Fighting Drought

By Bud White, Director, Mid-Continent Region
September 8, 2009

Many areas of the Mid-Continent Region remain in a record-setting rainfall shortage. With fall upon us, this deficiency is a concern for the long term health of bermudagrass.

A few points to remember:

• Apply potash to bermudagrass now for winter hardiness.
• Bermudagrass going into dormancy under drought stress is subject to greater winter damage.
• Ask if more cart control is needed in stressed areas. Traffic increases damage of drought-stressed bermudagrass.
• Consider reducing overseeding when water is limited or if drought is significant.

Salt accumulations also increase in drought conditions where salts in irrigation water are a problem. Have you tested your water and soil lately? Do you need to apply gypsum and then flush the soil before fall? Slicing fairways, immediate roughs, approaches, tees, etc., before a gypsum application and the subsequent flushing produces much better results without disruption to golfers.

Do not to take these drought scenarios lightly. Address the bermudagrass and soil shortcomings now to best prepare for fall.

If you would like more information about a Turf Advisory Service visit, please contact either of the Mid-Continent regional offices: Bud White, (972) 662-1138 or (budwhite@usga.org) and Ty McClellan, tmcclellan@usga.org or (630) 340-5853. We look forward to being of service to you and your golf course.