In my learning process, I have a few questions?????
The step for the over seeding of 36 lbs of Bullseye/FalconIV/Cochise/nuchicago.

1.mowed and bagged to the lowest setting on the mower (to stress the old grass and slow the growth)
2. raked what I could
3. water a lot the night before
4. spread the 36 lbs of seed over the 5500 sq ft
5.spread 1 cubic yard of compost
6. rolled (totally filled with water)
7. water 3 times a day for 10 minutes, until next week.

My questions: After rereading the FAQ's article, obviously the 1 CY is not enough to cover 1/4 in thick. Does it really matter for the top dressing or just as long as it is not over 1/4???

Hypothetically speaking: if I wanted to spray tenacity after the over seeding, is a few days later OK?

If Cochise TTTF seed recommends 10-12 lbs for seeding, Am I even going to really get any benefits from the seed at the 6 lbs per 1000 seeding rate?

I did not fertilize just yet, I am trying to avoid growing the old stuff and plan on fertilizing with 18-24-12 at half rate after the first week and the second half at week 2-3.

Any suggestions for improvement?

Top dressing is optional, particularly for folks like us who are really, really serious about watering it correctly. It would be more important (and less likely to be used) by the average person who doesn't water enough, or at all, such as my neighbor currently is not.

Any is better than none and helps protect against sunlight and drying winds.

Tenacity--I think I'd hold off until 30 days after sprout at this point. Your seed has already dropped embryonic roots, or is very close to doing so.

I can't speak to TTTF seeding rates, except to say that even KBG at 1.5 per K would give a good lawn, and would the right rate (or close) for an overseeding. That's equivalent to half rate on the TTTF.

Fertilizing: Yep, hold off when overseeding to avoid kicking the existing grass into high gear. Actually, holding off completely until week 2 would be best on TTTF to give it time to sprout. Then the second half at week four or so.

NTEP actually seeds TTTF at 5lbs per 1K for new lawn establishment so I think you are fine on the overseed rate. I think 6lbs per 1K is the accepted overseed rate anyway. Usually with TTTF you end up with wider bladed leaves with lower seeding rates, but they can withstand disease and drought better so more isn't always better. Plus you have that small bit of NuChicago KBG to fill in any holes.

I also think with an overseed project you really only need peat moss on bare spots anyway since the existing grass will protect and keep the seed moist. Even then the peat moss isn't necessary, if you keep it watered like Morph said.

Your mix is very similar to what I put down for my partial reno minus the NuChicago. Hope it works out!

MorpheusPA wrote:Top dressing is optional,

Any is better than none and helps protect against sunlight and drying winds.

Tenacity--I think I'd hold off until 30 days after sprout at this point. Your seed has already dropped embryonic roots, or is very close to doing so.

I wanted to add the compost for 2 reasons; adding organic matter and then as a blanket to help retain moisture. So as long as I water and keep the seed moist- is all that matters.

I didn't realize in the "directions for overseeding" that 1 CY would do 1/4 per k. Where I got scared with the compost was on the receipt for the compost "this product may contain glass,metal or plastic", but then again the web site Click here for more information says "Compost produced at our facilities meets the US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance Program requirements".

Which is why I was now thinking about the Tenacity. I'll hold off for now!

Where or how does dropping my weekly UCG come into play here. I just don't feel normal not getting my hands dirty watching the seed. SHould I hold off or start spreading it out back (the next project my wife knows nothing about )

Thanks

likeasponge wrote:Where or how does dropping my weekly UCG come into play here. I just don't feel normal not getting my hands dirty watching the seed. SHould I hold off or start spreading it out back (the next project my wife knows nothing about )

Thanks

Sure, go ahead. UCG is low-powered in terms of nitrogen, so it's not likely to light off massive growth.

Update, after lots of reading and planning since last feb; the plan appears to be coming together! Thanks for all your help.


before- little to no watering, lots of leaf mulch, ucg, cc, sbm and roundup.


After the reseed and a sckiff of compost.


Day 6

the green fuzz is taking over

There has been no fertilizer (of any kind) yet applied.

You can see the chickweed slowly shriveling up but other than that I am really happy with how it turned out. Thanks again for the help

Looks good. Good luck vs. the chickweed. Seems everyone is fighting it this winter.