Sports Turf Agronomy Advice - February 2026
Hopefully those that travelled to BTME have come away energised for the year of turf management ahead.
The news of the sudden passing of well-known industry figure, Ian Kinley from Royal Porthcawl Golf Club came as a great shock, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.
February often represents a transitional month for turf managers, sitting between the prolonged challenges of winter and the gradual glimmer of early spring. Those searching for an early response can be caught out when conditions quickly revert to a poor growth environment. While disruption from snow and prolonged frost has largely eased towards the end of January, saturated surfaces and limited growth potential remain key constraints and the forecast is for a potential southward move of the jet stream which could mean easterly winds and further cooler temperatures.
Across sites visited during the month the cumulative effects of wet surfaces, limited daylight, and reduced soil temperatures mean that recovery remains slow. Those in winter sports that have had a congested fixture list will be glad to see the back of January and being one step closer to more growth and recovery opportunities. The fixture list through this period can have a lasting impact on pitch performance for the remainder of the season if they happen to fall on the wrong day and clash with poor weather conditions. Unless you have the equipment to create an artificial growing environment, it doesn’t matter how much you can throw at the surfaces, there will be a limited response, so it becomes a waiting game, doing what you can, when you can. Sometimes doing less is the hardest thing, but the right thing.
The forecast for February suggests a mixed picture. Early indications show relatively settled conditions at the start of the month, which may allow for selective operations such as brushing, light aeration, or debris clearance where ground conditions permit. As the month progresses, rainfall is expected to become more frequent, with temperatures remaining largely in the low to mid-single figures, occasionally rising toward the end of the month. Any increase in growth potential will be modest and highly dependent on local conditions and surface drainage.
One of the most significant changes during February is the increase in available daylight and solar elevation. Day length increases from approximately 8 hours 54 minutes at the start of the month to around 10 hours 47 minutes by the end. Alongside this, the sun’s altitude increases substantially, improving light intensity and photosynthetic potential. While soil temperatures may still lag behind, this gradual increase in light availability is a key driver for the early stages of spring recovery and highlights why restraint remains important when planning early-season inputs.
For those that have had ongoing winter projects to finish off in January attention can now turn to reviewing soil and performance data. Providing valuable insight into nutrient status, pH balance, and organic matter levels ahead of the main growing season. Flexibility remains essential, as fixture schedules and weather conditions will ultimately dictate what can be achieved on the ground.
Nutrition
Nitrogen demand remains low throughout February, reflecting continued low growth potential. While there may be temptation to stimulate growth in anticipation of the season ahead, applications should be carefully justified and supported by data. Where nutrient replacement is required, low-rate applications using readily available nitrogen sources can be considered to support recovery from wear once conditions allow. Applications of high nitrogen fertiliser onto cold soils with a high possibility of heavy rainfall is not going to be an efficient or cost-effective method. Any inputs should be timed to coincide with suitable soil temperatures and moisture levels to avoid waste.
The focus for February should remain on protecting plant health, nurturing growth as the plants metabolic processes start to fire up, whilst maintaining surface playability, and setting a solid foundation for spring. Combining practical experience with available weather and growth data, turf managers can make informed decisions that support sustainable performance as conditions gradually improve, ensuring the greatest chance of success.
Tom Wood
B.Sc (Hons) | MBPR | FQA
