Last week, the Stillmeadow Turf and Maintenance crew tackled the task of seeding any thin or damaged areas on greens complexes. The process went very well and over the weekend we had plenty of rain for seed placement (a little too much in some areas!) and germination. Some of our areas are already filled with tiny seedlings.
The process was the following:
1) Aerate
2) Slit Seed
3) Broadcast extra seed where needed
4) Starter fertilize
5) Flag off the areas
As mentioned in step 5, all seeded areas have been flagged with small orange surveyors flags for a couple of reasons. The first reason is for our membership. These areas have been identified to you so that you have the ability to do your part. To help these seedlings maintain maximum survival during their fragile state we ask that you please keep carts out of these areas. We would also ask that you would even be cautious of foot traffic and try to divert to alternative walking paths when able. The second reason we have flagged these areas is to identify the seeded areas to the Stillmeadow Turf and Maintenance crew. We plan to discontinue the mowing of these areas for as long as possible from a playability standpoint as well as limiting our traffic in these areas. Traffic control is the number one variable in the success of all the seeded areas.
We realize that this is an inconvenience for many reasons but also realize that this is a necessary one. The incorporation of more Tall Fescue plants into our current stand of Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Poa Annua, Poa Trivialis and Bentgrass roughs will greatly improve our course in the near future. We plan to incorporate more desirable turf plants every year.
Thanks for your time and patience during this process!