Irrigation and air temps Cancel The title field is required!

1. Douglas Eggert

   

   1 posts
   
   10/9/2012 9:10 PM

   Since Mother Nature is still throwing this drought at us in the golf business, I was wondering what evening irrigation practices Superintendents are using?
   
   I know the evening temps are falling below 32, do you still irrigate? My issue isn't the freezing portion of the show, but the need to accommodate daily play. Wind during the day isn't helping either...
   
   Thoughts? Bone dry or close to it, less than 3 weeks from system blowout is throwing up a bunch of concerns on my part.
   
   Thanks in advance.

   
   
   
   
2. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   10/9/2012 10:10 PM

   Hi Doug,
   
   Are your concerns with watering at night with the freezing temps and watering during the day because of play? Can you begin watering at 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM? Get in a good chunk of your watering done before the temps hit the freezing point. Begin watering the remainder of the course at 5 AM when temps are potentially above 32. Stagger irrigation schedules to get all areas watered. It may take a couple days to the entire course watered. Desiccation is a real potential this year with the drought. I say get the water down while you can before "winter" hits.

   
   
   
   
3. Christopher Lewis

   

   0 posts
   
   10/9/2012 11:10 PM

   I try to schedule my irrigation cycles on Monday to Thursday during this time of season if possible and also follow the forecast a little more closely. If Monday nights low is going to be in the mid 40's and Tuesday is going to be in the 30's I will water more Monday night. By doing this we attempt to reduce the frost delay times during peak money making days. I don't adjust my run times or split my schedule, I will just move my start times up to 30 minutes after the final tee time. Most nights my irrigation cycle is done by 2am. We will still ice up pretty good on some days but it has usually burned off by 8:30. I have been burned a couple of times when the forecast is wrong and we turn into a skating rink, but most of the time this system works.
   Our frost burns off quick in Colorado, I know in your part of the country the frost can last until lunch.

   
   
   
   
4. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   10/10/2012 4:10 AM

   All I can tell you Doug is we are still running around with hoses on dry spots during the day. It can be quite frustrating this time of year for sure! We have seed coming up, fresh sod we put down, so water need is still high in those places as well. Last night nice rain showers came through so today a break, but the winds are no fun 30 mph gusts yesterday and calling for close to it today again. I suppose it is my welcome back to Chicago area from above...I brought Mid-Atlantic Summer and now getting a true Mid-West Fall fun fest! Leaves look great but blowing around as fast as we chop and blow them up! But it wont last forever and this weekend some more rain is in forecast so hang tough! I also would think deep less frequent irigation if possible, spread out what you water and do it longer. Front one day back another for instance. JMO
   
   Gregg R
   RGCC
   Loving it every day