Where Are We This Winter So Far?

I want to provide a little winter check up on where we are and where we might be in a few months.

Water has been the topic for the last few years and now we are receiving normal amounts, and it has changed things considerably. Better turf, and improved tree health being the biggest changes.

Cool wet weather is great for Poa health as well. Because it is one of the grasses we are trying to keep out of the golf course we continually eradicate it with physical removal and chemicals. There are many spots around the course where we have been successful and these areas have been seeded for recovery.

Dead Poa next to the cart path on #14

With the abundant rain there has been no need to pump water out of the pond at #11 and  algae has grown on the rock wall. The algae turned white when it dried out and is very noticeable right now. Solutions are being evaluated, and the unsightliness will be short lived. One of the very few negative impacts to the rain is the color of the rock right now.

Algae growth on the rock wall at the pond at #11

One last thing that I will mention in this posting is our new landscape plants. They are growing slowly during the winter months and if they don't pick up the pace, more plants will be put in. It would be premature to add more now, However, I am keeping a keen eye on the progress, and am prepared to add more when necessary. Our other new areas to be planted have not been done due to the rain. They are on the schedule, and needless to say all the growers and installation companies are behind.

We just had a nice week of dry clear weather, and now the rain is forecast to be back late this coming week. It is a welcome occurrence with the benefits we are seeing. Healthy turf, time to do projects, and good water reserves for the dry summer months.

 Kevin