Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Groomers, or miniature vertical mowers attached to the front of reels, are effective at improving management of grain and improving plant density through the cutting of stolons, but provide very low/no compaction or thatch relief. Solid tining causes less disturbance to the turf surface and can be used to temporarily reduce compaction and soften surface hardness during months when the growth rate of grasses is reduced. However, the benefits of solid-tine aeration are temporary because no soil is removed from the profile, except when using a deep tine aerator with a “kicking action” that results in some soil loosening. “Venting” or “needle-tining” is often used to describe the practice of solid tine aeration using small-diameter tines (0.25 to 0.375 inches). This is an effective tool that can be used to help provide increased gas exchange to root systems and can be particularly useful in alleviating summer stress on putting greens. It can also be performed with minimal impact on putting surface quality when followed by mowing or rolling. • Annual core aeration programs should be designed to remove 15% to 20% of the surface area. High-traffic areas may require a minimum of two to four core aerations annually. • Core aeration should take into account when weeds are germinated and should be conducted only when grasses are actively growing and not under stress in order to aid in the quick recovery of surface density. • Vary the depth of aeration events by incorporating different lengths of tines. This prevents the development of compacted layers in the soil profile. • Verticutting depth for thatch removal should reach the bottom of the thatch layer and extend into the surface of the soil beneath the thatch. • Solid tines cause less disturbance to the turf surface and can be used to temporarily reduce compaction and to soften surface hardness during months when the growth rate of grasses is reduced. Benefits of solid-tine aeration are temporary because no soil is removed from the profile. • Solid tine aeration should be avoided on wet native soils because it causes compaction and reduction in water movement. • Venting should be periodically performed to help provide oxygen to root zones, particularly prior to the onset of summer stress, and can also help dry out excessively wet soils. Best Management Practices

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