The background to this project was the discussion amongst greenkeepers about mowing height in the autumn, especially for new varieties of creeping bentgrass. The other question was whether fertilising in late autumn has any positive effect on winter survival and spring green-up time under Nordic conditions. Nordic greenkeepers were trained at a one-day seminar on 4 September 2008 to carry out experiments on their own greens.
In autumn 2008, 18 experiments were established (Finland 3, Sweden 3, Norway 11 and Iceland 1) with mowing heights of 100% and 150% of the height used on the green during the summer. The greens were fertilised with a balanced, soluble granular fertiliser at a rate of 0.2 kg N/100 m2 when the turf had stopped growing.
Observations from 14 greens were recorded in spring 2009. Two experiments had 100% winter damage. At five sites there were some differences between treatments, but the reported observations gave no verifiable conclusions. So far there have been no negative effects of late autumn fertilisation on any green. Two red fescue greens were reported to show a positive effect of elevated mowing height on spring recovery.
The results from the first experimental year were discussed with the participating greenkeepers at a seminar in September 2009. The experiment is being repeated in 2009/2010 at 12 locations. Photo: Nearly 100% winter damage made it difficult to find effects of mowing height or late autumn fertilisation. Photo: Erik Dahl, Kgl Drottningholm GC.
