Stressing out

Summer is upon us. The warm temperatures we have all been craving has arrived. With the cool and moist spring, the turf had no reason to stress. Now is the time where allowing plants to stress will prove to be beneficial in the heat of the summer. 

A little stress on the turf allow the roots to drive down for water. We also use fertilizer products to enhance root growth. Stronger roots heading into summer is key for continued success.

Each summer with hot, hot days root die back will occur.   Preparing them now will help reduce the greater potential of disease and possible turf loss during the season. You may notice some purple color in the afternoon. This is the plant telling us that it has stopped the photosynthesis process and is tired. With some watering, the plants will bounce back. This is also a great sign that the course is playing firm, as it should. Some plants check out for a while and may turn brown. They are not dead, they are just stressed. They bounce back shortly and perform better for the season. During 90 degree heat and add in the wind, seeing wilt stress is a good thing.