At the end of March last year the club had some soil tests done to see where we were at coming out of the winter. We have had this type of thing done before from time to time but not to this extent. The purpose of soil testing is to try and register where you are in terms of nutritional input, aerobic conditions, soil pH and organic matter levels. They can be quite in depth and I won't bore you with all the stats!!
This test has been followed up with another in November 2014 on the same greens using the same method. This enables us to achieve some consistency.
As you know we have carried out a lot of work in the last eighteen months with regard to increased aeration and topdressing, including deep Vertidraining and several hollow core soil exchanges.
These soil tests show prove that the benefits of carrying out such works are leading to improved greens surfaces. Some of the main points are as follows:
Salt levels have decreased by extra aeration and using specific fertilisers.
pH levels are on target.
Organic matter levels have decreased and are now in the guideline levels. This is a result of the soil exchanges and using 120 tons of dressing. Creating more air in the soil means an increase in microbial activity which helps to reduce thatch levels.
However these results to show us where we are lacking in certain nutrients and how to improve further the standard of the putting surfaces. Extra aeration may be needed on certain problem greens, 17th for example, in order to improve consistency.
All in all we are very pleased with these results but this standard of work will need to continue to improve things further. We have received many favourable comments over the winter for how the greens are compared to other winters. This is down to the work already carried out and a slightly different feeding regime. This standard of work will continue so we can achieve the best results.
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