This year, like every year, has brought its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Golf courses throughout the Southeast are making the final push to perform cultural practices on warm-season turfgrasses and many golf courses with bentgrass putting greens are either beginning putting green aeration or really looking forward to it.
While still being focused on playability and presentation in the short term, golf courses also need to start thinking about preparing for winter dormancy. Winter injury may be unavoidable sometimes, but taking steps now to reduce the risks will improve your chances of a great winter and early spring. Here are some action items to help warm-season turfgrasses prepare for winter dormancy:
- Start to raise your heights of cut. The goal should be at least a 25% increase before dormancy, but this needs to begin when the grass is actively growing.
- Continue to monitor and manage soil moisture. While this is critical throughout the growing season, it is equally important during the fall, winter and early spring seasons.
- Complete cultural programs with enough time for a full recovery before growth begins to slow.
- Continue to apply adequate nitrogen fertility as long as the grass is still actively growing. This will help the turf hold color in the fall and improve both winter quality and spring greenup.
- Make fungicide applications followed by irrigation for spring dead spot or large patch once soil temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Continue plant protectant programs on ultradwarf putting greens through the winter to improve winter quality and spring greenup.
- Allow the turfgrasses to harden-off naturally. This cold acclimation process is crucial for cold tolerance and premature fall covering will reduce cold tolerance.
While most of us are ready to see the dog days of summer come to an end, don’t take your foot off the gas when it comes to preparing for the cooler weather ahead. Winter will be here before you know it. For a more in-depth look at winter preparation, read the USGA article “Best Management Practices for Preventing Winter Injury on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens.”
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Chris Hartwiger, director, USGA Course Consulting Service – chartwiger@usga.org
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., agronomist – jbooth@usga.org