| Sept. 17, 2010 Scouting Report Dry Continues: iTurf Expo is Sept. 22, Seed and fertilizer flies, Dollar spot stops, First fall color, PCNB and snow mold, Tim's Crabgrass C4 vs. Kentucky bluegrass C3, and Nick's says "Lexingon and Firenza" tall fescue Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle Dry. In a week, we are seeing lots of recovery from summer injury. For example to my surprise on Tuesday, a research trial at North Shore Country Club was stopped in its tracks. For approximately one month we had been experiencing rapid progression of dollar spot. This week, my data collection was less impressive - turfgrass recovery now seemed to have the upper hand. Why? Cooler nights of 40s and 50s have begun, and most fungi (e.g. Sclerotinia homoeoecarpa) do not like it that cool. Another simpler explanation is that it's dry (even greater negative consequence on fungal development). The bad guys that blight turf typically need a minimum leaf wetness duration of 10 hours. If you manage turf, dry is a wonderful thing - especially given your schedule. Most core aerification to benefit root growth is timed near Labor Day. Also, areas in need of repair (e.g. summer 2010) were cultivated and seeded without interruption. For golfers, current conditions might be bitter sweet. Bitter sweet? Some of the hardest and fastest course conditions now exist, yet peak summer play is over. The last time Chicago courses were this dry was sometime in April. Superintendents are in control. Do you hear that? Besides spreaders slinging fertilizer (whiz) or dropping seed (dribble), needed drainage modifications are being installed (draining water sound). Preparations for 2011 have begun. Dry is a good thing. Click here to view the complete Sept. 17, 2010 Scouting Report. Have a great weekend. It feels like fall already...maybe take the time to smell a flower or two... Derek Settle, PhD Director of Turfgrass Program Chicago District Golf Association 11855 Archer Ave Lemont, IL 60439 P 630.685.2307 F 630.257.2088 W cdga.org E dsettle@cdga.org |
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