Tennessee Turfgrass - April / May 2014

April/May 2014

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Technology Tools to Manage Putting Greens’ Surface Quality and Consistency

The Mechanics of Mowing Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS April/May 2014

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FEATURED ARTICLES

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TTA Member Profiles — Jason Pooler and Mark Williams TTA Award Winners — Chattanooga State Comm. College Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Field Cover Story — Technology Tools to Manage Greens Quality and Consistency Applied Research — The Mechanics of Mowing In the Landscape — Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

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DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President, Paul Carter, CGCS

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From the TVSTMA President, T.J. Derrick

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From the MTGCSA President, Steffie Safrit

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Calendar of Events

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Index of Advertisers

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The Tennessee Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright ©2014 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.

Tennessee Turfgrass is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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From the TT A President

Paul L. Carter

...And Away

We Go!!!

The

48th Annual TTA Conference and Tradeshow was a resounding success, as I have heard from several attendees. As always, some improvements can and should be made, and I assure you that we will be working on those in preparation for next year. The conference, as well as the Association, is YOURS, so please let us know what we can to do improve the TTA and its activities.

Probably the biggest announcement presented at the conference was made by Dr. Jim Brosnan of the University of Tennessee regarding the need for an updated Turfgrass Industry Survey in Tennessee.

As Dr. Brosnan explained during his presentation to the membership on the first day of the conference, the last survey dealing with the economic impact of the turfgrass industry in Tennessee was conducted in 1993. We, as an industry (golf courses, parks and rec, sports field management, sod production, lawn care professionals and educators), hold a substantial and important place in the economy

The miss

of this state. Sadly, we have no real hard numbers to back up a statement of this sort, and a time will come, probably in the very foreseeable future, where we will need real hard figures to show legislatures and other public interest groups what we contribute to the economy and livelihood of the State of Tennessee.

The mission of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association is to promote the turfgrass industry through education, scholarship and research. The TTA does a great job in providing education for our membership, in rewarding and supporting our members and students with our annual industry awards and scholarships, and continuing to provide much needed research funding to UT. All of these activities are great, but if the general public does not know about our efforts, or what we are bringing to the table, then we are simply “preaching to the choir.”

In 1993, the TTA contributed to the majority of the cost of the survey, which cost $75,000 to facilitate. The current proposed survey will cost $37,500,

with the reduction in cost being contributed to the increased availability of technology and not having to use hard mailing as was necessary in ’93. I, and other members of the TTA board, heard many positive remarks toward the Association funding a portion of this project, and we will be taking up the discussion of funding the survey at our next board meeting.

That is where your support of your local industry chapters, whether it is one of the three regional golf course superintendents associations or the STVMA or the lawn care sector, comes into play.

Active support and membership in these local/regional chapters provide the industry with an even larger voice and a greater presence.

Support for one another and for our industry is a must, and we must prepare ourselves for the days ahead.

Paul L. Carter, CGCS 2014–2015 President

ion of the Te nn essee Tur fg ra ss A s s o c i at i o n

To promote the turfgrass industry through education, scholarship and research.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

From the T VSTMA President

T.J. Derrick

Plan Now

for Summer Projects

By

now, I am sure that everyone is excited that spring’s warmer weather is finally here! While most high school and college sports are starting to slow down and youth leagues are in full swing, we begin to reflect on how the season has gone and how our fields are holding up from all of the play that has taken

place. Now’s the time to look ahead and plan summer projects — sodding and sprigging to irrigation fixes and aerification — that we often put off during the spring season when softball, baseball, lacrosse and soccer games are on our fields. Several sports turf managers that I have talked with over the last month or so have already begun this process and

made notes of what they plan to do this summer or when time allows to squeeze in normal cultural practices. The saying goes, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” So, let’s all get a head start and plan for success!

As we look ahead to the upcoming events, we are planning on doing a handson field day this summer in conjunction with Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA). This is something that we have had a lot of good feedback about, and we are excited about working with TRPA to offer this event.

You will receive information on location and dates via mail or email once we have finalized everything.

I would like to thank all of you who renewed your membership for 2014, but we still need more than just that. I want to ask that we all try to bring back some of our old members and keep pushing to gain new members. We all need to help grow this organization so that we have a network of peers that we can lean on and share ideas with, right here at home.

Until next time, I hope everyone has a great rest of the spring!

T.J. Derrick

2014–2015 TVSTMA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com www.ttaonline.org Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Editor Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Paul Carter, CGCS Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Vice President Theo Lankford Nashville Sports Leagues (615) 799-8664 Secretary/Treasurer Bill Marbet Southern Athletic Fields (931) 380-0023 Past President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Farms (731) 692-3515 Executive Secretary Jim Uden Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 591-8286 TTA 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Elliott Scott Freund Luke Hankins Cal Hill Joe Hill Timothy Long Mickey Lovett Mitch Parker Jason Pooler Jason Sanderson Sean VanHoose Doug Ward TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten

From the MTGCSA President

Steffie Safrit

Keeping the Momentum Going!

I

want to thank everyone this year for one of the best years the MTGCSA has ever had. Membership is growing, participation is growing, and the sense of ownership to the organization is high. Our goal in 2013 was to increase the involvement of the area superintendents at meetings and events — that was accomplished.

Our goal for 2014 is to continue that momentum and carry it a step further. This

year, the MTGCSA will create an Assistants’ MTGCSA Committee. Together, we know how important our assistants are to us on a daily basis, and their future should be just as important to us as our own future is to us. We, the board, want to offer opportunities for assistant superintendents to grow and learn in all facets of their lives as they progress towards becoming golf course superintendents.

The future for our turf industry and the MTGCSA organization is not based solely on the superintendent, but also on our assistants.

