The script has flipped! With December and most of January filled with high winds and cold temperatures we were treated to a couple of large snowstorms, the latter of which was the largest snowfall event Halifax has seen in many years. A reported (Environment Canada) 86cm fell over the weekend of February 3rd and 4th, which pushed our annual snowfall totals above the last couple of years with weeks of winter still remaining. Our plowing operation was working overtime to open up the property. With that completed, my thoughts inevitably drift toward turf health. Precipitation of any kind raises curiosity and concern to how the greens are faring as harsh winter weather shows no mercy. You start wondering how various weather related variables are affecting the turf.
I did a deep dive into historical weather statistics that Environment Canada provides. The categories that interested me the most were Snowfall totals, rainfall totals, and Average Low Daily Temperature. Next, I zeroed in on several notable years that came to mind based on the winters. I started with the current year and compiled these statistics to date. The other years chosen were as follows:
2023: Chosen because of how recent it was. We came out of winter relatively clean.
2022: A decent amount of damage. Not all greens were affected, but several needed until summer to get back to proper condition.
2018: Relatively arbitrary choice. Came during a period where we had a few consecutive years of healthy turf coming out of the offseason.
2015: My first season at Oakfield. The most damage that has been seen. Extensive damage throughout. We opened the course in Mid May with 18 temporary greens (Third week of April is our Average Opening Day)
Here’s the raw data:
Weather Comparison at Oakfield | |||||||
2015 | Snow (cm) | Rain (mm) | Low Temp Avg. | ||||
Dec | 3 | 275 | -3.5 | ||||
Jan | 60 | 82.2 | -11.9 | ||||
Feb | 130 | 32.2 | -14.7 | ||||
Mar | 146.7 | 32.8 | -9 | ||||
Apr | 23.2 | 80.1 | -2.4 | ||||
Total | 362.9 | 502.3 | -8.3 | ||||
2018 | Snow (cm) | Rain (mm) | Low Temp Avg. | ||||
Dec | 13 | 168.1 | -6.3 | ||||
Jan | 66.7 | 96.2 | -11.4 | ||||
Feb | 25.2 | 135.9 | -6.1 | ||||
Mar | 75.5 | 49.9 | -3 | ||||
Apr | 177 | 27.2 | -0.4 | ||||
Total | 357.4 | 477.3 | -5.44 | ||||
2022 | Snow (cm) | Rain (mm) | Low Temp Avg. | ||||
Dec | 35.3 | 126.1 | -5.2 | ||||
Jan | 48 | 114 | -10.9 | ||||
Feb | 29 | 158.7 | -8.5 | ||||
Mar | 34 | 109.8 | -4.1 | ||||
Apr | 11 | 116.2 | 1 | ||||
Total | 157.3 | 624.8 | -5.54 | ||||
2023 | Snow (cm) | Rain (mm) | Low Temp Avg. | ||||
Dec | 1.4 | 165.3 | -2.6 | ||||
Jan | 35.4 | 183.5 | -4.3 | ||||
Feb | 25.6 | 42.5 | -10.9 | ||||
Mar | 41.9 | 18.3 | -4.5 | ||||
Apr | 2.6 | 27.1 | -0.2 | ||||
Total | 106.9 | 436.7 | -4.5 | ||||
2024 | Snow (cm) | Rain (mm) | Low Temp Avg. | ||||
Dec | 38 | 100.7 | -2.9 | ||||
Jan | 47.6 | 90.7 | -7.7 | ||||
Feb* | 86.6 | 0 | -4.2 | ||||
Total | 172.2 | 191.4 | -4.933333333 | ||||
Notes
2015- What stands out right away is the rainfall in December and the temperatures as we approached February. December rains look to have been around double the average amongst the other seasons. Remembering back when I started with Oakfield in January 2015, one of my first tasks was to spread dark prilled fertilizer onto several greens that were already covered in ice. Looking at December’s exorbitant rainfall, it makes sense. Going further, late in January we went into a deep freeze that lasted well into February. Low temperatures persisted well into March where we got buried in snow well into April. What I remember is multiple snowstorms ending in rain and finishing with a flash freeze and chipping ice off the car. April 20th is a day I remember walking out onto the course with a sledgehammer to break off thick layers of ice on the greens.
