Late summer/early fall is the time for "winter" preparation of all warm season grasses. Oftentimes we think about early fall as a time to take a breather, but there are a few important tasks to accomplish where timeliness is essential.

Late summer begins the hardening process for bermudagrass, zoysiagrass and all warm season turfs. This physiological process is assisted by an application of potassium and raising the cutting height (CH). Fertilizers containing a small amount of nitrogen (e.g. something like a 5-10-30) have shown to be better assimilated by the turf.

Raising the CH in late summer allows for maximum root development and carbohydrate storage prior to winter. Remember, root development is directly proportional to CH. The increase in CH does not have to be excessive enough to reduce playing quality, however. As an example, hybrid bermudagrass fairways mowed during the growing season at 7/16" are often raised to ½" in late August and 5/8" in mid-September.

The key is to begin these programs in late summer instead of waiting until mid September. The effectiveness of improving turf health is considerably greater.

Another fall process that pays dividends during heavy winter play is aerification. This is done usually with small diameter tines to minimize disruption to playing quality, but it sets up the soil profile with good air and water movement to keep the turf healthy when stressed by large amounts of winter play. It also allows creates a good environment for those courses that overseed allowing the best chance for a good stand of cool season grass.

Newly overseeded greens, tees and fairways must be watched carefully and sometimes mid-day irrigation may be required to keep immature seedlings moist until they get established. Often golfers will be asked to keep carts on the cart paths for a few weeks until the fairway seeding matures enough to handle the traffic.

A little patience during the onset of fall and winter will guarantee a better success for those beautifully striped greens and fairways we all love to play during the winter months.