The 2014 board of directors for MTGCSA consists of Ben Harbin (vice president), Joe Kennedy, Scott Freund, Joe Galbreth, Matthew Powell, Bart Cash, Jarrod Kepple and Shelia Finney. The board has done a great deal in securing an exciting speaker line up this year for our meetings:

May 19 Old Fort Golf Club

September 22 Two Rivers Golf Club

October 20 Governors Club

November 11 Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club

The Middle Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association is excited and looking forward to another great year. Good luck to everyone for the upcoming season.

Steffie Safrit

2014 MTGCSA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

TTA Member Spotlig ht TTA Member Spotlight on

Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms Paris, TN

By Scott Boyle, UT Turfgrass Science and Management Communications Coordinator

Where did you attend college?

The school of hard knocks. After graduating in 1990 from Henry County High School in Paris, TN, I devoted myself to working our sod farm and reading as much research material pertaining to turfgrass as possible. Much of the knowledge I have gained has been through trial and error.

How long have you been a member of TTA? Since 1991.

Who have been your mentors in the industry?

Bob McCurdy of McCurdy Sod Farm (Dyer, TN) and Bobby Winstead of Winstead Sod Farms (Memphis, TN).

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working on the farm and being involved with the various turfgrasses and their production, and working with the many

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Jason Pooler of Tri-Turf Sod Farms, with his wife, Tina, and two sons, Preston (left) and Jacob (right).

great people who have chosen the turfgrass industry as their profession.

them to further their education in this great industry.

Have you won any job related awards? If so, what?

How has TTA enhanced your career?

• Tennessee Road Builders Association’s Annual Safety Award, 2006 The following are projects we completed that won awards for the owners: • West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex, Municipal Sports Field of the Year, 2011 • Union City Parks, National Sportsfield of the Year, 2009

What have been your contributions to the industry?

Each year we donate sod and labor to the St. Jude Dream Home in Paducah, KY. We work with local ballparks and schools on their fields, providing the local kids with professional-grade sports fields.

We have held many tours for the local schools with turfgrass programs, allowing

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

The knowledge that we gain from the classes at the annual conferences is invaluable. Being able to network with the other members of TTA has also proven to be a valuable asset that could not be found in any other location; much can be learned while having dinner and talking turf. The TTA magazine also provides usable knowledge from others in the industry who have had their share of “on the job training.”

Tell us a little about your family.

I am partners with Tina M. Pooler, not only in business but in life; we were married 23 years ago. We are the proud parents of two wonderful sons, Jacob, age 13, and Preston, age 9. We also have a yellow lab named Champ, the Tri-Turf mascot.

TTA Member Spotlig ht TTA Member Spotlight on

Mark Williams Lawn Doctor Clarksville, TN

Where did you attend college?

Auburn University (War Eagle) and Austin Peay State University. I graduated in 1986 with a degree in accounting/ agri/business.

How long have you been a member of TTA? 8 years.

What year did you get started in the turfgrass industry?

Who have been your mentors in the industry?

Although they were in a different industry, I have to say my grandfather and grandmother, who started the family business. They taught me a lot about running a business. My fellow franchisees also always have great advice.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

1994, with my own business. I worked in the industry during my younger years.

Meeting potential customers, educating the consumer and knowing that each day is going to be different than the last!

Why did you choose a career in the turfgrass industry?

Have you won any job-related awards?

Growing up, I worked in the maintenance and mowing side of the business, and that put me through college. I wasn’t aware of the care side of the equation until I got a job on a golf course in high school. After college, I was drawn into the family beer wholesale business. When I had the opportunity to move on, I decided to go back to doing what I liked.

Our team has received numerous Best of the Best Awards and Outstanding Franchisee.

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What have been your contributions to the industry?

By making sure all my technicians are certified and trained properly to service a property, I feel we are being responsible

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

to the environment. I also feel in the service industry, you are only as good as your word; so we make a commitment to stand behind our work.

How has TTA enhanced your career?

I have attended several TTA-hosted seminars that have been useful, informative and pertinent to our industry.

What are your hobbies?

I have been a very dedicated runner for 30+ years! I also enjoy relaxing with Juno, my English Mastiff.

Tell us a little about your family.

My wife, Marcia, and I have been married for 29 years. We have two sons: Brad, age 25, and Lee, age 23. Brad is part of our Lawn Doctor business. T

TTA Award W inners

Congratulations to TTA’s 2013

Collegiate Sports Field of the Year

Baseball Field of the Chattanooga State Tigers

By Liz Nutter, Managing Editor, Leading Edge Communications (publisher of Tennessee Turfgrass)

M

aintaining the field for the Chattanooga State Community College baseball team is truly a collaborative effort — not only are the coach, players and turfgrass faculty and students involved, but also faculty and students in other college departments pitch in to assist them. Many hands may make light work, but on this field, many hands create exceptional results. For this very reason, the field was named TTA’s 2013 Collegiate Sports Field of the Year.

Coordinating field-maintenance efforts is Casey Neal, instructor for the college’s Landscape and Turf Management pro-

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gram. With a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Mississippi State University, Neal was previously a landscape architect in private practice. Five years ago, just after he completed a large project, he answered a job posting for a temporary position at Chattanooga State, teaching landscaping and turfgrass for the summer term. Afterwards, he was offered the position full-time, and he has been there ever since.

“Originally, the Landscape and Turf Management program included very little turfgrass instruction, and the baseball field posed the potential for us to have an out-

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

door lab, with hands-on instruction,” Neal comments. “At the time, the coach and team were taking care of the field, but due to the team’s travel schedule, they simply weren’t able to give it the regular attention that it needed. Nor did they have a background in turfgrass. I felt that letting us help would be a win-win situation for everyone.”

