Digging In The Dirt

       The past few weeks I have been in numerous discussions regarding using turf sensors. The first time was a few weeks ago, at a breakfast meeting with Bill Brown, Group Vice President from Toro, and some local superintendents . One of the discussions centered around the thought that using sensors were a valuable tool, but the debate was is the cost justified when dollars are tight with the final question being, " Should I buy multiple sensors or a greens mower?". (I voted greens mowers...)
The comments definitely created some discussion of the true value, and in the end, I would say the consensus was that it is helpful, but the only way to really know is to stick a knife in the dirt!
       Then this past week, we had the Toro Precision Sense unit in our area at multiple locations. The Precision Sense is another tool to dial in your programs. The unit measures soil moisture, soil salinity, surface hardness, plant performance, NDVI ( measuring plant density/color/stress) and topography. Really incredible technology!
      As with any new technology, it can not replace the ability to dig in the soil and use your specific experience with your turf.
      In the end it all comes down to one of my favorite Jim Nedin sayings " If you have happy grass, your members will be happy and you will be happy!"

Toro Precision Sense in action






WJC