Protecting the flowers

It is annual planting season again.  We always wait until after Mother's Day to plant annuals, hoping to escape the threat of frost.  This year, just like last, we had a late frost.  Last year it was May 13 - we got down to 31 degrees.  This morning we had a heavy frost again, causing us to take precautions to protect the annuals that were already planted.

Trash bags are helping hold the heat it, fighting off the frost.

In areas where we had irrigation, we just rain the water.  The warm water also keeps the frost off.

Frost damage

You may have noticed on your home lawn some browning of the turf in the last week.  This was due to the heavy frost/freezing we saw last week Wednesday.  We are seeing some general browning of the rough out on the golf course, again - due to the frost.  The tips of the grass blades are the only part of the plant affected and will grow out of the damage within a few weeks.  Below is a link to a video explaining the damage:

Frost damage video link

Here you can see where the snow from last Tuesday insulated the turf from the freezing temps on that following Wednesday.  We are seeing this on almost all the green and tee banks.  It looks like we stripped it with fertilizer - this was all mother nature.

 

 

Frost and irrigation blow out

Today was the first frost of many to come.  It looks like the next 6 days will have some sort of frost delay based on the temps that are forecast.  Traffic on frozen turf causes damage to the cells within the plant, therefore we don't allow any traffic until the threat of frost is gone.  When we have a frost delay, the grounds crew can't drive on the grass either, this is why we have lengthy delays on certain days - we need time to prepare the course for the members before they tee off. 

Today was irrigation blow-out day.  Based on the forecast, we went a little earlier than most years and blew out our irrigation system to beat the freezing temps that are coming.  Because of where our pumps sit and the fact that they are exposed to the elements puts them in jeopardy of the freezing temps.  We don't want any of the exposed piping to freeze and cause problems. 

Every head is blown out until a mist is present.

This year we had three air compressors running throughout the course.  We were able to pick up the compressors at 7:00am, cycle through the entire property twice and have the compressors returned by 3:30pm.  It was a productive day.

 

Tomorrow we will be blowing out our fresh water lines - the 1st tee water station, 1/2 way house, pool house, tennis courts and our wash pad.

 

Frost projects

This morning we had heavy frost again.  Here is what we were able to accomplish:

The hedge row between the range tee and the chipping area needed to be trimmed.

We cut a good 8 feet off the hedge.

After all the debris was cleaned up, it looks great.

Then there is our staple frost job - splitting wood.  We delivered three loads of wood to members yesterday.

Frost days

On mornings that we have frost on the golf course, there are always a few housekeeping tasks that can be completed such as cleaning the shop, sweeping out the barns and doing work around the clubhouse.  We also split wood during frosty mornings and throughout the winter.  This wood is then sold to the members that would like to use it for campfires during the summer or in their wood stoves over the winter.  Although we don't make a profit on this operation, it does keep us busy while making a little cash for the club during the slower periods.

Frost

We have had multiple frost delays in the last few weeks.  I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding of the later tee times.  Those that have never seen the damage that traffic on frost can do may not understand why the delay.  Grass is made up of mostly water.  When the dew freezes on the ground (frost) the water in the plant also freezes.  When you step on a frozen plant, the ice crystals will puncture the cell walls of the plant and injure or kill the plant.  This can be seen the next day by purple colored grass anywhere frost damage has occurred.  To prevent injury to the golf course, delays are necessary.

Frost Damage (not at FCC)

This is the average amount of footsteps taken by a foursome on one green.  You can imagine the damage that could be done by a few groups playing in the frost.



If you show up to the Club for your regularly scheduled tee time and find that your tee time has been pushed back, you may look out the window and notice the frost is gone but nobody is golfing.  Remember that the Grounds staff still has to prepare the course for the day.  We can not get out until the frost is gone either.  That is why we don't allow tee times until 1-2 hours after the frost is gone.