MorpheusPA wrote:2.5 to 3 inch tall grass? In my case, about week 20 to 24, which means I didn't see it until spring. That will vary, though.

So that means, you didn't mow during your first year? I hope I can hear from Gary as well since he's in the Chicagoland as well.

I mowed--first mow was around 2 inches, which I got by late September. I slowly raised the deck after that, but I never hit full height the first season.

Forgot to ask this earlier. I still have starter fertilizers left which I think will be enough for the area I renovated. Can I still use it on Sept 15 instead of TB?

What's the NPK on it?

Morpheus-

I'm sure this info is on a thread somewhere. Would you give us a Idea what fertilizer you put down in the fall during your renovation?. Did you use a mix of organics and synthetics? I'm not trying to hijack the thread- I thought Simplekid may be interested too.

Thank you

Andy, it's 20-27-5. What do you think?

nothing0 wrote:Morpheus-

I'm sure this info is on a thread somewhere. Would you give us a Idea what fertilizer you put down in the fall during your renovation?. Did you use a mix of organics and synthetics? I'm not trying to hijack the thread- I thought Simplekid may be interested too.

Thank you

I have it and I pasted it to a MS Word document. He gave me a schedule. Here is what I remember since I'm on a different computer now.

August 15, starter fert
Sept 15, half dose of TB
Oct 15, half dose of TB
Thanksgiving, full dose of TB
Spring, full dose of TB
June/July - Milorganite
August - resume organics

That's what my visual memory recalls.

nothing0 wrote:Morpheus-

I'm sure this info is on a thread somewhere. Would you give us a Idea what fertilizer you put down in the fall during your renovation?. Did you use a mix of organics and synthetics? I'm not trying to hijack the thread- I thought Simplekid may be interested too.

Thank you

Sure. I gave 'Kid a modified plan (reproduced in his message) for a non-organic lawn, or at least one that hasn't been organic for long.

I went 100% organic on my renovation, but I'd been organic for more than a full year at that point. Every 14 days I was tapping down 5 to 10 pounds per thousand or so of something, usually soybean meal as it dissolves well and was small enough to not be an issue. There were 2 applications of alfalfa and one of kelp meal as well in there, plus surface sprays of kelp liquid. Roughly, equivalent supplied nitrogen was 0.5 pounds every 2 weeks, P was around 0.2 pounds, K around 0.1.

Don't apply at that rate with synthetics or you're going to have a problem...

I didn't resume "normal" (for me) feeding rates until October 21st, at which point I was on Milorganite.

Andy, it's 20-27-5. What do you think?

I went looking for a baseline soil test for you to see what you started off with in the "P" level, but I can't locate your baseline soil test. Please post a link to your baseline test, and what you've put down on the soil since then (including NPK's of fertilizers).

Here is my soil test results.

Just updating this page. Took some shots yesterday few hours after the rain. I also removed the 2 impact sprinklers and changed it with another oscillating sprinkler. I'm very satisfied with the 2 oscillating sprinklers because it covers all the areas I renovated. One sprinkler can cover 40'x 30'. I'm running them separately.

Code: Select all

August 19, 5:37PM Central Time update - DAY 4

It rained pretty well and forecast is that it's going to rain again tomorrow.Woohoo!!!

Update. I wasn't aware that there will be a big thunderstorm. It rained heavily yesterday around 7pm. There was a tornado siren while we were inside the school(orientation day of kids). When I came home, a big puddle again. It rain hard again around 2am. I looked at it this morning and I'm so happy that puddle is almost gone. Woohoo!!! Maybe, seeds are gone too!!! LOL.

-Kid

I can't find the post. What drop spreader did you use and what setting?

Thanks

I have Scott's Accugreen 2000. The setting that is written at the back of a Scott's Kentucky Bluegrass seed product is 7.5. I think 7.5 setting maps to 3-4 lbs/1000 sqft. For us to have a good coverage, we have to drop seeds in 2 directions, north to south and east to west. I divided 7.5 into two or I just estimated. I think I put the setting at 3.5.

I like drop spreader because the distance from the hole to the dirt is just 2 inches. There will only be small percentage of seeds being blown by the wind when you start dropping them. But it's recommended that when you drop the seeds, it's shouldn't be windy.

I use broadcast spreader for spreading fertilizer.

Oh, make sure that the wheels overlap the previous path on your next walk.

By the way, it's day 6 today and perfect day. It drizzled the whole day. Sweet!

Thanks thats what I needed to know. I realize now my question wasn't specific. I have a Scott's Accugreen 2000 as well. I wanted the settings to drop seed, so I applaud your mind reading skills.


Did I see somewhere that Bestlawn recommended 1-2lbs/1000? Does it depend on the blend?

I remember, I was also recommended 2 lbs/1000 sqft since it's a KBG seed. If it was fescue, it's 9lbs/1000 sqft. I also like the way how MorpheusPA recommended the spreader settings. I think he recommended a very low setting and make multiple passes. I think 1 lbs is too small. 2 lbs would be appropriate. However, this is my first time doing it. Let's wait for others to chime in.

1-3 pounds is completely appropriate. 3 will produce the fastest coverage and a quick, dense lawn.

1 pound per K actually has much to recommend it. With fewer grass plants, the individuals grow stronger. It does, however, take some time for them to spread and complete coverage.

3 certainly isn't overkill, however, and will also produce a strong lawn.

For setting, I think I divided the recommendation from a Scott's bag by four...leaving me at a setting of 1 on my broadcast. It took many passes, but the distribution was so even I don't think I had more than 1 extra seed per square foot anywhere.

Thanks for the info Eric.

Man, we went down to 52F last night and now it's 55F. I know that soil temp is different from air temp. However, the seeds are just on top. Is this bad for the seeds?

s1mpl3k1d wrote:Thanks for the info Eric.

Man, we went down to 52F last night and now it's 55F. I know that soil temp is different from air temp. However, the seeds are just on top. Is this bad for the seeds?

Not in the slightest. Although you're at the minimum, you aren't below it. I looked up your weather and you're going to highs from 70 to 85 over the next week, which is more than warm enough for the seed to sprout.

WOOHOO!!!

I just arrived home and I'm extremely happy to what I witnessed. I see many 2-3mm grass seedlings although on different parts. I've also pulled about 10 weeds and it's very obvious they are weeds because I saw their cotyledons!!!

I am very very happy.

It's the 7th day today. I've been watering them 3-4x a day for at least 5 mins each. The continuous rain also helped for sure!!!