The field was particularly helpful for Neal’s students since they could easily see some of its problems. For instance, although the field had a decent stand of bermudagrass, the outfield had areas of high weed pressure due to soil compaction. Also, the field lacked an irrigation system, and the infield had signification lip buildup.

Chattanooga State recently contracted with TruGreen for fertilization and herbicide applications. “This is something that we would eventually like to do ourselves.

Hopefully, in the next year or two, we will be able to get the equipment in place to be able to handle spraying efficiently,” Neal points out. “And, when the stadium was renovated a couple of years ago, irrigation was installed at the same time.”

When the students first began working on the field, they concentrated much of their efforts on cleaning up the edges of the infield and warning track.

“Over the years, overseeding was done with a spreader on the back of a tractor to overseed the field with ryegrass, and in places, the seed would get scattered onto the skinned areas and the warning track.

The edges got really jagged,” Neal says.

“We’ve also done some topdressing to level out the low spots where some of the irrigation lines settled.”

With those tasks accomplished, Neal’s students today primarily handle mowing the field and maintaining the mower, including adjustments and sharpening the reels. And, each spring, they do an audit of the irrigation system, tuning it up and making any needed repairs and/ or adjustments.

Neal’s field-maintenance program allows students from other disciplines to also contribute. “For instance, students in our Diesel Equipment Mechanics program and in our Motorcycle and Marine

Engine program help us with smallengine repairs. The welding shop has helped make repairs when things get broken. Our body shop is working to restore a donated mower. The maintenance department takes care of the area outside of the fence and the netting behind the backstop. The baseball team maintains the skinned areas,” Neal points out. “So now, instead of field maintenance sitting on the shoulders of only the coach and team, we have a group that allows each person to use his or her specialties to

improve part of the field, without overtaxing anyone. It gives more students more experience, and it keeps our equipment maintenance in-house. We’ve just found unique ways to get things done.”

Clearly, it’s an approach that works brilliantly. Not only is the field itself outstanding, but also many of Neal’s students have found careers in the turf industry.

Several are working at golf courses, a few have gone to parks positions, and one has recently been hired as assistant groundskeeper for the Chattanooga Lookouts. T

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

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TTA Award W inners

Hats Off to TTA’s 2013

Professional Sports Field of the Year

AT&T Field, Home of the Chattanooga Lookouts

By Liz Nutter, Managing Editor, Leading Edge Communications (publisher of Tennessee Turfgrass)

One

of the oldest minorleague baseball teams in the South (established in 1885), the Chattanooga Lookouts have been the double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2009. The team is one of ten in the Southern League, which also includes the Jackson Generals (Jackson, TN) and the Tennessee Smokies (Kodak, TN). At the recent TTA Conference and Tradeshow, the Lookouts’ home base, AT&T Field, was awarded the TTA’s 2013 Professional Sports Field of the Year.

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Perched atop Hawk Hill overlooking the Tennessee River, in downtown Chattanooga, AT&T Field was constructed in 1999–2000. TifSport bermudagrass covers the infield, with Tifway 419 in the outfield. “TifSport seems to play a bit smoother and faster, whereas 419 is a bit thicker so it can handle the traffic from the outfielders,” says head groundskeeper Brandon Moore.

Originally from Nashville, Moore earned his degree in turfgrass management in 2012 from Tennessee Tech Uni-

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

versity in Cookeville, TN. While there, he served for four seasons as manager of the school’s baseball team, performing maintenance on the Golden Eagles’ home field and traveling with the team to away games. “I was in charge of both the grass and the infield,” Moore comments.

“Traveling with the team gave me insight into the quality of fields around the region, as well as the types of field conditions that impact a team’s performance.”

While still in school, Moore worked for the Lookouts in the summers of 2011 and 2012. In fact, in 2012, he was an assistant on the team when AT&T Field was named the Southern League Field of the Year. After interning with the Boston Red Sox during the 2013 season, Moore returned to the Lookouts when the team’s then head groundskeeper, Joe Fitzgerald, was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training facility in Arizona.

To get the field ready for the season, Moore conducts most of the turf preparation the previous fall. “In September, we aerate, topdress and apply a slow-release fertilizer,” Moore says. “Then, in early spring, we apply a quick-release fertilizer to boost green-up. We don’t overseed, so we often paint the field in spring for the early games, if the bermudagrass has not come out of dormancy.”

CONTINUED Originally a sand-based field when opened in 2000, it has developed a bit of an organic-matter layer, which has created a few spots with drainage problems. Moore is addressing the situation with aggressive aeration. “We’ll probably aerate the whole field at least once during the season and then spot-aerate a couple of times in places like the edges around the infield, depending on the need,” he explains.

Moore works alone in the off-season but is joined by an assistant at the first of March; he typically looks for someone at a local college in a turf program who wants internship experience. The crew also includes several helpers on game days, and most of them also have a turfgrass background.

“We anticipate playing 70 home games this coming season, as well as about 20 to 30 additional games with high

school and college games,” Moore says.

“Many times, we open the field for fundraisers for local high schools (they buy so many tickets, and then sell them for a 25% profit). We also host a pre-season exhibition game between the Lookouts and the team at Chattanooga State Community College, which helps prep both

teams for the season and builds community support.”

On June 17, the Lookouts will host the 2014 Southern League All-Star Game at AT&T Field. The game will start at 7:15 p.m., with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. This is the first time the Lookouts have hosted the event since 2004. T

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

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Cover Story

to Manage Putting Surface Quality and Consistency

By Brandon Horvath, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Pathology, The University of Tennessee

E

verywhere we look these days, an electronic device is capable of providing us with information to figure out where we are going, what we have scheduled for the day, what someone’s contact info is, what that person is doing/thinking/feeling, etc. Not only can we get information, but also companies can get information about us, particularly about what we like and might be more willing to consider in a purchase. Whether we like it or not, this era of big data is here to stay.

