By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen
Are these sustained sub-zero temperatures harming or injuring the golf
course?
USGA states, “winter injury is a very complex event because it is controlled by
many variables that are not completely understood.”
During these windy sub-zero temperatures, two turfgrass winter
injuries can occur: low temperature kill and desiccation.
As of now, low temperature kill is not a big concern because
of our high population of bentgrass on our playing surfaces. Bentgrass has a very high tolerance for low
temperatures and can withstand this type of weather pattern.
Desiccation is the drying of the plant due to the exposure of
low temperatures, high winds and no added precipitation. This past fall, just prior to the low
temperatures and snow, we sprayed an anti-desiccant on all high exposed areas (i.e.
#6 green, putting green). An
anti-desiccant is coating that helps protect and lock in moisture on the
bentgrass leaf blades and crown. Along
with the anti-desiccant, earlier this month, we experienced an inch of rain to
help keep the soil and turf hydrated.
Overall, the most important and natural element to
minimizing and/or eliminating low temperature kill and desiccation is
snow. Snow is the best insulator for the
golf course; it protects from high winds, locks in warmth for the plant to
survive and keeps the plants hydrated.
As of today, with 20”+ inches of snow, we are setup for the course to
over winter nicely.
