UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION EASTERN REGION MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT R U T G E RS U N I V E R S I TY N EW B R U N S W I C K. N EW J E R S EY P L A NT I N D U S T RY S T A T I ON B E L T S V I L L E, M A R Y L A ND EASTERN TURFLETTER R A D KO A L E X A N D ER M. E A S T E RN D I R E C T OR C H A R L ES K. M I D - A T L A N T IC H A L L O W E LL D I R E C T OR T. T. T A Y L OR N O R T H E A S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST No. 3 June, 1959 SPRING? 1959 The Spring Season is the time to condition turf for the summer season ahead and it normally is an extremely busy time for those charged with the upkeep of golf turf. In a normal Spring usually the jobs are routine but nevertheless exacting' and important. This Spring we had an unusually bad start in the northern portion of the Northeast and in the high areas of the Mid-Atlantic District. The growing season was very late — much spring-winter injury occurred and Poa annua was badly hurt. We won't belabor the cause, effects, and remedy here — because they were well covered in an article in "Golfdom" by Dr. 0. J. Noer, also in a recent article by Green Section Staff Members in the Golf Course Reporter. The point we wish to make here is that it looks like a "long summer". Newly seeded areas on greens and aprons and tees have not progressed as well as they should have ... they have been "spoon fed" and syringed to this point and it appeal-s nov/ that more of the same will be required during the summer months ... preventative disease treatments too will be important for young grasses going into the hot months are easily susceptible to most any disease attack. We do not mean to minimize other good management practices .•. but in our opinion the three mentioned will be most important ••• the more difficult the summer, the more important they will be. Bermudagrass In the lower portion of distribution of the Eastern Turfletter we have the bermudagrass growing areas. In these areas where cool-season grasses have not performed satisfactorily improved v/inter hardy strains of bermudagrass are being grown on tees and fairways. Since seed of improved strains is not available, bermudagrass must be propagated vegetatively. Vegetative propagation — calls for setting up a good nursery area. June or July is a good time for this task for bermudagrass is a warm- season perennial and makes its best growth during the hot summer months. To establish nursery: (1) Sterilize the soil-bed ... for best results. Once established bermudagrass, managed we11, will keep out weeds however in nursery rows it will be crowded and set back by weeds if soil is not sterilized. (2) To soil-bed add limestone if needed — and a complete fertilizer, high in nitrogen. Work these materials into the top 3 inches of nursery area. (3) &t out vegetative stock in sprigs, stolons, sods, strips, or plugs. One square yard of sod will plant 900 linear row feet if sprigs are spaced 8 to 10 inches within row, and rows are spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. This technique requires little material and good cover is realized in approximately 8 weeks (times as recommended above). To plant using the stolon method — either pull sods apart or run sods through a vertical mower or similar shredder — then broadcast stolons uniformly over the nursery area, top dress the area, and firm the stolons in through rolling or tamping in some manner — then water the area as needed to encourage rapid spread. Once fully established, bermudagrass seldom if ever needs to be watered in this area ... it is only during this establishment period that watering is important — for rapid coverage. (10 Once planting stock is well-rooted begin mowing close, and let clippings remain as some of these clippings may root and hasten coverage of nursery area. (£) Once the bermudagrass is established, frequent applications of nitrogen fertilizers will encourage rapid spread. Bermudagrass is a high nitrogen feeder and doe s best when well fertilized during the summer months — its growing season. (6) After full establishment, aeration plus dragging with a chain harrow or a steel mat during periods of vigorous growth will be helpful in reducing mat or thatch build-up. Methods of transferring bermuda(grass to tees and fairways — (1) By means of a tractor powered sprig planter. (2) By use of a manure spreader at the rate of 80 to 100 bushels of stolons per acre. Cover stolons by light disking. (3) A tractor drawn root cutter with an especially devised blade has been successfully used by one superintendent to establish bermudagrass on his fairways, (for details write to C. K. Hallowell). (il) By means of a power sod cutter with a special blade which cuts 3" strips. This machine can be used to remove strips from existing fairway turf and in placing similarly cut strips from the bermudagrass nursery in their place. (5) Plugs k inches in diameter, or larger, can be planted at any time of the year so long as they have soil attached. Plugs of bermudagrass can be transplanted in this manner during the winter months so long as soil is not frozen. (6) On tees or hard-wear areas the best method of establishment is to completely sod the area. If the tee can be kept out of play for a while it could be stolonized with good results. These methods are generally more successful than plugging or strip-sodding. FIELD DAY MEETINGS August U - August 6 - September 17, 18 - U.S.D.A. Turf Field Day Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. Dr. Felix V. Juska Rutgers Turfgrass Field Day Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. Dr. Ralph E. Engel 28th Annual Golf Course Superintendents and Turfgrass Field Day University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R. I. Dr. Jesse A. DeFrance These are important dates for all progressive turfmen — mark them on your calendar now and plan to attend. New materials, new techniques, up to date results of trials will be reported on ... hope to see you there. Give the Job to a Busy Man ... etcl Wefre sure that most have seen the squib in the April issue of the USGA Journal and Turf Management but we1 re mighty pleased to mention it here too ... "Elmer Michael elected Mayor of Pittsford" ... His Honor is also Superintendent of Oak Hill Country Club ... 36 holes of championship calibre ... and one of the fine and beautiful "golf plants" of the United States. Quite an accomplishment ... quite a man ... congratulations to you, Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Mayor, Mr. MichaelI Eastern Turfletter USGA GREEN SECTION B U LK R A TE U. S. P O S T A GE PAID P E R M IT N O. 3 66 N EW B R U N S W I C K. N. J. Dr. James Watson Research Division Toro Manufacturing Company 82nd & Lindale Minneapolis, Minn,