2018- Much less snow! A sign of things to come as snowfall accumulation declined quite precipitously. Rainfall amounts were the highest of any year documented here. Roughly a third of that number coming in April, which, unless followed by drastic temperature swings would have indicated baring off early and the turf coming out of dormancy at a good time. Also to note, look at the temperature differences from 2015, particularly in February, March, and April; conditions like these indicate that there would be less favorable conditions for ice accumulation to grow uninterrupted. A lot more rain compared to snow would likely mean we would have been bare of snow for most of the winter.
2022- We saw damage to several greens this winter. Looking at the stats there is not too much that jumps out screaming ‘death to turf’. The damage we saw was mostly to greens that we do not tarp. We tarp 13 or 14 of the 20 greens here at Oakfield. The greens we do not tarp are typically those that have a different micro climate (all are on the perimeters of the property) than the open holes throughout the course (through the middle). We saw quite a bit of rain in February and temperatures look quite cold as well. If I were a betting man I would say that crown hydration (a process where the turf comes out of dormancy, takes in water with the intention of producing new leaves, and a quick drop in temperature freezes that water, thereby rupturing vital parts of the turf plant.
2023- Last season was memorable in that the amount of rain and warmer temperatures allowed Turf Masters to get a great head start on the renovations we completed. The least amount of snow we received in any of the years documented here.
2024-We have already exceeded snowfall amounts from the previous two years! Although January had a good stretch of cold weather that froze the ground the average low temperature was not an aberration and was still quite a bit warmer than 2015 and 2018.
So what does it mean for this year? Too soon to say. Atypical to this year has been an absence of rain events, which can be good. With the amount of snow we just received were there a thick layer of ice on the greens it could be worrisome as a disruption to regular exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is a sure way to damage turf. But beyond the data that I have chosen there are a bevy of others that can offer some good information. The timing of weather events can be important as well. How fast did a rain event be followed by freezing temperatures? How are the various microclimates throughout the property affecting more localized weather conditions? A shady area will take longer to bare off snow and ice, which could be the difference in how healthy a green will come out of winter. You can drive yourself crazy trying to account for all of the variables that mother nature provides….
Anyone telling you they can predict how a course will overwinter is like the person saying they know how the stock market will behave. A lot of speculation. There are clues…but ultimately, all we can do is wait.
I have been out on the course to take a couple of samples. The process, as illustrated below, shows digging out a spot to get to the surface of the green, where I can assess if there is ice. Using a drill and hole cutter a sample is taken and brought back to my office. It is placed in a pot with soil and kept in a windowsill to thaw out. Once it is no longer frozen and warm, the plug will start growing out. If there is damage it will be apparent after several days and portions of the sample are not growing new shoots. While this is a small snapshot, it can provide some insight into how we are shaping up. Samples will be taken throughout the winter in different locations. With no ice accumulation to this point, the snow acts an insulator from the elements and can be a benefit. It is a thin line, however. With a lot of snow on the ground, unless a rainfall can completely melt all snow, the probability of ice buildup is high. The later into the winter we can be before that happens will be beneficial as duration of ice buildup is the crucial aspect of turf health from this standpoint. Stay tuned.
In other areas of the maintenance operation Bill has his hands full sorting our parts order that we purchase annually over the winter months. Every year we make a large purchase order to perform repairs and regular maintenance practices on all of our gear. With 10 ride on mowers, a dozen utility carts, multiple sprayers, bunker bikes, aerators, walk mowers, tractors, and a skid steer there is no shortage of work from the mechanical side of things.
Next week Geoff and I will be in the city for the AGSA Conference educational seminars, trade show, and catching up with the other superintendents in the Maritimes and seeing how everyone is making out at their properties. Always a week to look forward to.
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