Chicago District Turfgrass Program
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle - 9/03/10
Lucky number 18? It turns out weathermen run statistics at the end of each month. We now know Chicago’s recent June to August period was the 18th hottest and 18th wettest. Other regions were similar and some even hotter. For example, the Chicago Tribune recently reported on Central Park’s temperature in New York City. “For June through August, the historic average for Central Park is 73.9 degrees, and it was 77.8 this year. The previous record high was 77.3 in 1966.” Another historic meteorological average blown out of the water. In my mind 2010 comes down to two items. 1) Extreme: Record breaking temperatures and large precipitation totals. 2) Consistent: Weather parameters (e.g., temperature and relative humidity) can be very different week to week. It keeps us on our toes and is why I write weekly reports. However, a big record in Chicago was all about being consistent (i.e., longest stretch of 80+ days ever recorded). Entire swaths of the country also suffered the same persistent heat and humidity as well as flooding. That kind of consistency just devastates plant health. Plants adapted to cool climates need an occasional break in summer heat. It allows recovery and replenish food reserves (root carbohydrate store). Summer 2010 gave few breaks in the heat and our turf still shows it (no roots), increasingly so does the landscape (premature leaf drop). Not-so-lucky number 18!
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle - 8/27/10
Lessons learned. Weathermen’s words are now kind. Chicago’s Tom Skilling wrote, “It becomes difficult for temperatures to warm to early summer levels this late in the season.” Our days continue to shorten and tree shadows continue grow. Nevertheless, the final days of August are to be hot – a few more 90s forecast. It continues to remind us that summer 2010 was a difficult experience. It turned out to be consistently wet and warm. Heat intolerant Poa trivialis and Poa annua caught our attention from the very beginning – too consistent! Meanwhile, bentgrass suffered physiological decline – during peak midsummer heat we were too wet for too long. Even Kentucky bluegrass faltered – overly wet soils exacerbated root damage by summer patch.
From a plant health standpoint, summer 2010 was a “booger bear” so to speak. Few breaks in heat and humidity occurred. And the Green Committee asks, “Why just us?” News accounts tell us that other areas of the country were possibly worse off. No amount of budget can provide a pristine look if shortcomings exist – they always do. For example, we usually deal with poor drainage somewhere. It makes sense since many golf courses benefit urban areas by providing a watershed. Streams and lakes will overflow their banks on occasion – 2010 for example. Golf courses with significant turf loss in 2010 are often a story of enduring an especially hot summer AND a flood event or two or three... Peak heat is largely now behind us and turf recovery has begun – naturally. Overseeding bentgrass and adding new tile lines ASAP – lessons learned.
I do not know Who’s hot, but I do know What’s hot – this weekend forecast! Stay cool?
Derek