How do you educate and engage golfers and stakeholders on the benefits of compost tea for golf greens?

1 What is compost tea?

Compost tea is a brew made from steeping high-quality compost in water and aerating it to stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes. These microbes include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes that can help suppress pathogens, decompose organic matter, and cycle nutrients in the soil. Compost tea can also contain additives such as molasses, kelp, or fish emulsion to provide extra nutrients and sugars for the microbes.

3 How to apply compost tea?

Compost tea can be applied to golf greens in various ways, from using a backpack sprayer, hose-end sprayer, or boom sprayer to drenching the soil with a watering can, bucket, or siphon mixer. You can even inject it into an irrigation system with a venturi injector, dosatron, or fertigation unit. The application rate and frequency of compost tea will vary depending on the condition of the turf, the quality of the tea, and the weather. As a general guideline, apply around 10 gallons per acre every two to four weeks during the growing season. You can adjust the rate and frequency based on your observation and experience.

4 What are the benefits of compost tea?

Compost tea can provide many benefits to your golf greens, such as improving the soil structure and porosity, which can enhance water infiltration, drainage, and retention. Additionally, compost tea increases soil organic matter and fertility, providing more nutrients and food sources for turf and microbes. It also stimulates microbial activity and diversity, helping to control diseases, pests, and weeds by competing with or antagonizing them. Furthermore, compost tea enhances plant growth and vigor, improving the color, density, and resilience of turf. Finally, it reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides, saving money while reducing the environmental impact of your golf course.

5 How to educate and engage golfers and stakeholders?

Compost tea can be a great way to demonstrate commitment to sustainability and quality on your golf course. To educate and engage golfers and other stakeholders, you can create signage, flyers, or newsletters that explain what compost tea is, how it is made and applied, and its benefits. Invite them to watch or participate in the compost tea making or applying process, and answer any questions they may have. You can also conduct surveys or interviews to gather feedback and suggestions on how to improve your compost tea program and communication strategy. Additionally, share success stories, testimonials, or before-and-after photos that demonstrate the positive results of compost tea on your golf course. Finally, organize events, workshops, or tours that showcase your compost tea program and other sustainable practices on your golf course.