Top Tips - Don’t let a drought stress you out!
Effective irrigation is arguably the most critical component of a successful drought management strategy. Water is indispensable for maintaining plant physiological function, especially under water-stressed conditions.
Before deployment, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough irrigation system audit. This diagnostic process confirms proper system pressure, verifies nozzle output consistency, and ensures the correct angular trajectory (arc) of each sprinkler. Such meticulous verification guarantees uniform water distribution across the playing surface. Remember, the primary objective of supplemental irrigation is plant survivability - not inducing soil saturation, which could compromise surface integrity.
Mowing height adjustment
During periods of high temperatures and intense solar radiation, raising the height of cut is a highly effective strategy. Mowing turf too short under such stressful conditions significantly harms the grass’ health. A low cut can quickly cause the grass to dry out and the leaf tissue to die. By increasing the mowing height, you promote a larger leaf surface area and stronger root development. This helps the plant perform better in photosynthesis, water absorption and overall resilience against challenging environmental factors.
Wetting agents
More precisely termed soil surfactants, wetting agents are an exceptionally valuable resource for drought mitigation. During prolonged periods of desiccation, soil can develop hydrophobicity - a condition characterised by water repellency.
This leads to reduced infiltration
rates and increased surface runoff, rather than optimal absorption. The strategic application of an appropriate wetting agent significantly enhances the soil’s moisture retention capacity and improves water penetration throughout the soil profile.
Communication with stakeholders
Effective communication with stakeholders is paramount during periods of environmental stress such as drought. It’s essential to establish continuous dialogue with both management and members. This involves not only sharing critical information about the impacts of prolonged water scarcity on turf health but also providing education on the strategies and contingency plans being implemented. The goal is to demonstrate proactive measures taken to maintain turf viability. Fostering a supportive and patient atmosphere among members is essential to navigating these challenging conditions.