Turf
26 SEP 2025
In autumn, the decrease in light and drop in temperatures trigger a series of physiological changes in plants.
In trees, the production of chlorophyll (the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis) slows down. When this chlorophyll breaks down, secondary pigments such as carotenoids (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (red and purple) become visible. This is an economical mechanism: the tree removes useful nutrients from its leaves and stores them in its branches and roots before letting them fall to enter dormancy.
Grass does not lose its leaves, but the process is similar:
- Leaf growth slows down as the plant reduces its photosynthetic activity.
- The sugars produced at the end of the season are redirected to the roots and crowns, which act as energy reservoirs to get through the winter.
- This accumulation of reserves improves cold tolerance and ensures vigorous regrowth in the spring.
This is why, in golf course maintenance, we adapt our cultivation practices and fertilization to this period:
- Reduction of nitrogen inputs (less need to stimulate leaf growth).
- Focus on potassium, which strengthens cell membranes and increases resistance to cold and disease.
- Work such as aeration and seeding to improve oxygenation and turf density before winter.
So, whether it's the tree shedding its pigments or the grass directing its sugars to its roots, the principle is the same: preserve and protect vital structures to get through the winter and start again in the spring.
Maintenance of the driving range
This week, we aerated and verticutted the surface to improve turf health and promote better density.
Starting next week, we will move on to the next stage of our maintenance program:
- Filling all divots
- Complete topdressing to improve soil consistency
- Overseeding to strengthen the turf and prepare for next season.
Marc-André Doré
Golf Course Superintendent