Planting Methods and Technical Key Points for Putting Green Grass
Putting green grass, as the name implies, is the turf used for the putting green areas of golf courses. In practice, people commonly call sand-cultured dwarf Bermuda grass "putting green grass." This variety belongs to the genus Cynodon in the grass family (Poaceae) and is a hybrid of common Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and African Bermuda grass (Cynodon transvaalensis). It has fine, dense blades, short internodes, and a low-growing habit; it is salt-alkali tolerant and tolerant of low mowing (3-5mm), and offers many advantages such as wide adaptability, strong growth vigor, and rapid turf formation.
Planting Methods
Seed sowing: For direct seeding on putting greens, pay attention to three technical points: sowing depth, evenness of sowing, and seed bed contact.
During the process of laying putting green turf, pay attention to the following points: (1) When laying turf, the turf blocks between rows and between columns must be staggered so that the seams between turf blocks do not form a straight line. Therefore, before the young putting green turf has fully established, trampling and playing are strictly prohibited. The sand topdressing frequency for young putting green turf depends on the smoothness of the putting green surface. Within 6-8 weeks after the seedlings emerge, sand topdressing can be done once a week; the first topdressing amount can be set at 0.25m3/100m2 (2.5mm), and afterward, as the smoothness of the putting green surface improves, it can be reduced to 0.1m3/100m2 (1mm). The sand used for topdressing must be the same as the sand in the putting green root zone when the green was constructed; otherwise, it will affect the permeability of the turf root system. Adjustment materials should be mixed into at least the upper 10-15cm of the root zone. Agricultural limestone is most commonly used for acidic soil; finely adjusted particles facilitate rapid reaction. The first use of herbicides must absolutely not occur within 6 weeks after seed germination; it is best to wait until the second spring before using chemical herbicides, and this is especially true for creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) putting green turf. There is no strict testing standard for the seeding rate of stems and branches; it is generally determined based on experience.
Fine leveling of the putting green bed: After the base fertilizer is applied, finely level the putting green surface to create a moist putting green bed with a granular structure and no soil clods. Planting should begin only after the newly built root zone has completely settled.
Adjustment of the soil pH of the putting green bed: Most of the pH adjustment work should be completed before planting. The number of rolling passes during the young turf stage is determined by the smoothness and density of the putting green surface, generally requiring 1-4 passes, usually using power rolling. Then, carry out rolling and watering; timely watering is very important for the healthy growth of the turf.
Disinfection treatment of the putting green bed: Disinfection treatment of the putting green bed is the process of chemically treating the putting green bed to kill weed seeds, pathogens, insect eggs, and other viable organisms in the soil.
Rolling: Rolling the young putting green turf is an important management measure after planting. After the seedlings have all emerged, reduce the number of sprinkler irrigations and increase the amount of water per irrigation. The first watering should thoroughly soak the root zone; afterward, water frequently in small amounts to keep the putting green bed surface constantly moist until all seeds have emerged.
Mowing: Mowing after planting should begin after the seedling root system has stabilized, at a height of 10.0-15.2mm. When mowing, follow the 1/3 mowing principle. P and K fertilizers are the two main fertilizers in the base fertilizer; if the root zone is mainly sand, it is often also relatively deficient in trace elements.
Surface topdressing with sand: Surface topdressing of young putting green turf has two functions: first, it gives the putting green a smooth putting surface; second, by covering the stolons of young plants, it promotes tillering and rooting and accelerates the spreading growth of seedlings.
Rolling can make the root zone denser, which helps soil moisture from the lower part of the putting green return to the surface of the root zone, and also helps press the stolons of young plants into the soil to promote their reproductive growth. In this way, it helps rapidly form a smooth, dense putting green putting surface.
Establishment methods: Seed propagation and stem-branch propagation are the most commonly used methods for establishing golf course putting green turf. Cool-season turfgrasses can also be planted from early spring to early summer, but because the soil temperature is low, the development of new turf is slower, and the young turf must endure adverse environmental stress throughout the summer; therefore, cool-season turfgrasses are generally not planted in summer.
Sprinkler irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation is the most critical factor determining whether young turf can establish and how long establishment takes. After the turf is laid, spread sand at certain poorly connected areas and gaps to level them, making the turf surface smooth and flat.