4/27/2021

As ridiculous as it may seem, now is a good time to begin planning for winter color. But not for the winter in 2021... for winter color in 2022.  As has been previously mentioned in the Harrell's blog, there is going to be a ryegrass seed shortage in the fall due to new acquisitions and high demand. That shortage will result in much higher seed prices. So then why does that make now the ideal time to start planning so far in advance? Well, if we’ve learned anything from our friends at the Durham Bulls Baseball Club over the last few years, it’s that winter color without overseeding starts in the spring, with a POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer application. Read more about their experience, and success story.

Utilizing a Balanced Approach to turf management isn’t the only key part of winter color planning, there are many critical pieces to ensuring a healthy turf throughout the winter season.  The use of pigments and other colorants are critical when the cold sets in and grass color shifts. Heritage Club Golf Course in South Carolina did some awesome work with Dormant Green (the predecessor to Harrell’s SprayMAX® Dormant Green® Plus) which is a staple in any non-overseeded winter color program.

A Balanced Approach, and the use of colorants still may not be enough if your turf will experience heavy traffic over the winter. Spring sports fields like lacrosse and baseball, as well as golf tees for example, experience a lot of traffic. If you find yourself in this category, consider adding a low seeding rate (~3-5lbsPLS/M) of perennial ryegrass to your winter plan. That low seeding rate should allow you to stripe your turf, while providing at least a small amount of recovery to those heavily trafficked areas.

For more information on any and all products and programs you may need to prepare your turf for this winter, head over to the Harell’s website and speak to your Sales Representative.