~~The following is the C.D.G.A. scouting report as posted by Derek Settle, PhD~~
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August 19, 2011 Scouting Report
August Is Nice and Dry: The Unusual, Summer Patch, Pythium Blight, Dollar Spot, Fairy Ring Returns and Tim says Spoon-feeding
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle - DSettle@cdga.org/Weather Blog
It's
dry and we like it. Maybe we shouldn't so much but you have to
understand it distances our memory of July's flood. July was THE month
that really challanged us with rain, more rain, and rain. It happened at
peak summer heat when kids stay near the pool. Since that time kids are
back in school, sorry Nathaniel, and we've begun to notice a change or
two. Day length continues to shrink and now lasts about 13.5 hours. For
example, today's light began at 6:02 am and ends at 7:47 pm. Our longest
summer day saw the sun's rays from 5:15 am to 8:30 pm. It means we
continue to cool and at 2 inches the soil temp now reads 73° - down from
85.5° on July 21st.
Still there is trouble in the landscape. I
continue to make frequent visits to help superintendents identify the
strange. Things like Pythium blight where it shouldn't be (triggered by
last weekend's storms). Or creeping bentgrass that just won't act right
(still on physiological vacation) since it's now over watered by having
to baby Poa no-roots annua on the same green. Or summer patch gone wild
across much of a fairway or even down the middle of a couple greens. Or
type 1 fairy ring causing dead rings on a green. Still, as long as we
remain vigilant it's going to be ok because this growing season is
cooling. Golfers continue to enjoy a wonderful period without rain -
meanwhile, we just have to look after those roots. Dear Roots, please
grow.
Click here to view the August 19, 2011 Scouting Report.
Have a nice August weekend!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program |
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