he is complaining about breakthrough from his application it might behoove you to ask a couple simple questions to get to the root of the problem. Application timing, application rate and proper dilution would be my first questions. You would be surprised at how little things can make a big difference. Taking the time to make sure you applying your chemicals properly can save you time and money.
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