Winter damage Cancel The title field is required!

1. Green Robert B

   
   3/12/2014 8:03 AM

   Unfortunately, the north shore of Chicago did not get rid of the snow cover enough to get a good look at the turf. So what are the reports? Growing some plugs out in the shop has not given me the ability to predict about 40 acres of poa/bent. Last weeks webinar "Worst Winter Ever" increased my anxiety levels.
   
   What are you seeing? We probably wont get a good look for another week.

   
   
   
   
2. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   3/12/2014 9:03 AM

   Brian,
   
   In NW Indiana. Course #1 - As of yesterday we had greens with no snow or ice cover (elevated greens), greens with a mix of no snow or ice up to 4"of snow with approximately 1" of ice, greens that were completely covered with 4" of snow on top of 1" of ice.
   
   Approximately one month ago we cleared 10' x 10' areas of a couple greens, chipped thru the ice, and pulled plugs. The grass was emerald green. Didn't get much of an indicator from the plugs. Some growing and some so-so.
   
   Went back to those same 10' x 10' areas yesterday and they appeared to be scorched from having removed the insulation of the snow and ice. The turf adjacent to these 10' x 10" (under the snow and ice) remained emerald green.
   
   A couple greens have winter damage at the low areas where the melted snow and ice surface drains the entire green. There is no puddling water in there areas just a consistent flow of shallow water.
   
   Course #2 - All greens remain under snow and ice. Did not attempt to clear snow and ice prior to yesterday. Cleared a couple areas on a few greens yesterday and the turf is emerald green and appears healthy.
   
   I think we will come out of this OK. We will have a few spots on course #1 were a few greens will need a bit of attention when the snow and ice finally melts completely. Course #2, I have no worries at this point.

   
   
   
   
3. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   3/12/2014 10:03 AM

   Hey Robert, yesterday we dug down to the surface of a green through alternating layers of snow and ice. We still have 1 to 2 feet of snow/ice cover. What we saw was amazingly green. That has me worried. It looked too green. Many clubs around me are removing the snow cover but with temperatures tonight down to the -17c range with a lot of wind, I have decided not to mess with mother nature and let the snow go naturally. I have found that in the years that I have interfered, we have come out worse than when we didn't

   
   
   
   
4. Green Robert B

   
   3/14/2014 7:03 AM

   Thank you Clay and Larry. It is such a tough call about "doing something" and the real risk of making matters worse. I have had the experiences that you two shared and trying to curb my enthusiasm/anxiety by talking with colleagues. We have changed our winter preparation after getting ice damage three years ago. That experience taught us many things but this year is a whole different experience. I thought some of the courses that have had a good melt and look at their turf might chime in a little more on this subject.
   
   Best to you both and hope we all get back to mowing and growing soon!

   
   
   
   
5. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   3/14/2014 7:03 AM

   Brian,
   
   In my limited experience it seems to me we tend to be our own worst enemies in the winter. My stance all winter has been to let mother nature do her thing and just keep an eye on it. I dug down a month ago and the turf seemed healthy and happy in our putting green where water always puddles. My intention has been to do nothing, let mother nature work. This is supported by our Director of Golf who said "DO NOT CLEAR ANY GREENS!"when we presented a few of the support articles (CDGA, Michigan Turfgrass, etc.)
   
   I've not lost any sleep yet, plenty of time to do that all summer!!

   
   
   
   
6. Jason Knuutila

   

   0 posts
   
   3/14/2014 6:03 PM

   Mother nature has done a great job of speeding up the poa eradication program. The poa appears to have ben injured from dessication/crown hydration or low temperature injury. The bent looks great and justifies the overseeding program.

   
   
   
   
7. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   3/14/2014 9:03 PM

   We have basically melted off this week and everything is fine here. Little snow mold in a couple rough areas. Ready to start mowing....

   
   
   
   
8. Cerminara Jamie L

   
   3/15/2014 5:03 AM

   We remove with squeegees once air has separated turf from ice / snow. This accounts for very little area though, my rule has always been do not touch. I am down state from most of you gents, so temps are a bit different. 100% clear, rolled out cattle tracks (footprints) and mowed @ .150" yesterday. The bent absolutely loves the shots of sun and 60 degree temps we have been getting. The most snow covered greens are the healthiest looking after the melt. The poa is just starting to push through. Snow mold only showed in a few choice areas. After the winter we had, which I loved, I'll take it.
   
   Just something from the past... I have seen greens covers or tarps and salamander heaters used to melt off ice / frozen silt from greens.
   
   Good luck!

   
   
   
   
9. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   3/16/2014 7:03 PM

   I would add our greens here in Riverwood, Northshore. area look just fine after the snow is melting back. The Poa/Bent hanging in fine after our record winter snowfall. We have finally been able to get back out around the course and do some tree work/ Loving ability to get back outside after a long winter of plowing, shoveling and indoor work! Still plenty of snow hanging in there in the deeper spot and a parking lot full of piles where we had to keep putting it as it piled up when plowing. However soon we will be thinking about tee times, fertility, topdressing and the joys of real spring in the air! Also our battle with Emerald Ash Borers is in full swing now too.
   
   GreggR