MAINTENANCE OF A GREEN
January February
Despite this being the start of the February tends to be more of the same
year, the greens are generally just as January. We will try to get another
resting. For us we will just make sure dressing on the greens & if fortunate
we get the dew of the greens early we may be able to get another 20
morning to avoid any type of disease. tonnes of sand on. Hand weeding will
Keeping them dry, we have the best continue, however, if the weather is
chance to halt the encroachment of mild it is feasible we could roll the
microdochium nivale. If we go into greens to keep them smooth, but I
winter with a dry green without to try to keep this minimal as I want to
apply 100 to 200 tonnes of sand. much excessive nitrogen, then we reduce the amount of compaction this
have really lowered the chances could lead to. It is possible we may
For me the weather is crucial to how of contracting any disease. If the spray a little sulphate of iron onto
I manage my maintenance plan. I weather is dry & conducive to some the greens. This will help add a little
generally have a strategy as to how top dressing, we will add about 10 colour to the greens, but can also help
we will go for the year, but it will tonnes of sand to the surface & us by aiding us in control of some
depend on weather conditions as to hand brush it in. In this time, we cushion moss we may get during the
the procedure we follow. The following hand weed greens to avoid use any winter months. This can also help in
plan will demonstrate how we expect herbicide. I am a great believer in the reduction of any fusarium patch
to proceed each month, however it may cultural methods rather than chemical disease.
fluctuate due to weather conditions controls.
The secret to the maintenance of a
fescue green is all about timing and
basic principles; my theory is to limit
the amount of Nitrogen I apply. This
can vary between years, but typically
for me in the years I have been
responsible for Royal St George’s, it’s
between 30 – 50 kg. We will also try to
keep our moisture levels constant in
the growing season at between 16 – 20
%. On top of this we will usually try to
and this is only a general guide.
Issue 37 2019 Landscape & Urban Design
95