6 Things I Learned in 2010

This is more of a personal post about what I learned this year in terms of things that I would consider myself to be interested in. This includes photography, social media, insomnia, and let’s not forget turf diseases.

Social Media is Not the Future, It’s the Now

Although I have been using various social media resources for a few years now, I am still amazed at how many people still fight it as if it were going to go away. While there remains the issue of professionalism while using these social networks, it is clear that they are here to stay. If you don’t believe me, check out who Time Magazine named “Person of the Year 2010".

kbpictures.com

Sleep is Overrated 

For those of you who read the article in Golf Course Industry, you probably now know that I have issues sleeping. For the last 4 to 5 years I have generally gotten up and spent 3 hours or so learning new social media, video and photo editing, html, and other things that I wouldn't normally have time for during the day. For the last month, I have been able to sleep through the night with little problem. My conclusion? I would rather be up at night!

Completing a Project365 Isn't Easy

A Project365 is essentially a photo project that you do on your own to see if you can take 1 photo per day for an entire year. In 2010, I set out to complete this project as a way to better understand the settings and use of my camera. Well, the excitement quickly turned into a chore and I ended up failing after 263 days (continued from 2009). I plan on trying again beginning in 2011.

 You Can Never Prepare For Some Things

 No photo to share for this one...it was just too ugly to post!

The last year was probably one of the most difficult on record for golf course superintendents in a LONG time. As turf pathologists, we like to think that we can help to prepare turf managers for the problems that may come during the summer. In my opinion, this year proved that sometimes you can prepare all you want, but that may not make much of a difference. This was particularly true for those growing bentgrass in the mid-Atlantic and hot and humid Southeast. I saw more dead turf this year than I can remember. Hopefully next summer will be better.

 I LOVE to Travel

Attendees to the International Turfgrass Society conference in France, 2010.

This year I had the opportunity to travel more than I had ever in the past. Presentations, Conferences, Trade Shows, etc. took me all around the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, South Africa, France and other places. Despite having some hiccups along the way (getting stuck in Paris due to the Volcanic Ash), it gave me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends in the turfgrass business. Although the world is relatively large, the commonalities among turfgrass managers worldwide makes our group a small and personable one. 

"Turf Diseases" Changed The Way We Communicate

 

Although the Turf Disease Blog was launched in May of 2009, it wasn't until 2010 that it really took off. This site, comprised of 5 pathologists and a few other guests, was meant to be a way to share timely information for those in the golf course industry. What started out with humble ideas is slowly progressing into much more. Last year, we had over 100,000 page views and visits from people in more than 120 countries. We now have our own website (www.turfdiseases.org) and will continue to expand on the project in 2011. The last month has given me a lot of time to think of the direction that I want to go with the site and I think that over the next year we are going to roll out some nice additions that will make the information even more useful.

I can't thank everyone enough for all of the feedback (positive and negative) that we have gotten over the last year. The blog has caused me to reexamine many things in my research, teaching and education program and has given me many opportunities and new ideas for future work. I look forward to continuing the evolution of the site in the coming months and years. 

Enjoy the Holiday season and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Night-time lows--cooler than the other side of the pillow

Earlier this week, Frank "expletive deleted" Wong** made some nice points about fungicide programs. While one or two diseases might dominate our thoughts during certain times of year, it's important to consider the whole spectrum of diseases. Winter is a good time to review fungicide programs, deduce when and why breakthroughs occurred, and develop strategies for the next year.

Then, as Jim was mentioning, it's also a good time to reflect on the physiological stress of 2010 and perhaps set some plans related to adjustments in agronomic practices, playability, etc. Summer 2010 was a beast, but there are things to learn from it that can help everyone in the future.

**You can read Frank's post in detail to see what I'm talking about :)


50's 50's 50's

Overnight lows in the 50's are continuing to alleviate stress problems from this summer. Jim said his phone has been fairly quiet, and mine has been too. It's nice to be thinking about things like fall renovations, overseeding, etc, instead of fighting for turf survival 24/7. In my region, those of you with zoysia or bermudagrass might start preparing for fall apps for large patch or spring dead spot. In Kansas, apps for SDS have been pretty inconsistent but a little farther south, in Oklahoma, there's been some recent research on timings for better efficacy. It's all summarized nicely in the August issue of Golf Course Management in an article by Nathan Walker.

More thoughts on summer stress, 2010


At this link you can find more info on the extreme stress conditions of 2010, including some comments and data posted by a Kansas City area superintendent that clearly demonstrate how wicked this summer was. It's always refreshing to hear directly from guys in the field:

http://www.golfersnetworkusa.com/site/kcga/article/associationcontributor/thecourse815


Why turf is like the incredible, edible egg


Larry Stowell and Wendy Gelernter are at it again. They are fast becoming the turf video stars of the internet. At the following link you'll find a short video from PACE turf on why turf gets damaged by heat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg_CYn2YMvQ

No salmonella risk involved :) The video is aimed at a golfer audience.


The incredible, edible sedge

I was just joking around last week, but apparently sedges ARE edible. Here's a comment that came in on my Kansas State website:

Ah, but nutsedge IS edible! The little nutlets that make this weed a pain to control are perfectly edible. Cyperus esculentus…esculentus means edible. You can even buy Cyperus esculentus var. sativus which has been especially selected for eating quality. The nutlets are usually called Chufa nuts and they are used for a popular drink in Spain – Horchata de Chufa!

I’ve eaten chufa nuts and they actually are quite tasty. If I can find some nutlets of var. sativus, I’m planning to plant them in a container next year.

-Rebecca McMahon, Sedgwick County Horticulture Agent

And, this one came in via the Facebook page for THIS blog:

Yes, you can eat nutgrass. it’s part of Chinese medicine.
Yes, you can eat spurge, acturally we eat them fresh and dehydrate them so we can eat on Spring Festival.
Now you know why America has more weeds to deal than Chinese

There’s more information about the edible nature of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) online here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_esculentus

And, if you hunt online you’ll find more.

Now, if only we could eat dollar spot, brown patch, Pythium, etc etc.

Two plant pathogens that ARE edible are corn smut:

This is a delicacy in Mexico, called Huitlacoche (sometimes spelled cuitlacoche). I’ve eaten it in various dishes. Lots of recipes available online!

And, another edible (err, drinkable..) pathogen is Botrytis cinerea. In most cases Botrytis causes a nasty fruit rot. You’ve seen this on strawberries that get gray-brown and fuzzy. Not too appetizing.

(image online at http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/147235)

But, in grapes, if the level of Botrytis is just right, you can make a very special wine called Botrytized wine, otherwise called “The noble rot.” Highly delicious!