America runs on dunkin....

So another week passes on my journey through Winter Turf School. Has it been any different, what has happened I hear you call? Well let me tell you.
Firstly, being British, let's start with the weather. It's warmed up this last week and been a barmy 1C, not normally something I'd take as a positive but as the UK has been shivering with some positively Artic conditions I've enjoyed the 'warm' week. We'll taking no pleasure I'm hasten to add in your freezing week!! But today we've returned to something resembling normality with Snow Storm Iola rolling in and dumping 8 inches of the white stuff on this fair part of the North East USA. But it's amazing to see how prepared they are here to tackle it, snow ploughs by the dozen have been doing there stuff and keeping things moving.
So what else, I made a little promise to myself as I set off for the US to try and engage in the local customs & traditions of my host's during my stay. So this week I've been to Dunkin Donuts for my breakfast  (not everyday..!!), loved it, & tried brisket, awful. Now I'm not sure what it was but I didn't enjoy it. But in my role as cultural ambassador I won't let the brisket incident spoil my future culinary experience while I'm this side of the pond. I've also been supporting the local micro brewing community, a role I'd be happy to do undertake anywhere. Just to put that out there...

So to Winter School activities. It's been a week dominated by maths. Now to say maths & numbers isn't my strong point would be putting it lightly, 5 goes to get my GCSE C grade at Maths is clear evidence of this. But I'd like to think that, as 5 attempts shows I can be fairly persistent. So as the number's have been coming thick & fast, in decimal, fraction and just about any other form numbers can present themselves I've tackled them head on. And with, I'm fairly happy to report decent results to date. But the good thing about being here is how the lectures have tailored the number's bit to help everyone get 'along with it'. I should mention I'm not the only person on the course who froze with fear when the number's where rolled out....
But as everything has been so far on the course it's all relevant and will be off great use to me in the future.
In addition to the maths I've learnt completely new things this week. Which just goes to show how much they pack in during a week. The terms Soil Colloids, Rubisco, Adsorption, Micelle & Isomorphous Substitution have all been intoduced during the week and I've been blown away but the terms and there function in keeping things green..!!
Finally for those who attended BTME I hope it was enjoyable & educational in equal measures. Judging by some of the photos I've had the misfortune o seeing it looks like normal service was resumed!!

So as Iola continues to cover us in snow I'll get back to some study as I await my next insight into the great American culinary world, pizza delivery....

For now, goodbye.

May the BTME be with you

So dear friends as I sit down to post my latest ramblings I cast a knowing nod to those of you who are Harrogate bound, or the lucky few who have arrived already. I, as do most UK greenkeeper's, look forward to BTME week as a time to further our knowledge & understanding of our industry by attending the education seminars, looking round the show & least and by no means last cramming into some of North Yorkshire's finest watering hole's to 'network'..!!??
So to all those attending enjoy.

So week 2 of Winter Turf School has passed. And the pace has been as relentless as week 1. This week we've covered turf pathology, soil science, turf weeds, entemolgy, irrigation, turf fertility needs and golf course management. Each subject has been again a series of lectures & discussion groups with daily exams (I've given up calling them Quiz's..) and homework assignments. Don't get me wrong there are no complaints, I consider myself very fortunate to be hear & I'm learning a great deal. One interesting point to come out of the week has been how Poa Annua  (Kentucky Bluegrass ) to my host's , is considered a weed grass. Now I'm not going to start any sort of debate but it's interesting how coming from a background where we manage Poa /Bent greens, not everywhere granted, as to is it still right to consider it a weed grass? Now I suppose by definition a weed is an undesirable species, but as we discussed in class are you  better to try & manage what you have or try to control & strive for more finer grasses in our swards. Interesting stuff. And no clear answers. Which is what I found interesting that the same points of discussion are 'hot ' topics this side of the pond. Although I've yet to meet a UK collegue who as a raccoon or coyote problem..!!!

So as we move into week 3 I have fungicides to learn by the collective 'bucket' load (courtesy of the previously mentioned Dr Jung..Legend) and I'm sure the pace will continue relentlessly. And I'll be all the better for it.

Away from Turf School, I've been to my first bluegrass  (not the 'weed'!!) gig, everyone went to the pub after class on Friday, more than the first week, team bonding & everyone is getting excited about the 'football '  game today. Semi final day in the NFL. I'll be supporting the 'Patriots', when in Rome etc, but also smiling inside as I think of the good times being had in North Yorkshire & the fact the Rochdale sit 5th on the league. Cheers everyone.

