Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle -
It's dry. Weathermen are pulling out all the stops to impress us with a June (again). It turns out June 2012 is bone dry in Chicago and only 1988 (June 1-15) was drier. I can say little Sunshine Course's grass has never seen such dry (established c. 2001). Nevertheless, our turf health remains stellar, wherever irrigated, and the same is true at area courses. To now our temperatures have been good for cool-season turf. Hot at times, but we've enjoyed timely breaks with low humidity (Tue, Wed this week). Air temp lows of 40s greatly moderated our 2 inch soil temps. It means soils are back to 60s again after 74 degrees on June 11 in Lemont (warmest soil temp yet).
It means our best ever crop of cool-season turf roots will remain healthy...for now. Just like turf, dry conditions have meant good health and few diseases for woody ornamentals. Look at the roses, they peaked last weekend as did a few others in the landscape. Like the sweet scent of American linden trees in full bloom. Back to turf and lessons therein. Like a disease called Waitea still active on Poa annua when dry? Like take-all still affecting bentgrass fairways for decades? One thing I know for sure, it's going to get hot this summer. The extended 5 day high temperature forecast is something like 90s, 90s, 80s, 90s, 90s. On average that's an A if you're enrolled in class. If you're a golf course superintendent, hang on as June is about to become July.
Click here to view the June 15, 2012 Scouting Report.
Have a good weekend and, as best is possible, stay cool!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program
630-685-2307
dsettle@cdga.org
Weather Blog
Timothy A. Sibicky, MS
Manager of Turfgrass Research
630-685-2310
tsibicky@cdga.org
Research Blog
0 comments:
Post a Comment