3/27/2018 - By Harrell's

Aerification is one of those tasks that must be done to maintain turf health, but you hate to do it because of the backlash you might get from some members/golfers due to the disruption in the playing surface.  Here are a few communication and agronomic solutions that have worked for many of our superintendent customers.

Communication

First, many of your customers don’t really know or completely understand the why and how of the aerification process.  If they know it is important to the health of the golf course as well as how the turf will look and play (throughout the season) for them, they might be a little more forgiving.  Some of you are putting together newsletters or announcements well in advance of aerification.  These proactive communication pieces describe the process in simple terms, show golfers what they will see on the course and most importantly outline the benefits to them.  Others of you are blogging about the process, while many of you make sure your owners, GM and Pro as well as Board members are familiar with the process and the urgency for executing.  Together you develop messages and responses for handling complaints to keep golfers informed and satisfied.  There is power and results in team consistency.  And you know keeping everyone in the loop and having more allies will make your job a little easier.

Quick Recovery is Possible after Aerification

With so many innovative products available, it is possible to aerify and shorten turf recovery time.  Superintendents who follow a successful preparation and recovery plan are able to quickly close up holes and get their playing surfaces back to member/golfers’ expectations.

Here’s what we have seen work on courses in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions:

Step 1: One Week Before Aerification(Some of you have also seen success by fertilizing 10 days before Aerification)

• Apply Fleet^TM at 8 oz/m to prepare your soil for increased irrigation. Fleet promotes the movement of water off the surface and reduces water repellency associated with topdressing mixes.

Step 2: Two Days Before Aerification: Pre-spray

• Preventatively apply – Fungicides and Plant Growth Regulator, if overseeding, increase PGR rates to facilitate seedling establishment.

Step 3: After Aerification: Apply Soil Amendments

• 0-0-50 POLYON^® – 4 lbs/1000 sq ft – Provides 2 lbs of Potassium per 1000 sq. ft. (18 week release).
• POLYON 0-0-50 is the only greens grade (100SGN) coated K available in the industry.
• And/or Nature Safe^® 8-3-5 – natural organic that promotes soil microbial activity.
• And/or Verde-Cal^TM – choose any number of products. Verde-Cal, Verde-Cal G and Verde-Cal K plus 0-0-19

Step 4: Two Days After Aerification: Recovery Spray for Agronomic and Aesthetic Benefits

• 18-3-6 (4 oz/m) + 12-0-0 (4 oz/m) + 4-0-0 Harrell’s Bio-MAX (4 oz/m) + Harrell’s Spray MAX PAR (16 oz/acre)

Others of you like this combination: Harrell’s Bio-MAX 12-0-10 (6oz/m) + Harrell’s Bio-MAX 7-7-7 (6oz/m) + Harrell’s Bio-MAX 4-0-0 (4oz/m) + Harrell’s Spray MAX PAR (16oz/acre).

For suggested products in your region, contact your Harrell’s Sales Representative.