The
forecast has our attention. The ‘10 day’ has all superintendents and
staff gearing up. As far as the eye can see, for the next ten days,
daytime highs are to be as hot as it gets. In Chicago that means highs
will reach 90° or more. Midsummer is our worst enemy as far as
management of cool-season turfgrass goes. It is just too hot for it’s
life to be normal. Our saving grace is that we are to remain dry (no
scary thunderstorms). Believe it or not, to have control of water input
by judicious measurement we have a better chance at maintaining plant
health. Still, there is no way around the fact that physiological
decline is now in place. High temperature causes shallow roots and an
imbalance between photosynthesis and respiration. A slow starvation of
plant carbohydrate fuels is now occurring.
This
week Chicago courses adjusted by raising mowing heights and reducing
rolling of golf putting surfaces. On the human side, the national
weather service put out a warning.
In part it said, “Heat and humidity will build this weekend. Heat
indices will likely climb to around 100° and probably around 105° by
Monday.” That news spells trouble for all organisms that utilize and
manage water for cellular life. That includes us. Folks outdoors need
to show good diligence and take measures to stay well hydrated.
Meanwhile, we’ll spend long hours managing the greens. Midsummer is
here and the heat is on.
Have a good weekend and be careful…in the heat.
Derek
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program
Chicago District Golf Association
