Seeding Continues

Seeding is underway and continues today.  Over the last couple of days we've been able to bang out the seeding process on 8 of the greens and approaches.  One would imagine that over a day more than 8 greens and approaches could be seeded, but it is a very tedious process.  Walk seeding is being done on all areas with a spreader that is only 3 feet wide and the grand total of square footage to seed is 217,800.  Today will be another long one, probably our fifth straight 15 hour day.  But even though long it doesn't detract us from our goal of finishing the seeding today! 
Following the dropping of the seed we still follow through with a few other processes.  First immediately after the seed is dropped we use a spiker attachment to "dimple" the seed into the ground.  The operator of this machine will go in three different directions allowing for more seed to get "dimpled."  Then after that process is done we topdress the green and approach with a light layer of sand.  The sand will help protect the seed but also give us a better soil/seed contact.  If seed isn't touching soil it will not grow.  After the sand and surface is dry we use our greens rollers to roll over the sand to ensure even better seed/soil contact.  Once these processes are finished we are ready for our starter fertilizer applications.  6 different types of fertilizers are being used for the initial grow in process.  Each fertilizer has a very important function and has a target for a different process or function in seeds growth.  Finally the last step is water, water is absolutely necessary for the seed to grow.  During the growing in process more water is need, in fact if the seed is let dry out that could delay the process up to a week or two or possibly kill the seed.  We'll be monitoring the moisture of the surface to make sure it is moist at all times.  Normal this comes out to adding about .05" of irrigation every 4 hours depending on the days weather conditions.  If it is cloudy and cooler that can be stretched but if sunny and dry shorter intervals are needed. 
I'm very excited to be getting this seed down on the ground, especially at this time of year.  This is the perfect time to be seeding bentgrass as the temperatures are still warmer giving quicker germination and durability.  Once temps cool down that slows the plants growing process and things can take longer.  Looking at the next 10 day we will have optimal growing conditions.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have somewhat dry weather as heavy rains can wash the seed and put us back to square 1. 
So keep your eyes open cause we could start seeing some green fuzz by the middle of next week if not sooner.
Again here are some photos:

Course renovation architect Mark Mungeam checking slope changes on 1 green.  The front of 1 green is no longer a flat surface, going experience some breaks now.

This is the seed for our new greens

Seed for our approaches

Registered tag for the seed showing the purity of the contents in the bucket

Seed in the bucket.  This bucket holds 25lbs of seed and there is roughly 7,000,000 seeds per pound!  Amazing!!!

Spiker unit uses to spike seed into the ground.  This helps get some seed below the surface for better proctection and seed to soil contact

Jorge spiking number 10 green after it was seeded.

5 green topdressed.  Next step rolling and fertilizing.

11 green being water after fertilizer, now grow!