The Rim Golf Club Maintenance Department is now thinking of spring. It won't be long before the weather gets warmer and the grass begins it spring green up. The recent weather forecast of snow possibilities makes spring feel like a far away thought.
Spring aerification opens up the soil for the turf's first big breath of the season. The soil profile is made up of three different parts; soil (decomposed granite{fairways}, sand {greens}), water and oxygen. A healthy soil is 50 percent soil and 50 percent water and oxygen, preferrabley equal amounts water and oxygen. The wet winter has changed this ideal balance with excess water in the profile. Since soil cannot be reduced in the system oxygen must go. With that being said, pulling cores and introducing the system with much needed oxygen is key to building a healthy stand of turf for the stressfull months during the season.
That brings me to water management. Spring can be tricky with weather being unpredictable. We can have warm spells for a few days straight followed by cooler weather. This increases the importance of weather prediction and the ability of being one step ahead of Mother Nature. Our goal is to anticipate the weather and apply water accordingly. Unpredictability can make for an interesting spring. To help combat the spring roller coaster I have gathered the water usage data from the previous years and averaged the monthly usage to create a guideline or budget to stay on track with our water usage. Of course, weather will be the defining factor in our actual water needs. With a guidline in place we can monitor our usage closely and better prepare ourselves for the critical months of June, July and August. 
When the soil temperatures begin to rise the grass begins to green up. Our late fall application of fertilizer was done for the sole purpose of giving the plant available nutrition during this period. Once the grass begins to green up the roots will be looking for nutrients to support the production of new leaves. Our late fall application was a blend of organic (slow release) and synthetic (quick release fertilizer). The quick release helped retain some of the color through the winter months while the slow release remains in the soil profile until the temperatures rise starting the breakdown process from various bacteria converting the nitrogen into plant available nitrogen. We have plenty of light, water and oxygen, food is the limiting factor.
Vertical mowing and grooming is the process of cutting the lateral growth of the plant. The greens consist of Bentgrass. Bentgrass uses stolons (above ground stems) to fill in thin areas. As they move along the surface they shoot roots out creating another source for nutrient harvesting. If we cut these stolons it forces the cut section to grow and start a new plant. This helps thicken the turf as well as making room for the new leaves that are making their spring appearance. Consistent grooming results in healthy upright turf that produces smooth playing surfaces. 
The Spring season is not far away. Cultural practice planning is important to build a healthy stand of turf that can withstand the stressful conditions of Summer. Our plan is to have another successful year keeping the course playable and prepared for what Mother Nature will bring.
If you have any questions about our Spring program or just have questions please contact me.
Justin C. Ruiz, CGCS
