With the arrival of daylight saving time, many golf course superintendents across the Southeast are making final preparations for winter. One of the most effective and economical practices during this period is implementing a turf colorant program on closely mown turf. This is a practical and cost-effective alternative to overseeding. When warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass begin entering dormancy and losing their natural green color, pigments offer an immediate and visually appealing way to maintain course aesthetics and definition without introducing competition from overseeding.
Strategic planning and application technique play a critical role in achieving uniform coverage and desired surface outcomes. For best results, I recommend changing the direction of passes for each colorant application to avoid streaking and ensure even color distribution across the turf canopy. If retaining strong color is a priority, maintain a steady two-week reapplication schedule rather than stretching out intervals. Proper sprayer calibration, selection of nozzles, pressure settings and spray volume will enhance coverage consistency and colorant longevity.
Winter colorant applications also present an opportunity to incorporate preventive fungicides and fertility into the tank-mix. These treatments help maintain turf strength to combat heavy winter play and set the stage for a strong spring greenup. Adding certain micronutrients to the initial colorant applications prior to full dormancy can also help improve color retention. Additionally, superintendents can enhance these winter sprays by adding wetting agents for improved soil moisture management. Maintaining adequate soil moisture during dormancy helps prevent localized dry spots and supports the playing surfaces through fluctuating winter conditions.
Another key component of a successful turf colorant program is traffic control. Cart traffic accelerates the loss of color and increases the need for reapplication, so managing traffic is important. Minimizing traffic damage on dormant warm-season turf also helps preserve surface quality and results in a smoother transition into spring. Additional days of cart path only and rotating access points regularly through the winter will help you get the most from your colorant program and reduce the amount of overall traffic damage.
Turf colorant programs have become a cornerstone of modern winter management at many courses in the Southeast. When applied with precision and paired with proper soil moisture and traffic control strategies, colorants help maintain both the appearance and integrity of closely mown areas throughout the colder months.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org