SPRINGING INTO MAINTENANCE

Plus How To Care For Your Lawn This Spring

BY LOU SILVEIRA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Spring is in full swing, and April is a crucial month for golf course maintenance and home lawn care. As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, our course is undergoing essential seasonal preparations to ensure prime playing conditions. Here’s what’s happening at Woodbridge Golf & Country Club and some tips to keep your own lawn looking its best this spring.

April Course Maintenance & Play Conditions

1. Spring Aeration & Recovery

In early mid to late March, we conduct aeration on our greens to relieve soil compaction and promote root growth. While the greens may be a little bumpy for a short time, this process ensures healthier turf and smoother play in the coming months.

2. Fairway & Rough Growth Management

With temperatures rising, our fairways and rough experience increased growth. Our team is actively fertilizing and mowing to maintain consistent playability and a lush course aesthetic.

3. Bunker Refurbishment

We’re refreshing bunker edges, compacting soft area, replenishing sand, and ensuring proper depths to keep hazards in consistent shape for the season.

4. Irrigation System Tune-Ups

Spring marks the beginning of irrigation adjustments to account for changing weather patterns. Expect fine-tuned watering schedules to keep the course vibrant while conserving water.

Spring Lawn Tips for Members

Want your home lawn to thrive during the coming months? Follow these expert tips:

• Aerate Your Lawn – Just like our greens, aerating your yard allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots for stronger turf.

• Apply Spring Fertilizer – A balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will jumpstart growth and color.

• Mow Regularly (But Not Too Short!) – Keep your mower blade at about 2-3 inches to protect roots and maintain moisture.

• Water Wisely – Deep, infrequent watering encourages strong root systems. Early morning watering is best to prevent evaporation.

• Control Weeds Early – Apply pre-emergent herbicides now to prevent weeds before they take hold.

Upcoming Golf Maintenance Events

• Spring Annuals Planting - A refresh of the Club’s landscape beds will be planted with spring / summer annuals such as Marigolds, Zinnias, Pansies, Salvia and Verbena.

• Preemergent Herbicide Application - Applying Dimension a preemergent herbicide to combat spring & summer weeds like dandelion, clover and crabgrass.

• Spring Fairway Aeration - With the help of a new Toro ProCore 864 aerator we will be hollo-tining all of our fairways to relieve compaction and help promote a quality surface from tee to green.

As we embrace the beauty of spring, we’re excited to provide you with an exceptional golf experience. Thank you for being part of the Woodbridge community—we’ll see you on the course!