Cool-season Lawns: How Low Should You Go?

This article is taken from the K-State Horticulture Newsletter

We often are asked whether it is good to mow lower in the spring.  The answer is yes and no.  It doesn’t hurt to mow lower than normal the first mowing or two.  As a matter of fact, it can actually speed green-up by removing old, dead grass and allowing the soil to warm up faster.  But the mowing height should be raised to normal after the first or second cutting to discourage crabgrass.  Crabgrass seed must have light to germinate, and a high mowing height will shade the soil.  Also, root depth and mowing height are related on upright growing grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass — the higher the height of cut, the deeper the root system.  A deeper root system means a more drought- resistant turf.  So, how low should you go on the first cutting? On tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, you should mow at about 1 to 1½ inches. Be careful you don't go so low that you scalp the turf.  Normal mowing height for Kentucky bluegrass is 2 to 3 inches and for tall fescue is 2½ to 3½ inches.

Written by Ward Upham, KSU Dept of Horticulture

Good Ol' Mother Nature!

If you have not heard the forecast for this weekend, well here ya go!  After a few very nice days, we are going to get the heavy wet snow I believed we were still waiting on.  They predict upto 6" of snow by Saturday night??  Its not the snow I am most worried about, for it will insulate much of the ground and may possibly warm up the soil to get the grass growing a little bit more.  The most I worry about is the blustery winds and cold snapped temperatures that may damage some of the grass that has started to take off causing it to briefly go back into dormancy.  Time will tell, unfortunately we had to cancel the Early Bird Event for the upcoming weekend due to the forecasted conditions.  Check back next week, hopefully we will have a nice warm up for the rest of the week.  Also make sure you can attend the 1st Annual Superintendent Revenge tournament on Sunday March 28 at 10:00, it should be a fun format with a chance to win free cart rental till Oct.!!  Sign up and get details from the golf shop. 

Facebook

I have had the notion and a few others have suggested the facebook page being added.  The one problem I have had is that I can only create a page, in which I would only be able to add or make changes to the page.  I might make a false name and then create a page so that Haley, Karen and the Pro Shop can have access to the information and add any upcoming events etc.  Anybody have any creative names for me to try??  I will post once I get the page going.

Warmer weather!!

Well it looks like a great week for getting outside this week, Finally!  Well today we were able to do some of our burning of natives, the areas we were able to do was great with the wind directions we had, hopefully tomm it will move a little bit out of the south so we can knock out some other areas.

We will be mowing greens this week to clean up some of the dead material that have been out in the elements all winter.  Also tomm. it looks like we will be getting a few items that we were able to purchase for this year, one that i am totally excited about is the vibratory rollers!  These rollers will speed up greens and firm and smooth them out during the season, without dropping the mower down, causing a lot less stress on the plant.

This week we will be opening up the short game range on the old range.  This area will be used for shots 100 yds and less, hopefully eliminating some of the damage on the driving range tees due to the short irons from digging in.  We will also be bringing out the new yardage signs and color coded flags for the driving range, now there will be no more guessing how far you are hitting the ball!!  So come out and enjoy the new amenities added to the practice arsenal!!

We'll see ya out dusting the clubs off!!

Winter Weather?

I know I am starting to feel like everyone else, I am ready for some spring weather!  It was unfortunate that last Saturday we had to keep the course closed due to the snow just not melting fast enough, and Sunday we opened but it was by all means not your typical golfing weather! 

We had quite a few holes that had quite a bit of snow up through the day on Saturday, most of that snow was from the one prior to the last 5.5" snow.  The greens on 4 and 6 just sit back in a pocket where sun and heat doesnt allow for quick melting.  Those 2 greens definietely have different climates throughout the year that can cause headaches.  Along with the snow melt brought a ton of moisture for us, but it was also a sloppy mess on fairways and greens.

Still today (Monday) a portion of #9 green still had snow cover on it.  I do know of a few courses that were able to open, but those courses might not have the open terrain to catch the drifting like we have had this year.  Lets hope that the snowfall has ended, and we just recieve the moisture in rain the rest of the spring!!  Looking at the 10 day forecast, Thursday looks like a day to get out and enjoy the weather, and then a little dip and steady in the 40's after that!

Thanks for checking in!  

Question

If you check this blog, could you post a comment, a simple Hi, or send an email saying "checked" so I do know members are looking at the blog?  Would a facebook page be easier?  I have been pondering the facebook addition?  Thanks again

Sorry for the Delay's

Boy am I sorry I have totally dropped the ball on the ol blogger!  When I started my counter I kept checking to see if anyone was looking it over, and the counter just started adding up from me checking it!  Also I have been too busy chasing fun-seekers off of Mt. Terradyne on the new range!

Here we go, Mother Nature sure doesnt want us to play any golf lately.  After another 5 inch snowstorm, and brutal cold temperatures, I really dont see the meltdown coming before the weekend.  Be sure to check with the proshop before making any golfing plans.

We will be hoping to open the new short game area on the old range in the coming weeks, this will be used only for 100 yd shots and in.  I hope all of our members and guests will enjoy another addition to our great practice portfolio.  Along with that some of our new additions have started to roll in, examples would be new yardage stands for the range and new flags for the range that will be color-coded to each yardage.

Again sorry for the bogey on not updating so much!!