Up & ready for work..?!!

So I'm up and ready for work. The annoying thing is though I'm obviously (2000 miles..??!!) away from Muswell Hill Golf Club and wide awake. What's the problem I hear you ask?  We'll it's midnight in the US, so there's o real need for me to be up.! Does jet lag take a week to kick in? So thought I'd share my weeks experience's thus far. It's been a week dominated by Soil science, 3 lectures & 3 'Quiz's  (see previous post for definition), grass identification & Turf & fungicide pathology. Let's start with the soil science, ranging from soil textures to bulk & particle properties of the soil, this has to date probably been my most enjoyable lectures. It's been fascinating looking in depth at the workings & importance of the soil, almost like a look under the bonnet of the finely tuned engine that is our beloved turf..!! The grass identification classes involve us growing unidentified (to date ) specimens in the greenhouses here at Umass and making a report on our findings. It's always a pleasure to go into the laboratory facilities, one because it's a very impressive facility & the other because the temperature is set to warm. Something that can't be said for outside.!!
Finally the week (2 days..!?) has meant Dr.Jung. For those who have attended Winter Turf School I'm gonna leave it at that. More to follow for sure but his fungicide table is out and I'm trying to get to grips with it.

Outside of Turf School,  quick weather update,  another 3 inches of snow Monday morning, no problems for anyone, I'm happy to report there's some decent local brewing goes on (might have to set myself a Quiz..??!!!, and the local 'football ' team are doing quite well.

That's it for this installment, cheers.

First week done.....

Well there we go. First week of Winter Turf School complete, didn't quite manage a full week but that was due to matters out of my control. What a week it's been, but let's concentrate on all matters Turf School. The course thus far, and I'm sure will continue to be, has been challenging, thought provoking and enjoyable in equal measures. Subjects covered have ranged from Soil Science, Turfgrass Entomology, Turfgrass Management, Turfgrass Weeds & Turf Pathology. Quite a lot to pack in and that's just half the week I was here!!
The course is being delivered via lectures, group work, assignments & test's  (although my host's call them Quiz's, imagine my disappointment when our first 'quiz' didn't take place down the pub.....)
Where being continually assessed on the course so should have an idea of where I'm at in relation to grades etc.

It's been interesting to see the range of different diseases that are managed here and also the range of products available. Also experiencing the range of temperature differences that turfgrass here are exposed to and next week we'll be looking into the effects of Winter kill on turfgrass, which will be something new.

The other students on the course are mostly local from neighbouring State's, they've all been very welcoming. One thing that has struck me is how many green staff get laid off over the winter. Even some Superintendent's are laid off, this is obviously a result of the harsh winter weather experienced in these part's but speaking to some of the guy's it leaves a certain amount of uncertainty on regarding long term future's. Most seem quite used to it, the guys laid off are allowed to claim unemployment money and some guys work ploughing snow etc. It also highlighted how short the golfing season can be in these parts if there is early snowfall & subsequent late spring thaw.

Also on the course are, they assure me, the only two Greek greenkeeper's in the world..!! Now I have nothing to either back this statement up or dispute it, not that I have any reason to.. Fotis & Kris (shortened names...) are good fun and speak very passionately about the game of golf & Greenkeeping in Greece. (Anyone looking to speculate next emerging golf market, remember where ou heard it...).

So quick note on the weather, still absolutely freezing, we've not got anywhere near 0 yet. -10 about the average & 4 inches of snow yesterday. I've never seen as many snow ploughs in action. Really is a sight to behold.

Also last night a first, witnessed my first ice hockey game. Absolutely fantastic. Now it didn't quite match watching the mighty Dale at fortress Spotland but what speed them lads move around the ice. And there big lads.!!

So that is where I'll leave it for now.

One final point about Greenkeeping  that I'm glad to report must be a worldwide tradition, after we finished on Friday everyone found there way to the pub..!!

Bit chilly out..!!!!

