Where is my winter coat?
Just when one thinks the season is over,
it is just the
beginning for some. It all starts at early dawn. As the sun breaks through the
horizon, comes a team of professionals anxiously working the field and
preparing for the cold winter months. Early October, the aeration and
fertilization process of the greens begins, to improve density of the turf and
ensure the survival of the roots over the winter season. This process also
helps improve air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
.... con't .... It also protects
the turf as it becomes healthier and stronger and is a preventative measure
against snow mold disease. The process must be carried out to give the “greens”
the best possible chance of survival, but there is no guarantee. The protection system covers tees,
fairways and roughs.
The turf care team has applied the aeration and
fertilization process. Now comes the winter coat application. The team uses
strong and breathable evergreen covers over the greens. It serves 2 purposes;
it protects the plants from desiccation and helps the greens grow faster at the
beginning of the new season. The next step; apply either a layer of straw or a
sheet of plastic bubbles to serve as insulation, or just leave the evergreen as
the only cover (for new greens only). To finish up, a sturdy plastic covers the
entire area. It will prevent any rain from forming ice on the grass. In the
spring, as snow and ice melts and temperatures rise, to prevent the greens from
heating up, it is necessary to be aware as to where these covers are, so
immediate action takes place to remove them. The entire process for 38 greens
requires 18 employees working 6 days a week to insure that the greens wear
their winter coat!
John Scott
Superintendent
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