The golf industry is no stranger to big data. Take ShotLink, for instance. Prior to ShotLink’s development, all of the statistics kept by the PGA Tour were done by hand using relatively easy calculations.

Did the player hit his/her drive in the fairway (fairways hit %)? If the player was in a bunker, did he get up and down (sand save %)? On tournament course holes where most of the field could be expected to use a driver, driving distance was measured for balls hit into the fairway. Putts were counted (total putts/round), and the number of putts taken per green hit in regulation (putts/GIR) was considered the gold standard in determining who was Boss of the Moss.

All of this information is still being collected, but now the PGA Tour uses lasers, spotters and GPS-surveyed golf courses to collect more data… lots more. In 2011, the Tour decided to adopt the statistic called “strokes gained,” which represents a measure based on the comparison of the player to the field at a given putting distance. A positive measure meant that regardless of the distance to the hole that the player played from, he/she was able to take fewer strokes on average than the field. Similarly, a negative number meant that the player was losing strokes to the field. This data wasn’t nearly as easy to capture until the PGA Tour started measuring every shot on the golf course using ShotLink. Enter big data.

We are also beginning to see the use of technologies that fit in the big-data category in golf course management. These technologies include moisture sensors, turf-quality measurements and GPSbased mapping of all this data. To effectively use these tools to make management interventions on the golf course, turf managers must be prepared to deal with the amount of data and what the data means.

Moisture meters Available today are several moisture meters, which measure the amount of water in the soil solution. For turf management, the meter should either use a TDR probe or a Theta probe. The TDR probe’s method can be prone to some inaccuracy from dissolved salts in the soil solution (like fertilizer salts), but as long as salt is not a major issue for you, the inaccuracy is relative and won’t affect your overall management decisions. The Theta probe is immune to the salt issues, but it tends to cost a bit more. These instruments range in cost from ~$600 to $1,800 depending upon the features, type of probe and software that might be included to assist with map development from a GPS unit tethered to the meter.

I recommend a probe size of 2" to 3", depending on the depth of the turf roots and the moisture you are trying to manage for plant growth.

When a dry period is predicted, let your greens dry down, and take regular measurements of all of the areas where you first see wilt or any other spots that cause problems. As the greens dry down, take note of when you spot the first sign of wilt and what the percent

Turf-quality sensors, like this NDVI sensor that is connected to a GPS unit, can be used to measure how “green” the turf is and detect signs of stress before they are visible. Simpler models are now available for superintendents as costs decline.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Cover Story moisture is found in that area. That will set the low point for your soil at your facility. Then, irrigate the greens until they reach a free-draining stage (when water runs freely out of the drain tile), and take measurements of the wettest areas on the golf course. This will be the top end of the moisture range and will generally represent the field capacity of the soil. Most sand-based putting greens will range from about 30% to 33% (field capacity), down to about 6% to 10% (wilt).

Your objective is to manage for daily play, with a moisture amount that is not so dry as to limit the growth and health of the plant, but also isn’t too wet, exposing the plant to pathogen attack or limited gas exchange. This percentage will generally be 18% to 22%.

At facilities that can hand-water, I recommend taking measurements about 2 p.m. This allows your facility to irrigate whole greens that evening that appear to be drying and need an overall irrigation event. It also allows for greens that have enough moisture overall to be handwatered the following morning in local areas that may need irrigation. The impact of this strategy also allows the manager to reduce overtime because as long as a green has 18% to 22% moisture, it shouldn’t be in danger of drying to a wilt point (except on rare very low-humidity days) by the time irrigation turns on in the evening. This virtually eliminates the need to have a hand-watering crew on site into the evening and results in an optimization of the water available for plant growth.

If your facility must rely on the overhead irrigation system to provide moisture except in the most extreme situations, I recommend taking measurements in mid-afternoon. This strategy will provide you with the information about whether a green needs a few minutes to bring moisture up to make it to the evening or whether the green can last until irrigation takes place later in the evening. You will also be able to get a good grasp on how long the irrigation system needs to run in the evening to raise it back to the optimum moisture, and you’ll also 24

Soil moisture sensors like this TDR probe can measure the amount of moisture in the soil and allow superintendents to optimize the moisture for their playing conditions and soil type. These sensors also allow for connections to GPS units that will allow these data to be mapped in order to detect historical trends or stress areas.

have a good idea about how many minutes are required to slightly raise the moisture to stave off wilt.

Both of these methods allow for significant water savings and prevent overwatering, which is a far worse situation for turfgrass health than if the soil is too dry. These methods also allow the superintendent to know that if a significant event is coming, he/she can bring the moisture down to a slightly lower amount without causing wilt or other problems, while also increasing the firmness and speed of the greens.

Turf-quality measurements A number of instruments have recently begun to be useful for evaluating turf quality and for identifying spots under stress before symptoms and turf loss occur. As with moisture meters, the goal is to optimize the health of the turf and identify areas that need attention. Achieving this will ultimately save money and reduce inputs because emergency measures won’t be required to “save” the turf cover.

These instruments work by measuring the light that is reflected or the color of the turf cover. This measurement generally produces a number that ranges from 0 to 1, where extremely healthy turf would measure approximately a 0.8. In our experience, turfgrass that begins to

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

drop into the low 0.7’s will soon begin to suffer stressed-based appearances.

Two or three instruments use reflected light to measure turf quality using an index called the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). These instruments can range in price from $800 to $4,000. Most are still out of reach for working superintendents, but at the lower range, some of these instruments may be affordable for some of the higherbudget facilities.

