Technical - Golf So, what’s new? Well, nothing really, these
are common greenkeeping problems that have been around since time immemorial, but might I suggest that it’s time get back to some basics and see how best to overcome these scenarios. A very simple way of understanding just
Dig a hole to find out what is going on under the surface...
what is going on is to take a profile sample of your greens; you would be amazed how such a simple act is missing in the daily management of some greens I see today. Once taken, you can then make informed decisions on how best to overcome any problems found. ‘Soil sampling’ is a commonplace term for benchmarking the current conditions found on greens. We are led to believe that this is a modern invention formerly unknown to greenkeepers. Well, might I suggest that it has been a staple of the greenkeeping profession since the dark ages.We have been digging holes in our greens for centuries. Perhaps a little crude, and not as we see
today with samples being sent off to the lab for analysis but, if done regularly, even a simple core can provide a positive, hands on evaluation of current conditions. Like the growth rings of a tree, it will show past management inputs and suggest exactly where, in the green’s profile, the problems are to be found. Is it high levels of OM or is it a very
compacted profile that won’t let water through? Finding the problem isn’t normally that difficult and, if we are to be successful in resolving any problems found, it is key that we can fully identify just ‘where’ the problems lie. It has become fashionable to keep aeration
... you’d be amazed what you could learn “
We are led to believe that this is a modern invention formerly unknown to greenkeepers. Well, might I suggest that it has been a staple of the greenkeeping profession since the dark ages
operations restricted to the upper layer of the profile, with the addition of sand topdressing alongside these works, but often at the expense of identifying an accumulating problem further down in the soil profile. Any investment into aeration and soil amendment has to be well targeted and sight specific, and we mustn’t assume that hollow or solid tining and filling holes at the surface will always stand us in good stead. For example, there could be a pan layer at around 100-150mm that can be caused by surface aeration programmes over an extended period of time; something that has been well known in agriculture for many years. A compacted layer not only restricts the movement of water through the soil but also inhibits good root development at the same time.
High Levels of Organic Matter
So, how can we establish the facts when dealing with high OM issues? The best way is to take samples and get them analysed to determine just what the accumulations are. These samples are commonly sent to a
Ensure the sand you use is of the highest quality
118 I PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
laboratory for analysis. Once there, they are dried and sectioned into different depths, typically 0-20mm, 20-40mm and 40-60mm. Each section is then specifically tested for OM levels at each depth. The system used is quite simple. Once
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