Greens Update

Not Quite Out of the Woods Yet

The Maintenance Team has been sampling various greens since late December in order to monitor their conditions. Lincoln White, our equipment mechanic, fabricated a tool we use to extract soil and turf from the green. After the sample is removed from the green, it is brought into the Maintenance Facility to warm-up and break dormancy. This process is how we will know what the turf's health will be come spring. Thankfully, all the samples that we have taken this winter have done well.

Turf samples collected from various
greens are marked and monitored.

We are not quite out of the woods yet. Crown hydration is still a concern to turf surfaces. Weather conditions dictate whether crown hydration occurs. In order for it to happen, temperatures warm for a few days and snow and ice start to melt. The plant breaks dormancy and starts to take in water. The major concern at this point becomes the nighttime lows or the "flash freeze". When this happens, the cells of the plant tissue rupture, causing the plant to die. To counter this issue, the Team remains very cognizant of the weather forecast and will adjust practices accordingly.

For more information about winter injury, view this site from the MSU Turf Team.http://www.turf.msu.edu/winterkill-of-turfgrass

The weather forecast for next week looks promising. We will continue to monitor turf conditions and make adjustments accordingly. Remember, only 15 days until spring!