Management Practices that have Proven Successful
on the"A" and "G" Series of Creeping Bentgrasses

It has been stated these grasses are different and not to be managed as other bents are. Summarizing this, it means less fertilizer, less water, less babying than the old bents that superintendents are accustomed to. Summation of this is it also adds up to less worry. These bents are tough, useful grasses that require different management but overall the management is actually easier than the superintendent is accustomed to. The end result is a very high quality putting green surface that thrives on low mowing and culminates in a near perfect putting surface with no grain and no extraordinary practices other than the management mentioned below.

Grow in Fertility Program
 lbs. fertilizer
per 1000 sq. ft.
Preplant
Starter Fertilizer 19-25-5 w/ 35% SAN
STEP / Hi-Mag Trace Element Package
0-0-45 Polymer Coated SOP
21-0-20 w/ 100% Poly-S
8 lbs.
12 lbs.
8.8 lbs.
5.3 lbs.
Week 2
17-3-17 w/ 50% Methylene Urea
6 lbs.
Week 4
22-3-14 w/ 33% SAN
4.5 lbs.
Week 6
13-2-13 Ammon Sulfate + 2% Micros
8 lbs.
Week 8
17-3-17 w/ 50% Methylene Urea
3 lbs.
Week 10
22-3-14 w/ 33% SAN
4.5 lbs.
Week 12
13-2-26 w/ 100% Methylene Urea
3 lbs.
Week 14
22-0-22 w/ 65% Nutralene + Micros
2 lbs.

The formulations and rates may need to be adjusted according to soil test results and turfgrass performance. After the turfgrass has grown in fertilizer application should be kept light and infrequent. This can be accomplished by the use of a fertigation system or use of a soluble product applied with another product.

The amount of the fertilizer should be .1 of a pound of nitrogen maybe every 14 days +/-, depending on growth, clippings and performance. The yearly amount of nitrogen will be from 2 to 4 pounds, phosphorous 2 to 3 pounds, and potassium 6 to 10 pounds. As far as micronutrients amounts this should be checked with tissue tests during the year and again with a soil test in the early spring.

Maintenance Program

The first mowing should be when there is uniform turf coverage with a height from 1/4 to 3/8 inch and definitely not more than a 1/2 inch. The mower should have a smooth front roller. It has been reported that some people have used grooved rollers to early. Clippings should not be caught early on as this will help build a biomass or padding that will protect the plant from damage. During the early stage it is important to do weekly light topdressing. This will cover the clippings early on, smooth any roughness in the surface as well as accelerate the filling in of the turf grass canopy. It is possible to get to desired mowing height within 6 to 7 weeks after first mowing if not sooner. The Penn A-4 is being maintained by most facilities at 3/32nd or 9/64th.

It is important to irrigate only when necessary and when required to fill the soil profile to field capacity or like trying to flush salts from the soil profile. This could be a 30 to 40 minute cycle depending on the type of irrigation used or time of year. Do not irrigate the next few nights with a 5 or 10-minute cycle. Stretch the time between irrigation cycles as long as possible. Again, this will vary from the time of year, should be able to go at least 4 to 10 days or longer and only need to hit hot spots.

As far as aeration, this has varied from course to course. Most golf courses aerate two to three times a year. Once in the spring, early summer and fall, similar to what is currently being done other bentgrasses. I have some courses going less others a little more, all depends on the size of the greens, soil type and traffic.

Topdressing varies depending on management style from light weekly applications to once a month when verticutting. As with all bentgrasses it is important to get as much topdressing into the canopy as possible. This is can be only accomplished if the canopy is opened up by the use of groomers, verticutting, grooving or spiking.