Lulling Your Turf to Sleep for the Winter
As the golf season winds down and temperatures begin to drop, preparing turfgrass for winter dormancy becomes one of the most critical management tasks for golf course superintendents. Proper preparation now not only protects your turf through the harshest months but also ensures a quicker, healthier spring recovery—minimizing disease, crown damage, and repair costs.
Prepare the Playing Surfaces for Dormancy
Even during dormancy, turfgrass remains biologically active below the surface. This “resting” period is when the plant reallocates resources and builds resilience against environmental stress. Begin by thoroughly removing debris, fallen leaves, and excess organic matter from fairways, tees, and greens. These materials restrict airflow and moisture exchange, creating ideal conditions for snow mold and other pathogens.
Superintendents managing high-value turf—especially greens and collars—should also consider a targeted snow mold prevention program. Apply fungicides with proven efficacy against both Typhula and Microdochium species before the first lasting snow. On courses that experience frequent ice accumulation, mechanical snow removal or the use of breathable turf covers can help prevent ice encasement injury and limit desiccation damage.
Reduce Traffic and Protect the Turf Crown
Once turf enters dormancy, its ability to recover from physical damage is minimal. Traffic from maintenance equipment, golfers, or even wildlife can shear or crush turf crowns, leading to thin, weak spring growth. Limit nonessential traffic on greens and fairways, use designated cart paths where possible, and consider temporary course restrictions to preserve playing quality.
Fine-Tune Mowing and Overseeding Practices
In late fall, your final mowing height is critical. Gradually lowering the cutting height before winter—without exceeding the one-third rule—can improve light penetration and reduce leaf tissue that may mat under snow. For superintendents in transition zones or with overseeded bermudagrass, timing is everything. Ensure cool-season overseeding is fully established before dormancy, maintaining adequate fertility and moisture to promote root anchoring before cold weather sets in.
Address Weeds and Disease Before Freeze-Up
Late-season applications of selective herbicides can significantly reduce early spring weed competition. Combine that with a preventive fungicide treatment tailored for your microclimate and turf species to reduce snow mold, patch diseases, and other winter-related issues. A balanced fertility program with adequate potassium can also enhance cell-wall strength and improve winter hardiness.
Set the Stage for a Strong Spring
Winter preparation isn’t just about protecting turf—it’s about setting performance expectations for the next season. By integrating debris removal, fungicide protection, controlled traffic, and proper mowing practices, you build a foundation for healthier, more resilient turfgrass when growth resumes.
When spring arrives, turf that has been properly “lulled to sleep” will wake up stronger, denser, and ready for optimal playability.