Going Vertical

Today we vertical moved some fairways. This is a cultural practice that helps reduce the thatch layer and promotes new growth.  We do the same practice to our greens during the cooler seasons.  Both varieties of turf on greens and fairways spread Laterally by stolons and rhizomes which is the turfs way of “branching” out.  This can cause an undesirable thatch later during seasons of vigorous growth. Vertical mowing trims these branches and causes the plant to produce newer and tighter growth to the originating plant.

In the pictures you can see the vertical mowing unit with multiple blades for slicing. The process was simple, first vertical mowing, followed by blowing of debris. We completed about 2/3 of the fairways today and hope to complete tomorrow before the rain.