One possible instrument that is both user friendly and within reach of most budgets is the GreenIndex+ Turf app and measurement board from Spectrum Technologies. This product pairs an iOS app with a board that contains known gray, green and yellow colors. The app can then be used to image an area and determine the overall quality and green color of the turf and bring attention to areas that are beginning to show signs of decline. The app and board cost $98.99 and may be purchased through the Apple App Store and Spectrum Technologies website, respectively. This product has the ability to also geo-reference where images are taken, and it includes a number of other tools that provide flexibility to the end user.

All of these instruments are beginning to provide superintendents with the ability to assess the quality and health of the

Cover Story turf, and also help diagnose the reasons for why turf quality might be suffering.

When fungicide application costs for greens range into the thousands of dollars, these technology tools can pay for themselves relatively quickly.

Global positioning system This advanced technology is arguably so commonplace now that the true wonder of how GPS works is taken for granted. Imagine someone walking into your office and saying, “We are going to shoot a dozen or so really accurate atomic clocks that can broadcast their signals up into space.” Then, they proceed to explain how as a result of those clocks, and the fact that the distance between any of those clocks and your position on Earth varies in relation to their known orbits, they are capable of calculating your unique position anywhere on Earth. Then, imagine that they tell you they can calculate that down to an area the size of a quarter.

Mind blowing! But that is exactly what GPS does.

The accuracy of that measurement is what determines the cost of an instrument, where more accuracy = more money. To get to the quarter level of accuracy, the cost of those instruments is still in the multiple thousands of dollars. However, accuracy to the nearest 1 meter is around $100, and an instrument like that is very affordable for most golf course facilities.

Once you have a unit, any other data that is collected from other instruments can be geo-referenced and provide you with a map of values that allow you to make management decisions based on data. So, for any of the previous tools we’ve discussed, pairing those measurements up to a GPS unit that can georeference each measurement will allow you to evaluate each difficult situation with information about moisture, turf quality, shade, etc., at your fingertips.

Using the big data The challenge with big data is not only collecting these reams of information but also then making sense of what they are telling you. Right now, many companies are seeking to do just that. The 26

Software can be linked to various tools to map areas of concern on greens or other playing surfaces before areas show visible signs of stress.

major equipment manufacturers are trying to develop software that can be used as part of the irrigation system to map this type of information. Companies like SpecMeters also have software that allow you to put together maps and conduct basic summary statistics on that data. The SpecMaps Web Mapping Utility allows a user to map many of the pieces of information collected in order to show trends in data and see potential trouble spots before they occur.

Clearly, superintendents will continue to have an increasing set of tools that can provide a vast array of information that is important for making informed decisions about their putting surfaces before prob-

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

lems occur. How we handle that big data will determine if this information is a blessing or a curse. My belief is that necessity is the mother of invention, and an enterprising company or individual will produce a product that can bring all of this information together to allow a superintendent to evaluate what is happening on the course and then use the information to make important decisions about how to manage those areas so that the quality of the turf never suffers. In reality, that’s the curse for most superintendents: players often never know about what could have happened. They only know that things look and play great, just like they expected. T

Applied Researc h

The

Mechanics of Mowing

By Cory Yurisic and John Sorochan, Ph.D., The University of Tennessee

28

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A

lthough mowing keeps our turfgrass in top playable condition, it is actually considered to be one type of turf stress. Cleanly cut turfgrass will produce a more consistent playing surface and result in a higher shoot density. On the other hand, mowers that produce a poor-quality cut create turf that is not aesthetically appealing, and they can be detrimental to the overall health of the plant.

As the demand for high-performing putting greens has increased in the past few decades, several studies have been conducted to search for ways to increase quality of cut. In the past, frequency of clip (FOC) has been a popular topic of research and discussion. FOC is figured on reel-mower speed, the number of blades and the reel’s revolutions per minute (RPM), and it is used to determine the distance between clips. It has been shown that adjustments in FOC can actually allow superintendents to mow greens at a higher height while maintaining consistent green speeds.

Mowing frequency has also been studied with the hopes of improving overall turfgrass quality on putting greens. In a two-year study conducted by Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D., at Cornell University, the effects on putting green performance of six different walk-behind greens-mower types at various mowing frequencies were evaluated. Results from this study show that although there is very little difference between quality of turf and ball speed under varying mowing frequencies, double cutting more than twice per week can increase stress.

Keeping sharp blades and bedknives is one of the fundamental ways to maintain a clean, quality cut. Although the previously mentioned studies have looked at valuable ways to supplement well-maintained turf equipment, the question now is: What else can be done? To address this, a recent study at the University of Tennessee funded by Toro has examined the effects of behind center distance of reel cutting units.

Behind center distance (BCD) is a measurement of the distance from the shear point of the bedknife to the reel

Figure 1. This diagram represents an example of an aggressive cutting unit.

The red arrow indicates a steep angle of clip. Notice that the BCD distance is further back from the reel centerline. (Diagram courtesy of the Toro Company.)

Figure 2. This diagram represents an example of a less aggressive cutting unit.

The red arrow indicates a flatter angle of clip. Notice that the BCD distance is now closer to the reel centerline. (Diagram courtesy of the Toro Company.)

centerline (Figures 1 and 2). Some superintendents may be familiar with the terms “attitude” or “aggressiveness,” which refers to the angle of the bedknife in relation to the turf’s surface. What many turf managers don’t know, however, is that the bedknife angle and BCD are related. In general, a more aggressive mower will have a more extreme bedknife angle; thus, the BCD will be increased (Figure 1). On

the other hand, a less aggressive mower will tend to have a flatter bedknife angle and therefore, the BCD will be decreased (Figure 2).

