A few drier days toward the end of February allowed us to complete some much need work on the course. We applied a granular feed with low nitrogen and potassium to  encourage and harden up the plant without any excessive growth ,and the product also had a high iron sulphate content which has given the greens a darkened colour, was used to help control the moss invasion due to all the wetness and lack of aeration.
 The greens were in much need of aeration after the constant rain and wet surfaces, so  they were slit tined and then we followed this with solid tining with close spacing to a depth of 75mm.All the tees were given there first cut of the year and even some fairways were cut ,although some remained to wet to put a mower across. Just as we got excited about doing some real green keeping the rain came back .

applying fertiliser

Our New ecological triple greens mower has arrived and was being evaluated and tested out on the course on the vixen 8th green ,this new idea? of mowing is unlikely to catch on as its virtually impossible to mow a straight live or get strips in the green.

On the 6th hole of the Hawk we investigated what we thought was a drainage issue in the  right bunker but as we dug  holes and poked and prodded around  we found the problem to be fibrous roots from the willow tree. These had grown in the pipe and blocked it in the last few metres where the drainage pipe exited into the pond. After much hand work it was cleared and repaired.

The crocus bulbs planted on the clubhouse lawn in the autumn have been giving there first display and looking very effective, as is the display outside our maintenance building. I also saw my first queen buff tailed bumblebee looking for a nest sight in february on our crocus .

 

The Daffidils planted on the banks of the 1st tee vixen, putting green and car park are  nearly ready to flower so spring is coming I don't know if that means less rain though!

clubhouse on a rare day of early morning sunlight inbetween rain showers