A putting green at Vestfold Golf Club, Stokke, Norway, was treated with glyphosate in autumn 2008 and re-established in spring 2009 by one of three different seeding techniques. A: Removal of 2-3 cm of the top layer and then seeding. B: Verticutting, direct drilling and dressing. C: Direct drilling and dressing. The species were a mix of red fescue (Festuca rubra) and common bent (Agrostis capillaris). This simple test showed that direct drilling into the turf (B and C) gave faster grass cover, but about 50% of the seedlings were annual meadow grass (Poa annua). Since this species is weak against winter damage, we ended up recommending method A, i.e. removing the top layer before reseeding. This method gave less weeds and a firmer putting surface. The green was playable after 8 weeks when using method A. This was one week later than with method B or C. Using a light acrylic cover on half the green during the first three weeks after seeding did not improve the final result.
Photo: A group of greenkeepers inspected the test green and made the final conclusions.
Photo by: Agnar Kvalbein
| 2008 | 2009 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STERF | 0 | 50 | 50 |
| Other sources | 0 | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 0 | 100 | 100 |