In order for turf managers to create these variations in aggressiveness, Toro has designed the new Dual Point Adjustment (DPA) cutting units to be modified in several ways. First, a movable spacer on the rear roller mount can be posi-

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

29

Applied Research tioned above (non-aggressive position) or below (aggressive position) the frame, causing the unit to roll either forward or back slightly (depending on specifications), which creates a change in the bedknife angle. Second, an “aggressive” bedbar was designed, which allows the bedknife to attach at a steeper angle for use on aggressive setups. Last, either the Microcut bedknife or the Extended Microcut bedknife (offered by Toro) can be mounted on the bedbar to help further adjust the overall BCD setting.

In theory, a cutting unit with an aggressive setup is able to extend the edges of its blades further into the turf’s canopy.

This will result in the unit’s ability to gather more turfgrass as it rotates toward the bedknife shear point. The fact that the reel blades are approaching the bedknife at an aggressive angle can potentially result in a more crisp and clean cut. Conversely, a less aggressive cutting unit is

30

configured so that the blades approach the bedknife at a more horizontal direction and will not gather the turfgrass as cleanly.

Our research The long term benefits (or drawbacks) of using either an aggressive or nonaggressive mower were not fully understood prior to the BCD aggressiveness study, which is why the goal of the study was to determine what, if any, effects differing BCD settings had on the performance and quality of a putting green. Separate studies were run on two different species of turfgrass throughout the spring and summer of 2013 at the University of Tennessee. Six BCD treatments were laid out on a sand-based ‘V8’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolinifera) putting green and on a native-soil ‘TifEagle’ ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis)

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

putting green at the University of Tennessee’s East Tennessee Research and Education Center. All plots were mown using Toro Greensmaster eflex 2100 tractors with 11-blade floating head DPA cutting units.

Sometimes, there can be inconsistencies between bench height of cut (the height you set the reel to, using the height gauge) and effective height of cut (the height the grass is actually being cut at).

Several factors can create these discrepancies, one being the BCD setting of the cutting unit. Before initiating the trial, all six cutting units were set to a consistent effective height of cut (HOC) of 0.125".

To do this, the control unit (BCD .164 @ 0.125" bench HOC) was used to mow the entire green area first. Then, the other five units’ effective HOC were checked against the control unit’s height by making a perpendicular pass to the direction of the control. Differences in effective

CONTINU ED HOC were then compared visually using a prism gauge, and adjustments were made to the bench HOC of each treatment accordingly.

It should be noted that changes in height are inversely related to the reel’s BCD. It is estimated that an increase in mowing height (on the front roller) will decrease the BCD by half the height change, whereas a decrease in mowing height will increase the BCD by the same ratio. The treatments with their adjusted bench settings can be seen in Table 1.

Several parameters were tested throughout the study; however, the most peculiar interactions were discovered between ball speeds, clipping collections and topdressing sand pickup. The following discussion will take a closer look at these three parameters and how they relate to maintaining quality turf.

Ball speed was measured using the USGA stimpmeter, taking the average total distance of three ball rolls in a forward and backward direction. The average of the two directions was then calculated to determine the total speed for each plot. Clipping analysis was achieved by collecting clippings out of the mower

buckets after mowing each individual plot. Clippings were placed in a drying oven for 48 hours at 72ºC, and the dry weight was recorded. Topdressing sand picked up by the reels was gathered from the buckets after mowing each plot. All sand samples were placed in an ashing oven for 48 hours at 525ºC to burn away grass clippings and other organic materials, and then weighed.

All plots were sprayed with fungicides on a preventative basis to avoid extensive turf losses during the summer months.

Foliar nitrogen at a rate of 0.125 lb. N/ 1,000 ft² and Trinexepac-ethyl at a rate of 0.125 fl. oz./1,000 ft² were applied to all plots on a biweekly schedule. Sand topdressing was applied to all plots at a rate of 85 kg/1,000 ft² every two weeks with USGA spec sand. Sand collections were taken the day following topdressing after the sand had been lightly dragged and irrigated into the canopy. The UT turfgrass research facility received aboveaverage rainfall (~ 24") throughout the trial period; therefore, data collection and mowing dates were periodically either postponed or hastened until conditions became more ideal.

Our results The following data presented from the study were found to be analogous between each of the two turfgrass species upon which this research was carried out.

Therefore, for the sake of simplifying these data for a single report, results will be presented as a general overview for both putting green species. Any significant differences specific to a particular species will be noted below as necessary.

Ball roll For the vast majority of green-speed testing, ball-roll distances were found to be very comparable between all six treatments. Since the effective HOC was set to be the same on all cutting units, and all other management practices were kept identical for all plots, this result was anticipated.

Clippings Dry clipping weights were also revealed to be fairly similar throughout the study.

However, when averaged across all collection dates, the most aggressive treatment (#1) and treatment #6 (the FCD unit) appeared to pick up the most

Table 1 shows the actual BCD for each treatment, based on the adjustment in bench HOC required to achieve an effective HOC of 0.125" for each cutting unit. All plots were mowed using Toro DPA cutting units attached to Toro Greensmaster eflex 2100 tractors. Treatment #4, considered to be a standard BCD setup for greens, required no change in bench-height setting to produce an effective HOC of 0.125". Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were considered to be more aggressive, and heights were raised as necessary. Treatments 5 and 6 were considered less aggressive, and their heights were lowered as necessary.

Treatment #

Bench HOC adjustment from control @ 0.125"

Adjusted Bench HOC

Actual BCD

#1

+ 0.015"

0.140"

0.385"

#2

+0.010"

0.135"

0.274"

#3

+0.005"

0.130"

0.187"

#4 (control)

No adjustment

0.125"

0.164"

#5

-0.005"

0.120"

0.082"

#6

-0.007"

0.118"

-0.029" (FCD)*

* Note that treatment 6 has a negative BCD value, which indicates that the shear point actually precedes the centerline and was thus given the designation “Forward Center Distance” (FCD).