The beginning Pt. 2

So as my goal from previous blog was to make my Soil Science class in the afternoon did you make it I hear you ask? The answer would be yes. But I was late.! And not just the 2 days late I already was. After landing at Bradley airport, I'm more than happy not to see another aeroplane for a while, I got my transfer to the hotel. Checked in fine and all very nice. Considering I'm spending the next 7 weeks here its hard not to conjure up images of Alan Partridge..?! Need to get my oversized plate out for the breakfast..!

So off I set to get the bus to Umass and eventually start The Winter Turf School. I had little over an hour to get there, I was reliable informed it was a 10 minute bus journey away and according to the bus timetable I had there was a bus in 15 mins. All good I'm thinking. So I venture outside into -7C and snowing. Oh how I wished for my snow boots and gloves..!! But I'm a hardy Notherner at heart so off to the bus stop I go. An hour later, no bus.! Question,  why did I wait so long? I was determined to get to a class and didn't want to let the transport God's defeat me. So eventually along came the bus and I made the class.
I then spent the next hour being completely dazed and realising how tired I was as we (I say we, I didn't contribute much!!) discussing water soluble Nitrogen and the differing effects of slow and quick release fertilisers. The kind of juicy stuff I'd come here for but maybe not after being on the go for 48 hour's..!!

But it was great to kind of meet the class, my arrival was met with almost mythical greatness  (more to do with my journey as opposed to me..) .

So I made it back to my Hotel, still no bag, and did what any self respecting Brit would do and went to Walmart.!! It was then I realised I was exhausted.

2.30am bag arrives at reception looking in a worst state than me, but it's here.

So Wednesday begins and it's a better day round. Fuelled by a hearty breakfast off to a full day of  classes.
Today's  topics ranged from Fertiliser analysis, seed planting, in a very impressive greenhouse facility to Turf Entomology (you know it's gonna be a good course when the problems caused by Racoons are discussed, unfortunately calling for Carl Spackler  (Caddyshack  reference #1) wasn't even mentioned and closed the day with Turfgrass Pathology.

Juicy stuff yes, but enjoyable.

So as we move into Thursday we will see what the day brings, bring on a cold day so I can test out my cold weather gear, think I might get my wish.....

The Eagle has landed

Well I'm here. Hooray I can hear you say, but let's not get the flags & bunting out yet. For those of you lucky/unlucky enough to know me (delete as appropriate!!) you may know of my preference to travel light when staying away from home. I think of myself as a rather uncomplicated individual and as such don't always see the need to travel with excess baggage..!! This time I think I may have set myself a challenge and a half. The airline God's  (the airline shall remain nameless as I'm using them quite a bit over the next 8 weeks..) choose not to load my bag at Heathrow. They had obviously heard about my survival like abilities to survive on the bare minimum, so here we go. I have a laptop and the clothes I've been wearing for quite a while now as my only companions. Challenge indeed I can hear you say. Bit a challenge I'm tackling head on. There have been some sort of assurances my luggage will be flying today, hopefully to me.!!! We will see.

As from yesterday post my goal for today is still to get to the soil science lecture this afternoon and finally begin some Turf School activities. Which will hopefully allow for some more turfgrass related post's allows opposed to my travellers woes.

So as I finish this post I sit in Detriot International Airport, having spent a short time in the Holiday Inn, courtesy of my unnamed airline.

Things to note about my brief time in the US to date, the people are very friendly  (unless there just taking pity on me??!!), it's very cold (-8 degrees ) and yes its snowing. Perfect to test out my newly acquired snow boot's & cold weather gear. If only it wasn't still in London.....

A delayed start

I should be writing this entry whilst kicking back & relaxing high over the Atlantic Ocean as I make my way to participate on the Winter Turf School at the University of Massachusetts (to be known as umass for future reference), the prize for winning the Toro Student of the Year Award back in September. But alas, a technical fault with the 'iron bird' as led to a 12 hour delay. Some may complain about the bad luck & perceived lack of organisation with the airline. Not me, get it fixed is what I say..!!

So as the delay goes on, people stateside have been informed of my delayed arrival and they appear to have taken it in there stride.

So my new goal is to get to Umass tomorrow for 3.30pm (local time, hoping it will be Tuesday?!!) for a soil science lecture that is sure to test my skills against jet lag.
For let us not forget the real reason for the trip, to learn & expand my knowledge of Turfgrass and sample a chilli dog.

Not sure what the next 24 hours have in store, but hopefully more progress than the 99 station tour of the Piccadilly Line that I've managed to accomplish today.