Mother Nature Curveball

As the fairway installation progressed last summer, it became obvious that there would be weed challenges that would need to be dealt with this year.  A multi-dimensial plan was developed that would safely, slowly, and cost effectively clean both the zoysia sod and sprigs of unwanted weeds and grasses.  The first step in the plan was to use a non selective herbicide (Roundup) on the dormant zoysia in February.  This would damage anything that was green.  Unfortunately, that plan was derailed by the snow storms and excessive rain that hit the area.  When the fairways finally cleared and the ground dried up, the zoysia had already broken dormancy and started to green up.  The low rate of Roundup needed would probably only slow the zoysia down but this first year no chances are being taken so that application is out.  We may still be able to make it in the bermuda rough because it has not broken dormancy yet.

The sprigged areas are also full of moss.  This is a light green plant that is the result of keeping the sprigs wet after planting.  A  product will be sprayed on it soon to kill the moss.  This product also has some broadleaf weed activity that will help.  The annual bluegrass and other cool season grasses that are in the sod will have to be sprayed with a different class of herbicides.  There are several products to chose from depending on temperatures but all of them are much more costly than Roundup.  The plan had been to wait to use one of these until summer/fall as the last application and to clean the zoysia before winter. 

Last week I was asked why some rows of sod were fully green with most still tan.  The answer is that those strips have unwanted grass/weeds in them.  This was one of the targets we hoped to stop with the Roundup.  I had planned to cut the fairways short this week to allow the sun to green the zoysia faster but the forecast for the weekend is 2 nights of freezing temperatures.  It makes sense to delay the cut down for another week.  This will also give us a chance to decide on the timing of the next herbicide application.

The good news in all this is the zoysia is greening and ready to finish growing in.  If you want an idea of what the fairways will look like in the future, take a peek at #14 fairway.  That is what we expect to produce in the coming years.  Lastly, with the zoysia greening, golf carts will be allowed off the paths as soon as the ground is dry enough. 

Larry Hantle, CGCS