Make your mark

Turf colorants are handy as spray pattern indicators for fertilizer or other applications on the course. Dr. Mark Howieson, technical team leader for Becker Underwood, discusses what they should know before getting started.

How should a superintendent use turf colorants as spray pattern indicators?
The primary application is to help even out your turf and to provide consistency. Focus on the aesthetics. They cover a little bit differently for everybody, and everyone has a color that they like best. For example, Vision Pro HD is a more natural shade of green that won’t turn blue. I’d go and play around with different turf colorants at a nursery or on a practice green to find a rate, product and frequency that looks best. Our products recommend a rate range on the label. The background color of the turfgrass that you start with plays an important role. If you’re applying to dormant grass, your best bet is going to be Green Lawnger, because it provides better coverage, whereas products like Vision Pro HD or Transition HC can be used if applied to actively growing or slightly off color turfgrass.

What should superintendents avoid doing when using them as spray pattern indicators?
Avoid overspraying onto pavement, concrete or buildings. If you do, remove the overspray quickly because it will be extremely difficult to remove once it dries. If that situation occurs, you would want to immediately clean the surface with a brush or power washer. Superintendents should also set-up realistic expectations for themselves. These colorants are not silver-bullet solutions, but they do a pretty great job when used as part of an integrated management program to help maintain high quality turfgrass.

What are the advantages of using a pigment-based colorant over a dye-based colorant?
The dye-based is going to be visible anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The pigment-based is going to last much longer. Pigment-based turf colorants have a greater impact on aesthetics. The analogy that we like to use is dye is like sugar, it’s going to dissolve. However, pigment is like a sand particle. It’s much more resistant. It’s not going to break down easily, especially in UV light. But it’s really about personal preference.

How can superintendents get the best results even when applying products during uneven weather?
Weather is going to impact how quickly the application dries. Of course, you want to avoid rain, and extremely windy conditions to limit drift potential. We recommend using a Transition HC type product in spring and fall, but don’t limit yourself to just those seasons. It’s a little bit darker, so it often helps turfgrass canopies absorb a little bit more heat from the sun, but we’ve seen many people use it successfully throughout the growing season.

What do superintendents need to know before starting?
Know what colorant you want and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Some offer more flexibility and broader coverage range. But make sure you know what to expect from them. Every course is unique, but your turf colors and the condition of the course will all impact the appearance. So the best advice I can give to superintendents is they should play around with it. Don’t be afraid to experiment.