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

31

Applied Research Figure 3. Average Clippings 6/14/2013 – 10/14/2013

clippings. The second-most-aggressive unit and treatment #5 picked up the least amount of clippings (Figure 3).

This result helps support the theory that an aggressive mower gathers more turfgrass and produces a cleaner cut, whereas the less aggressive cutting units do not gather as much, leaving a higher number of uncut grass blades or “stragglers” behind. Considering the fact that green speeds were highly consistent between all treatments, these results also suggest that the presence of at least some stragglers does not significantly impact green speeds.

Sand pickup Figure 4. Sand Collection

Figure 5: Sand vs. Clipping Comparison for 10/7/2013

32

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Perhaps the most intriguing parameter of this study was seen in the topdressing sand pickup analysis. It was discovered that the most aggressive cutting unit picked up a considerably larger volume of sand than the less aggressive treatments did. On one rating date, nearly 5% of the total applied topdressing sand was picked up by treatment #1, while treatment #5 picked up only 0.20%. This equates to over 19 times more sand picked up by the #1 treatment than the #5 cutting unit.

When compared to the control BCD setup, the #5 cutting unit picked up over 35 grams less sand than the control (Figure 4). Averaging sand pickup across all nine collection dates revealed that treatment #5 picked up nine times less sand than treatment #1 and over three-and-ahalf times less than the control unit.

It is proposed that since more aggressive cutting units’ blades are extending further into the canopy, it enables the reel to essentially “sweep” more sand back toward the bedknife. For a non-aggressive BCD setting, there is less room for this action to occur; therefore, the sand within the turfgrass canopy is disturbed less. The amount of sand getting swept back into the bedknife decreases as you decrease the BCD, as can be observed in figure 5. Note the fairly significant changes in sand collection from one treatment to the next, as opposed to clipping collection, which remained relatively constant for each treatment. This is a good indication that BCD affects sand

CONTINUED pickup to a greater degree than clipping collection.

The total putting green area mowed for each treatment per day was 432 ft², which is only a fraction of the size of today’s average golf course putting green. A typical greens mower at a golf facility will cut much more putting green area per day, meaning that the mower will be subject to more sand passing through its reels than the mowers used for this study. Sand particles passing between the metal surfaces of the bedknife and the reel will cause abrasive damage to both components. If time is not spent to restore sharp reel and bedknife edges, the reel’s quality of cut will deteriorate, resulting in poor quality turf. Here, the data suggests that mowing with a BCD setup of .082" will significantly reduce the amount of sand that passes through the reel compared to aggressive BCD setups, which can lead to better sustained mower performance when mowing after topdressing.

Considerations For superintendents, there are now several factors to consider when deciding how aggressive their greens mowers should be to get the best possible quality of cut. An aggressive BCD set up can provide a cleaner cut; however, if topdressing sand has been applied, it can be expected that up to 5% of it will be picked up by the reel and completely removed from the surface. Not only will there be the loss of expensive sand, but also a loss in time for equipment technicians, with the need for more frequent reel maintenance.

If deciding to mow greens with a nonaggressive BCD setup, the presence of stragglers can detract from the overall quality of cut. Nevertheless, it has been shown that a BCD setting of .082" can produce comparable green speed to a more aggressive cutting unit, while prolonging the life of the reel with less sand pickup. It can be said that both aggressive and non-aggressive mowers have their strengths and weaknesses, but with the ability to tailor BCD to suit their needs, superintendents now have more options to choose from to help keep their putting greens in the best shape possible. T

In the Landscap e

Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

By Tom Samples, Ph.D., John Sorochan, Ph.D., and John Parham, The University of Tennessee Figure 1. Surface water protection triangle.

Figure 2. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map of Tennessee

34

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N

ative grasses are planted in Tennessee landscapes for several reasons. They can be used to provide nesting habitat for birds, attract wildlife, control erosion, reduce maintenance costs, improve plant diversity and add seasonal color. Some, such as side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) are relatively short, reaching a height of ~36 inches at maturity. Others, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), are tall and may reach a height of more than 6 feet. Leaf texture, color and variegation also often vary among species and varieties. For example, in summer the leaves of Mexican feather grass (Nasella tenuissima) are yellow or golden, while those of bitter panic grass (Panicum amarum) are grayish-green. Mexican feather grass also has very slender leaves, while the leaves of giant reed grass (Arundo donax) are coarse, often 2 or more inches wide.

Several species, including little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), thrive in clayey, fine-textured soils low in fertility. Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) is best adapted in well-drained soils. As its name implies, the warmseason native species woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is tolerant of shade and grows in forests. Many motorists are very familiar with broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), a species they observe growing along the state’s highways.

Several species of native warm- and cool-season grasses are often planted along with trees and shrubs in buffer

strips next to streams, lakes and ponds (Figure 1). These grasses are especially effective in reducing the flow rate of water across the surface, improving water infiltration into the soil and filtering sediment and chemicals that threaten water quality (Table 1).

In 2012, The United States Department of Agriculture introduced a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map. It serves as a standard by which green-industry professionals and others can predict what plant species are most likely to survive extreme low temperatures at a given location (Figure 2).

A short summary of characteristics of several native grasses follows. Much

Table 1. Trees, shrubs and grasses can be used in riparian buffers to protect or improve water quality in lakes, streams and ponds.

