4 ways to save your lawn from searing heat, according to a superintendent

Some prefer it sizzling. However nobody of their proper thoughts favors unrelenting temperatures within the triple digits. Particularly not in the event that they’re caring for turf.

Blistering climate, like the type now bearing down on a lot of the South, may be tough on superintendents and their grounds — and on householders and their yards.

Matt Guilfoil, a longtime member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association and the co-host of the turf-care podcast, From the Jingweedsis the pinnacle tremendous at Desert Canyon Golf Membership, within the Phoenix space, the place the each day highs this week have been pushing 115.

We requested Guilfoil what he does to forestall burnout of the agronomic type, and whether or not these ideas may also work from home.

1. Keep away from evaporation

You understand how confidence in your swing can vanish right away? Water droplets on hots days are like that, too. Sooner than you may say evapotranspiration, they dissipate into skinny air. The takeaway? Don’t water at excessive midday, or at every other hour when the solar is blazing. You’re largely losing a valuable useful resource. Earlier than dawn or after sundown are the popular home windows, Guilfoil says,, when temperatures are cooler.

You’ve most likely heard that it’s dangerous to water at night time, because it leaves the turf prone to fungus and different issues. There’s some reality to that, Guilfoil concedes, but it surely’s extra of a problem in areas with cool-season grasses. Heat-season grasses are hardier that approach; they will face up to an in a single day soaking. “They beautiful a lot need all of the water and humidity they will get,” Guilfoil says. And so they’ll be happier the following day when the warmth kicks in once more. If you happen to’ve acquired a grass like Bermuda in your yard, don’t hesitate to provide it a night drink.

2. Goal hassle spots

When grass will get dangerously dehydrated, it begins to discolor. With cool-season grasses, the hue appears virtually blue, Guilfoil says. However with warm-season grasses, the colour is extra blackish. If you happen to see a troubled patch beginning to type, hand watering, or spot watering, is the way in which to go. Flip your hose immediately on the parched turf, and maintain irrigating till the soil is damp (a easy dwelling check is to stay a screwdriver into the bottom and pull it out, checking for dampness).

Spot watering is a typical on-course observe. However simply as not all supers have comparable upkeep budgets, not all householders have an equal urge for food for yard care. Quite a bit relies upon not solely in your schedule however your expectations.

“At among the personal programs round right here, they received’t tolerate any discoloration they usually’ve acquired the sources to maintain issues that approach,” Guilfoil says. “I don’t have that luxurious.” One thing comparable applies at dwelling. “If you happen to’re a kind of individuals who insists on having the nicest garden on the block, you’re most likely going to be on the market hand-watering. In any other case, don’t sweat it. Your garden isn’t completely good? There are worse issues in life.”

3. Throw shade

In the course of the summer time, Augusta National units up tents round its greens to guard them from the solar. You may do the identical at dwelling, although you would possibly catch flack from neighbors for being extreme, or appeal to undesirable company who mistake you for Jay Gatsby throwing a backyard get together. Simply be sure to permit for air circulate beneath.

A extra understated choice is black netting, just like the stuff superintendents generally stretch over newly seeded floor or a tee field they’re saving for a event. Normally, the aim of the netting is to discourage in opposition to birds or golfers. “However it might work as shade, too,” Guilfoil says.

4. Elevate your mowing heights

The tighter you mow your grass, the extra delicate it’s. Throughout extended warmth spells, do your self—and your garden—a favor by letting it develop a bit longer. Extra resilience for the blades. Much less give you the results you want.

Josh Sens

Golf.com Contributor

A golf, meals and journey author, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Journal contributor since 2004 and now contributes throughout all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Finest American Sportswriting. He’s additionally the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Enjoyable But: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.