Solid Tine Aerification

For the past six seasons, a sand injection process called Dryject has essentially replaced the conventional method of core aerification on greens. Sand and water injected at high pressure deposits a four to five inch column of sand below the green surface. 

The Dryject method of aerification is well suited for depositing materials below the green surface and not necessarily for amending the surface.  As a result, immediately below the surface of the green, an organic layer is forming that requires a different method of aerification and management. (fig.1)  The layer consists of dense plant shoots, roots, and organic matter, which slows the downward movement of water keeping the surface soft.

Consequently, starting this fall and again next spring, the greens will undergo a solid tine aerification, which is slightly more disruptive than the Dryject process but less disruptive than core aeration. And, because the process does not produce any cores, the solid tine method is less costly.  Recent research suggests that core and solid aerification produce the same agronomic benefits such as organic matter reduction, soil aeration, and improved downward water movement.  As the process repeats biannually each season the layer will eventually disappear and the greens will become firmer.  However, if past experiences are any indicator, the green surfaces should begin to firm up immediately next season.            

Fig. 1

Solid Tine

New Aerification Record

With a devoted and skilled staff, perfect weather conditions, proper soil moisture, and borrowed equipment, we completed 34 acres of fairway aerification in 14 hours.  In addition to aerification, the fairways received approximately a 1/16" or 300 yards of sand topdressing.

With establishing a sand cap as our primary objective, the process begins with a solid tine aerification to help incorporate the sand into the existing soil and promote soil air exchange.  Although some debate exists on coring vs solid tine, our goal is to build a substantial sand layer on top of our clay soils, which is best accomplished with a solid tine that does not bring unwanted poor soils to the surface.

 

   

Having access to the proper equipment is paramount to a successful aerification process. Large area aerification equipment along with the tractors to power them are expensive to purchase and maintain. However, the consequences of not performing aerification is apparent as the extremes of summer weather, cart traffic, and turfgrass diseases result in declining turf.  Although spring and fall are traditionally optimum for aerification, the process is often a monthly cultural practice on problem areas throughout the course.   

Along with the aerification process, a screened and washed sand is applied to the fairways with large spreaders capable of slinging sand in swaths of 20' to 25' wide.  The concept of sand applications to fairways began over 15 years ago on a limited basis to combat high traffic areas, poorly drained soils, and to aid in the recovery of weakened turf. The benefits of sand topdressing are well documented on greens and tee surfaces, which include improved drainage, smoother more consistent surfaces, greater wear tolerance, and generally healthier turf.  Fairway sand topdressing can have similar benefits but only after a considerable accumulation is achieved.            

However largely determined by budget constraints, our sand topdressing accumulation goal is approximately 1/4" per season. Over the past five or six seasons, we have accumulated approximately an 1 1/4" of sand.  The adage of "more is better" certainly applies to sand accumulations and 1/2" or more per season is better.  With the goal of establishing a 5 or 6 inch layer of sand, accumulating a 1/4" to 1/2" of sand per season will take several seasons before all of the benefits are realized.    

Monday, June 30th- Topdressing

We took this Monday to accomplish a few proactive cultural practices that strengthen and prepares the turf for the upcoming summer stress period.
The common cultural practices consist of aerification, verticutting, and topdressing.  Using non coring or solid tines, our first aerifier went 3 inches into the soil and our second aerifier, again with solid tines, went 8-10 inches deep. Aerifying at variable depths prevents layering of the soil profile and allows better ventilation and infusion of oxygen into the soil.




Punch holes 3 inches deep                            Then, we punched more holes, 8-10 inches deep.







You can see two different types of holes.    

Then, we apply a light sand topdressing. Not necessarily trying to fill the holes but rather a means of working the sand off the surface and into the canopy of the grass.

Finally, we broom in the sand to incorporate, roll, water lightly, and the green is ready for mowing and play the next day. 


Vertical Mowing

Vertical mowing or verticutting produces a thin slice through the turf canopy and just
into the soil surface to remove grain, thatch, and allow water, air, and nutrients to the plant roots. This particular process is performed on approaches today.

You can see the slits made to help remove thatch (Right).  

Clean up of thatch and some soil after verticutting

                       

Approach cleaned, mowed and ready for play.