Horticulturist Or Tracking Expert Help For Training Questions......

[Rom]

Is there a simple test to tell the difference between whether grass is dead or just dry?

The reason I'm asking is that up here tracking season is dry and I'm wanting to be able to train my girl on the type of cover that we're likely to come across at trial. A learned friend has indicated that dry grass will still produce some bacterial action when it is crushed and thus create the scent that we are training on, but dead grass will create problems.

So, how do I tell the difference? I had just assumed that all brown grass was dead.....

[JulesP]

Look at the roots maybe? Dead grass will have dry roots. Brown grass that is still alive should still have moist roots.

[cramet]

its best when the gound moist dosnt mater what the surface is like because the sent sticks better thats why its best to start early

[persephone]

? no idea really, but if you maybe check as to what sort of grass is growing in the area..then you'll know if it a perennial or an annual? Some grasses die back, leaving roots alive until conditions are favourable..some are just alive for a short time..then die completely., as Jules P said...

[Rom]

Thanks for the tips all

It will be a little while before I can put the tips to the test though.....don't really want to encourage it to stop raining here!