Ian:
Sorry to go back to the first page of this thread but I've just started reading it carefully from the beginning.
Regarding your post (Reply #33) you seem to be answering John Moore's question about topdressing and such changing the makeup of a profile or not. I suppose you're particularly concentrating on the inherent sand/soil/drainage makeup of the top profile but I was wondering given years of topdressing how much the surface of a green might tend to rise given various factors. I also noticed you mentioned Scott Anderson and his practices at HVGC.
So I called Scott just now and got him on a throne (toilet) in New Mexico.
I asked him how much the surfaces of various types of greens could rise over an extended period of time given various factors and maintenance practices. He said a lot given various factors such as straight sand topdressing. He said this is why he likes to mix in a higher percentage of organic material in his topdressing because he believes that organic material will naturally breakdown thatch and buildup far more than a greater percentage of sand will.
He also said he is and has been trying to stop the surfaces of his greens from continuing to rise and he does it this way and with tining and remixing back in.
Does that make sense to you? If you have some questions for him let me or Kyle Harris know and we'll get answers for you form him.
TEPaul,
Im from the school of topdressing light and frequently. As in a dusting that can be watered in and forgot about every two weeks. It
saves money on bed-knives, its never compromising putting quality to the golfer and it prevents layering.
This is how I view topdressing....
1. It is the supplement to the aerification program, dilutting and matching the rate of accumulation of organic matter in between aerifications.
2. In conjunction with a verti-cutting program leaf blades are groomed to stand upright providing a very true putting surface.
3. Maintains firmness for playability.
From what I remember with Scotts write-up and videos is that he uses the organic in his topdressing. Which is great, thats a good thing. But
where I differ from Scott would be the frequency at which I like to topdress. Anyone correct me if Im wrong, but doesnt Scott topdress
infrequently. As in a handful of times through the season? And also promotes grain?
The frequency of topdressing would be why I wouldnt include organic and use straight sand. Scotts program works because he is on an
infrequent program and including organic is ok. On a frequent topdressing program I would only use straight sand because I am foremost
trying to dilute the organic matter, continually adding organic every other week is counter acting what Im trying to accomplish. It would mess
up the enviornment Im trying to create in the soil profile. The physical properties of the organic built up in the thatch layer would promote
slower water perk rates (because organic has retention properties).
I also understand that Scott is using organic as a means to incorporate microbes into the soil enviornment that help with the breakdown of
thatch and also aid in the conversion of sulfates to sulfites which is a benefit in preventing anaerobic conditions and black layer.
But here is my philosophy....
1. Promote an aerobic enviornment in the soil profile
2. An aerobic enviornment promotes aerobic microbes which are the beneficial microbes. There are bad (anaerobic) microbes.
3. Feed the microbial population, I always incorporate blackstrap molasses into my soil sprays. Its a simple sugar that microbes love.
4. Overall just promoting the beneficial microbe population that already exist in the soil. Every now and then I throw some "bugs in a jug"
into the spray tank with the soil sprays.
Just for the record there is a company in Lancaster, Pa called "Organic Approach". Eric, the president is very passionate about this and could be a huge reference source for anyone interested. I have a lot of his organic products shipped out to L.A.