In an effort to keep up with increased play throughout the year, we continue to make changes to our divot mix recipe. Recently we started to include a new product called AquaPerk in the mix, and the divot recovery time has decreased dramatically. Actually, if there's such a thing as growing too fast, then this might qualify.
AquaPerk is a combination of an absorbent polymer (similar to what you'd find in diapers), and used coffee grounds. The polymer helps with moisture retention, preventing the seed in the divot mix from drying out.
Below you can see a side by side comparison we made earlier in the year. Everything about the two pots (including the amount of water received) was identical, except the one on the right had AquaPerk included.
We are clearly seeing a significantly improved rate of seed germination using AquaPerk, which may allow us to decrease the quantity of seed needed in the divot mix. With seed prices doubling over the past year, less seed in the mix could lead to some welcomed savings.
Another benefit we've found from AquaPerk is that it helps to prevent all of the divot mix ingredients (there are six of them, before adding AquaPerk) from separating. Following the Club's Halloween party last Monday night, we received a downpour, with over 2.5" of flooding rain.
In one of our trial areas, this deluge caused the test divots without AquaPerk (blue dots, below) to have the seed and peat completely separate from the sand--this will clearly not lead to a quick divot recovery. However in the divots with AquaPerk (red dots, below) all of the ingredients remained evenly distributed.
Again, with increased play and practice tee use, we need all of the help we can get. A product which can improve results while saving money certainly looks like a great tool to add to the arsenal.
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