Foliar Feeding

Fertilization is a key component in a golf courses schedule, budget and general health.  With turf being mowed at decimals of an inch, proper soil and plant fertility is extremely important.  You all have probably noticed spray rigs present on the course frequently.  We promise it is not an effort to annoy the golfer but to maintain quality turf with minimal impact on the environment.

Our spray rigs are out so often because, like most golf courses, MCC utilizes spoon feeding (or foliar feeding) management practices.  This implies a light amount of fertilizer applied with a low volume of water that is readily absorbed through the blades or leaves of  the turf plant.  Because the application is light, it has to be repeated frequently (usually every 2 weeks).  With this low level of fertilizer we gain more control over the growth of the plant, which is especially important on greens because of the low mowing height.  Granular (or solid) products do not offer this control because there are so many variables that effect the release of their fertilizer (saturation, distribution, chemical properties).  Spoon feeding products have to be applied more often than granular, but they are cheaper as well. 
How does spoon feeding lessen the impact on the environment?  With less chemicals being applied, the chance of them leaching down to the water table is decreased.  This is particularly important with phosphorous applications because of the dangers involved with this element and groundwater contamination. 

As a side note, golfers and members are sometimes concerned with coming into contact the chemicals we are applying.  The majority of these chemicals are not hazardous to mammals and are not present on the surface for very long.  Golfers would be notified if that is not the case.  We do not recommend eating off the turf but walking through and playing recently sprayed areas is safe.