Purpose

Trees

Shrubs

Grasses

Filter sediment

Low

Low

High

Filter chemicals

Low

Low

Medium

Stabilize stream banks

High

High

Low

Intercept runoff

High

High

High

Medium

Medium

High

Rate of water infiltration

of this information is available online at http://plants.usda.gov/java/, the USDA

Natural Resources Conservation Resources Service website. T

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) USDA Hardiness Zones

4 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

155

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

20 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

6 feet

‘Earl’ ‘Kaw’ ‘Niagara’ ‘Ozark’ ‘Pawnee’ ‘Rountree’

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

6.0 – 7.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) USDA Hardiness Zones

3–9

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

100

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

14 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

‘Aldous’ ‘Badlands’ ‘Blaze’ ‘Camper’ ‘Cimarron’ ‘Pastura’

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 8.4

Fertility requirement

Low

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

35

In the Landscap e Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus) USDA Hardiness Zones

5 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

135

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

14 inches

Bloom period

Late spring

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Drought tolerance

Medium

Adapted to coarse-textured soils No Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.9 – 7.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Active growth period

Summer and Fall Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

24 inches

Bloom period

Spring to Fall

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 6 feet or more

‘Americus’ ‘Cheyenne’ ‘Holt’ ‘Liano’ ‘Lometa’ ‘Nebraska 54’ ‘Osage’ ‘Oto’ ‘Pawnee’ ‘Rumsey’ ‘Tomahawk’

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soil Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.8 – 8.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)

36

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Root depth

May reach 3 feet

Flower color

White

Varieties

None

Bloom period

Summer

Foliage texture

Fine

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 2 feet

Adaptation: Soil

Rocky slopes and dry, welldrained soils

Soil pH range

6.0 – 7.0 preferred

Fertility requirement

Low

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CONTINU ED Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries) USDA Hardiness Zones

5 – 10

Drought tolerance

Low

Active growth period

Spring and Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Red

Root depth, minimum

9 inches

Bloom period

Fall

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Fine

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.8 – 6.8

Fertility requirement

Low

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) USDA Hardiness Zones

4–7

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

90

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

12 inches

Bloom period

Spring

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 3 feet

‘Butte’ ‘El Reno’ ‘Haskell’ ‘Killdeer’ ‘Niner’ ‘Pierre’ ‘Premier’ ‘Trailway’ ‘Vaughn’

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.5 – 8.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

12 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 5 feet or more

‘Alamo’ ‘Blackwell’ ‘Cave-in-Rock’ ‘Dakotah’ ‘Forestburg’ ‘Grenville’ ‘Heavy Metal’ ‘Kanlow’ ‘Nebraska 28’ ‘Northwind’ ‘Pathfinder’ ‘Shelter’ ‘Summer’ ‘Trailblazer’

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.5 – 8.0

Fertility requirement

Low to Medium

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

37

In the Landscap e Woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Spring and Fall

Frost-free days, minimum

160 days

Flower color

Green

Root depth, minimum

10 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Fine–Medium

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 4 feet or more

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 7.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Bitter Panicgrass (Panicum amarum) USDA Hardiness Zones

3–9

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

180

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

16 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

‘Atlantic’ ‘Dewey Blue’ ‘Northpa’ ‘Southpa’

Mature height

~ 5 feet

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 7.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectina) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Low

Active growth period

Spring to Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

110

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

18 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

‘Aureomarginata’

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 8 feet

Adapted to coarse-textured soils Yes Adapted to medium-textured soils Yes

38

Adapted to fine-textured soils

No

Soil pH range

6.0 – 8.5

Fertility requirement

Medium

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Calend ar of Events May 12 MAGCSA Meeting

The Links at Cottonwood Tunica, MS

May 19 MTGCSA Meeting Old Fort Golf Club Murfreesboro, TN

June 9 ETGCSA Meeting

Wind River Golf Club Lenoir, TN

July 8 ETGCSA Meeting

Millstone Golf Course Morristown, TN

June 23 MAGCSA Meeting

Germantown Country Club Germantown, TN

JULY 27–29 PLANET Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, D.C.

July 29 – August 1 TPI Summer Convention & Field Days Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA

Digital Marketp lace

August 5 ETGCSA Meeting

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone, and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

Cattails at Meadowview Golf Course Kingsport, TN

September 11 UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day East TN Research & Education Center/ Plant Sciences Unit Knoxville, TN

October 14–16 NRPA Congress and Expo

(Nat. Parks & Rec. Assn.)

Charlotte Convention Ctr. Charlotte, NC

October 22–25 School of Grounds Management and Green Industry Expo

Galt House Hotel and Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

January 5–7, 2015 49th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN

Index o f Advertisers Barenbrug USA....................................... Back Cover www.barusa.com Bayer....................................................................... 9 www.bayerprocentral.com Buy Sod........................................ Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com BWI Companies.................................................... 15 www.bwicompanies.com Covermaster, Inc................................................... 15 www.covermaster.com Ewing Irrigation....................................................... 5 www.ewing1.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc............................... 25 www.greenvilleturf.com John Deere Landscapes........................................ 12 www.johndeerelandscapes.com 40

JRM, Inc................................................................ 17 www.jrmonline.com Kesmac Brouwer................................................... 39 www.kesmac.com Lebanon Turf....................................................... 2, 3 www.lebturf.com Mid Tenn Turf, Inc.......................................... 33, 40 www.midtennturf.com Modern Turf, Inc................................................... 33 www.modernturf.com NewLife Turf, Inc.................................................. 13 www.newlifeturf.com RD Murphy, LLC.................................................... 11 www.rdmurphy.com Select Source........................................................ 11 www.selectsourcellc.net

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Sigma Organics, Inc.............................................. 21 www.SigmaTurf.com Smith Seed Services............................................. 40 www.smithseed.com Sur Line Turf.......................................................... 19 www.surlineturf.com Syngenta Turf........................................................ 21 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com The Turfgrass Group......................................... 7, 27 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Tri-Turf Sod Farms................................................ 40 www.triturfsod.com Turface Athletics................................................... 30 www.profileproducts.com Turfgrass of Tennessee........................................ 10 Winstead Turf......................................................... 4 www.winsteadturffarms.com