Recovery and the toll this winter really had on the golf course

As everyone is aware this winter was unprecedented and will probably be talked about for some time, especially by those in the turf industry. The facts about Metamora are quite simple, we suffered minimal damage. As mentioned in a previous post the leaves have a scorched like appearance but we felt the crowns were healthy. How did we know the crowns of the plants were healthy when the entire plant appears brown or has a whitish/grey look? By looking at the plants under a microscope, and continuing to bring samples indoors throughout winter. We used a compound microscope to look for green tissue within the turfgrass crowns. We sprayed fertilizers targeted to the crown area to try and stimulate growth. We are definitely seeing a lot of improvement, but it is slow.  Until we get soil temperatures consistently in the mid 50's and a lot of sunny days recovery will continue be slow. Below is a picture of a annual bluegrass plant responding from our sprays with new root and top growth.

 

 

 

Dr. Kevin Frank from Michigan State University was in the area yesterday visiting with other golf courses and stopped by our course on his way back to campus. He also thought or turf suffered minimal damage.

We do not need to cover any greens or use temporary greens, we just need Mother Nature to give us May weather not March weather!