This is a big week for the golf course. It is the week of aerification, and for the next 3 days the course is closed to provide as much efficiency as possible.
 |
| new toro aerator |
 |
| picking up cores off the green |
 |
| topdressed green after dragging |
This is a lot of hard labor that keeps the course healthy and playing well. Superintendents have known for years that this effort is not appreciated by most players, although it is the single most important cultural practice that ensures a well conditioned golf course.
Kevin
6 comments:
if sheetrock is made from gypsum how would that help the soil profile?
It is true that sheet rock is made of gypsum, however the use of gypsum as a building product is not the same as its use as an agronomic product, where it has been used for centuries throughout the world.
The appropriate use of gypsum is determined by chemical testing of our water and soil. Then basic, proven fundamentals of chemistry are applied to come to the rate of application and the correct form of gypsum. Sheet rock not being one of the forms considered.
In the case of La Rinconada we are balancing our base saturation (the most important base elements being calcium, magnesium, potsassium,sodium). Once again, basic chemistry tells us that we can form calcium compounds and put sodium into solution in the soil where it can be removed by rain fall or irrigation, provided we have drainage. Having provided drainage by aerification this past week, and with the forcast for rain 5 of the next 7 days, I am feeling pretty good about moving sodium, which is present in undesirable quantities in our water and soil, out of the soil profile. The other thing that the calcium does, is it creats a soil that does not compact as easily, resulting in a better rootzone for plant health, and helps facillitate drainage for firmer playing conditions.
This is a rather brief explaination for the "what is" and "why for" our application of gypsum. I know a lot less about drywall, but I do know what happens when it gets wet, and I don't think it would hurt your lawn.
When you refer to base saturation, is that just computer generated percentages? If the calcium is above 68% would you have a need to increase all the other nutrients to compinsate. You cant remove calcium from the soil.
When looking at your soil samples and base saturation does that tell you what the plant needs?
Is Gypsum not just a bi-product from processing phosphate rock?
Q When you refer to base saturation, is that just computer generated percentages?
A Percentages can be generated in a number of ways, not solely computers.
Q If the calcium is above 68% would you have a need to increase all the other nutrients to compinsate.
A Not necessarily. In my case potasium and manganese will be increased along with the calcium
Q You cant remove calcium from the soil.
A It can be. I will not be attempting to remove it
Q When looking at your soil samples and base saturation does that tell you what the plant needs?
A Soil samples to a degree. Base saturation NO. Keep in mind the plant gets most of what it needs from the soil
Q Is Gypsum not just a bi-product from processing phosphate rock?
A No
If this is true can you define; Phosphogypsum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phosphogypsum refers to the gypsum formed as a by-product of processing phosphate ore into fertilizer with sulfuric acid.
Post a Comment