December is a roll the dice month, mild, wet, cold … snow, it’s all possible but the odds are long on any one outcome.
The risk factor with this month is if it doesn’t go how we want it to, and disease comes knocking, we may be stuck with the scars until the consistent growth is back in hand (May?).
It’s a short month so I’ll keep it brief!
Lots to be thinking about, but some possible priorities for the month to give the best shot of it going smoothly:
1. Moisture management:
- Removing leaf moisture is critical, especially close to when golf is played
- Consider using dew suppression technology
- Dew brushing, mowing, or rolling to dry out leaf surfaces
2. Disease prevention:
- Monitor weather conditions, as milder temperatures can increase disease pressure
- Keep on top of cultural controls (e.g. dew control, adequate nutrition)
- Consider preventative fungicide applications, especially if weather conditions are favorable for disease
- If you are unsure which technology to back, I’d be monitoring GP (Cool season Growth potential – in TurfAdvisor)
If the 2-week average is under 5% I’d lean into Medallion, if 5-20% Instrata Elite the data suggests is the preferred choice.
GP can fluctuate hugely day on day (as we can see above with the 24.8% spike) is its best to make decisions based on the more balanced averages.
3. Staff management:
- Prioritize giving staff time off for the holidays
- Plan for potential gaps in labor during the holiday period
4. Planning for milder conditions:
- Be aware that winters are trending milder, which can lead to more disease pressure
- Learn from turf managers in traditionally milder areas (e.g. Ireland) who have experience with these conditions
Remember that these priorities may need to be balanced with allowing time for staff to enjoy the holiday season with their families.
Hopefully it turns cold a that will keep the disease pressure low in the run into the holidays, but better to plan for the worst than be unpleasantly surprised!
