Greens Aerification

Close up of Aerification Hole

We are currently in the process of wrapping up our fall greens aerification.  The picture above is a close up of the soil profile following aerification.  As you can see, with our deep tine aerifier, we are able to punch a hole through the profile, which is then back filled with sand.

Aerification is the cure for many issues we struggle with on the greens.  Compaction relief, improved gas exchange, increased percolation rates, and thatch reduction are all direct benefits of aerification.  Although the practices typically take place when greens are looking their best.  With 60+ year old greens, without aerifcation, we would certainly see a decline in turf conditions.

Compared to our spring aerification, we typically are slightly less aggressive with the amount of holes and the size of the hole.  Due to the inconsistent weather patterns in the fall, we have found this type of aerification allows for a quick recovery without the risk of not healing over prior to the onset of dormant conditions.

Greens will be a little bumpy over the weekend but should be getting back to normal by the first of next week.  With rain in the forecast for the weekend, we may have timed this one perfect!

Record Setting Weather

It's official, the summer of 2011 will go down in the records books as the hottest summer in Wichita!  The good news is that it appears cooler days are just around the corner!

Although multiple records were broken this year, the two that stand out the most are the number of days over 100 degrees (currently at 52) and the average daily maximum temperature.  The average daily max is the average high temp from June 1st to August 31st.  During this time period our average daily max was 98.3 degrees.  To put that in perspective, the 6th hottest summer was a full 4 degrees cooler than the summer of 2011.

The good news is, with cooler temps on the way, its safe to say we have survived the record breaking heat wave of 2011.