Creating a Seasonal Nutrient Program for Golf Greens, Tees & Fairways

Turfgrass nutrition isn't a one-size-fits-all process, especially across different seasons. Whether managing bentgrass greens or bermudagrass fairways, the key to resilient, high-performance turf lies in understanding when and what to feed it.

Spring: Kickstarting Growth and Recovery

Spring is a transition period marked by turf recovery and early growth. Focus on:

• Quick-release nitrogen (e.g., Urea Humate 20-0-0) to stimulate green-up

• Phosphorus applications to promote root recovery

• Light doses of micronutrients like manganese to correct winter-induced deficiencies

Tip: Begin spoon-feeding every 2–3 weeks with liquid fertilizers as soil temps rise.

Summer: Sustaining Growth and Stress Resistance

Summer presents heat, drought, and traffic stress. Nutritional focus should shift to support resilience:

• Use potassium-based fertilizers to improve stress tolerance

• Incorporate biostimulants or humates to support microbial activity

• Maintain light, frequent N applications to avoid overgrowth

Tip: Consider foliar feeding with low-salt index products to reduce plant stress.

Fall: Prepping for Dormancy and Root Regeneration

Fall is a prime time for building carbohydrate reserves and reinforcing the root system.

• Switch to slow-release granular products for sustained feeding

• Apply PHOSFLUX to increase phosphorus availability for root growth

• Finish with micronutrient applications to correct seasonal depletion

Tip: This is also the time to apply soil amendments and address compaction.

Winter: Planning and Soil Testing

During dormancy, prioritize evaluation:

• Conduct soil tests to assess nutrient reserves

• Review the success of the past season's program

• Plan product purchases and application schedules

Tip: Use winter downtime to create a tailored nutrient calendar for each playing surface.

Creating a structured seasonal program helps turf professionals stay ahead of deficiencies, reduce reactive treatments, and maintain consistent turf quality across all surfaces.