12/27/2022 - By JJ Jansen

As I sit here and write this in the middle of winter, it is cold, the turf is dormant, and leaves have fallen off the trees. Christmas is right around the corner, and all our decorations are up both inside and outside of our house, and I must admit, anything related to turf is the last thing on my mind.

Yes, I am thinking of 2023.

I’ve already written down certain personal and work-related goals.

I have reflected on 2022, and the successes and failures we had.

What can we do to learn from our mistakes and what can we do to make our successes better? That of course is the question, but it can all wait though. We have the best holiday ever taking place right now, and this is my favorite time of the year.

Tis the Season for Rest

I love the cold weather, and even though we don’t get that cold here in Texas, it is a nice relief from the brutal summer heat we endure. I literally dream of these December days come the end of August after the brutal heat of summer. Christmas to me isn’t about presents anymore, it's so much more.

I have two kids, ages 6 and 4, and seeing Christmas through their eyes brings me pure joy. My son literally sings Christmas music non-stop, talks about Santa all the time, and wants to go see lights on a nightly basis. This is the time of the year to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to give, and to spend time with our family and friends. Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas?

I use this time of the year to recharge my batteries, especially after a very busy EOP season we all need some rest. Going back to my superintendent days, this was when we slowed down tremendously, and I didn’t have to worry about if the irrigation ran that night, or how the greens would respond to numerous days above 100 degrees without any rainfall. This was when projects took place, like trimming trees, re-staining tee markers, and making sure all our equipment was in good shape and ready for the next year.

Using the Golf Offseason to Prepare for the New Year is Important

One of these projects was always cleaning our spray rigs. A good option for making sure all your spray rigs are cleaned up and ready to go is Harrell's SprayMAX® Pigment Cleaner Plus. This product is ready to use, and no dilution is needed. Just apply Pigment Cleaner Plus liberally to the area you want to clean, wait approximately 60-120 seconds, brush, and rinse. It can also be used on sprinkler heads, cart paths, and any other hard surfaces, excluding marble, soft stone, granite, or unfinished aluminum.

Harrell's is Here to Help

This season is also a good time to meet with your local Harrell's Representative to make sure your programs and products are ready to go for 2023, your pre-emergents are decided and any questions you have for things coming up are answered. Never be hesitant to reach out, we're here to help!

Some Fun Christmas/Winter Recommendations!

Now back to the holiday season! Use this time of the year to do a cookout or lunch for your crew and staff. Show them how much you appreciate their hard work throughout the year and reward them with something fun. I would also encourage you to volunteer your time if you can and give to others, there are a lot of programs set in place to help others. This could be your family going shopping together to buy gifts for someone else, volunteering your time to serve a meal at your local homeless shelter, or inviting someone into your home that you know who might be alone and need some family around them.

This is the season for giving and let’s pay it forward! Now, remember to also watch all the staple holiday/winter movies…Elf, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Miracle on 34^th Street, The Grinch, and Die Hard (yes, this is a Christmas movie).

Most importantly just have fun, relax, recharge, and enjoy this holiday season with family and friends.