Edmonton, Canada (VENTING)

During the winter of 2006-07 we had several new clients in the Edmonton area using GreenJacket^® for the first time, some with Insulation and some without Insulation. As the winter season approached the weather and temperatures leading up to the time to install covers were mild and wet, not the best weather for hardening off the turf and allowing it to go dormant. Snow cover of approximately 10″ inches followed in late October and was in place until 1st week of April when covers were removed. As a result, when uncovering in the spring, some of the greens had experienced what was believed to be “Anoxia” or suffocation death.

We continue to gain an understanding of why this happens. Poor cold hardiness levels of the plant and wet soil conditions prior to freezing, plus heavy wet snow accumulation that remain for long periods can lead to anaerobic activity that results in Anoxia.

This past winter 2007-08, our client used our GreenJacket® Venting System. Viewing the results shown here, the venting system is successful at exchanging air under the covers. It allows air and gases that may build up to be flushed out by new oxygenated air from a backpack leaf blower. The photos show the cover actually being lifted by the fresh air produced by the blowers, as air completely infiltrates under the cover.

For more Information and Research furnished by the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre and Glendale Golf Country Club see our GJ Research on Anoxia studies.