A) We'll sic Andy and JG on him. Actually, by the time they're done they may have been sick on him, which would be amusing to watch.

B) Well, OK, that's kind of high, but it's not like it's going anywhere. Your lawn can use it, and the organic matter change will have an impact for decades to come.

C) *cough* BS *cough*. Urea volatilizes as ammonia gas (an air pollutant, BTW) at higher pH. Which is never higher than at the surface just post-liming...

D) It's not an awful program, but rather light on the amounts, and heavy on the phosphorus as compared to the nitrogen. Also, never bother applying organics that late in the year, they just sit there. There's a reason we recommend synthetics for winterization; the decay window is usually slim to none.

At those levels, I wouldn't hold out much hope for a major OM change at any speed, either.

He was giving me the whole "don't believe what you read on the Internet" speech-- he seemed knowledgeable and was a nice guy, but could never be wrong.

I only applied MO twice the bag rate mid-October through mid-November, so I don't feel it was too much.

I like the advice I get here and will hopefully develop my own program based on some good recommendations.

I'm gonna go back just to purchase the Serenade (I called Serenade and they said it will make a difference as long as the grass isn't dormant). I'll teach him a Bestlawn lesson about Lime and Urea.

Thanks guys!

HkyPlur wrote:He was giving me the whole "don't believe what you read on the Internet" speech-- he seemed knowledgeable and was a nice guy, but could never be wrong.

Don't believe what you hear from a salesman, either. Burn!

I only applied MO twice the bag rate mid-October through mid-November, so I don't feel it was too much.

It wasn't. I exceeded that from August through early November. I wouldn't do it in April, but...that wasn't April.

I'm gonna go back just to purchase the Serenade (I called Serenade and they said it will make a difference as long as the grass isn't dormant). I'll teach him a Bestlawn lesson about Lime and Urea.

Heck, just quote the University of Minnesota: Click here for more information

See Table 2. Raising your pH from 6.0 to 7.5 at the top layer, where the urea is until it gets watered in, at least triples volatilization losses. It has to be damp, but when don't you get dew or frost in November?

Water in well and the problem ends.

He wasn't gonna let some punk-as* kid tell him he was wrong! He definitely didn't see it coming-- with the little I learned on this site I was able to question a lot of what he was saying.

I just might be the youngest lawn nut on this site!

Whereas I'm entering my Metallic Age: silver-threaded hair, steel-rimmed bifocals, gold fillings, lead bottom.

How old is our resident Punk-As* kid, anyway?

31! Am I the youngest!?

I'm not sure, but you're not that terribly much younger than I am. I thought you might be 19 from the punk bit.

That organic program can't hurt but when you turn my age (44) I think you might see a 0.25% increase change in the OM levels. I think southern CT has a lot of sand like we have on LI. If you really want to turn it around the every other week plan is great and does work. Leaf mulching and BL soil conditioner help too. Find a restaurant depot to get corn meal; forget about corn gluten meal for a pre-M; its very expensive (but does provide a lot of protein/N). I think I get 50 lbs for about $14. Find an Agway to get SBM and Alflafa. Also check HD and Lowe's for some of the organics on sale (Converted Organics and Scotts), and of course keep up with the Miloganite.

First two years I of organics i was kind of depressed as I mulched tons of leaves and put down what I thought was a lot and only saw it go up about 30 basis points each year. Last year took me up nearly a full percent from the year before; that could be sampling, but it could also be that I finally got the microherd going. This year I put down 50% more OM than last year, I'll be very curious as to my OM levels this coming April.

Or infiltration rates. OM can only move down so fast...

When you get to my age, you wake up in the morning and look at the grass. If you are looking at the green side, you're OK for the day. If you are looking at the root side, it is your turn to be OM.

MorpheusPA wrote:
How old is our resident Punk-As* kid, anyway?

Where you calling my name?

I got you beat hkyplur im 28 but feel 82 most of the time.

[ Post made via Android ]

I'm not alone!

A few years ago I wanted to stay out late, now I want to get to bed so I can get up early and work on the lawn!

"I got you beat hkyplur im 28 but feel 82 most of the time."


I thought I was going to win this one (29), dang.

HkyPlur wrote: so I can get up early.

I still must not be old enough for that. I can't wake up for anything.

[ Post made via Android ]

simpson wrote:

MorpheusPA wrote:
How old is our resident Punk-As* kid, anyway?

Where you calling my name?

I got you beat hkyplur im 28 but feel 82 most of the time.

[ Post made via Android ]

Well I think I'm up w/ Andy (52). I can get up early but run out of gas early. I got to pace myself.

So I'm back into lawn mode...and at full-speed!

The lawn never went dormant this year and looks pretty good. The back yard took a little beating from the dog and there are some areas I sprayed into December as they looked suspicious.

Here is the front today, 3/15: and the back:

The lawn is a mix of Award, Midnight, Bedazzled, and Amazing PR (30-30-30-10). (I plan to add some Bewitched to my shadier areas.)

So far I have mowed two times and sprayed some iron.

Looking closely at the lawn today, both front and back have some POA seedlings; the more I look the more I see. Based on the color of the POA that are showing seeds, I see that I have a bit more on my hands, it's pretty spread out.

Not good.

I was just out doing some spot spraying with Tenacity, but I began to feel the blanket spray might be the better course of action. I know Tenacity isn't as effective this time of year (temps are from high 40s to maybe 60+ at times), but is it better to hit it sooner than later? Is there a schedule I should follow? Blanket spray every 10-12 days at 1/2 teaspoon per gallon?

I put in some seeds over the winter before our only snow; some seeds are visible, but not much, which means I feel they are well into the soil. Since I dropped some seeds and am planning to do a bit more seeding (I removed a flower bed) I have some Tupersan on the way. I was planning on doing two apps 4 weeks apart (first app this weekend), and follow up with Lesco 15-0-5 with 13% Dimension around 5/10.

So here's my general plan, any advice from the experts would be GREAT!

3/17
Tupersan and blanket spray Tenacity (?)

3/26 (approx).
Lesco Eagle Fungicide (I had a bit of a problem late fall '11 with disease.) I will follow up with the bag's preventative recommendation.

4/1 (approx.)
Seed bare spots/what used to be a flower bed and add some Bewitched to my shade areas and very light topdressing of peat moss. Bag rate Milorganite.

4/14
Second application of Tupersan.

4/28
Milorganite at bag rate.

5/12
Lesco 15-0-5 with 13% Dimension

TBD...

With all the above tentively scheduled, where would spraying BL conditioner and Kelp Help best fit in?

Any suggestions, criticisms, etc. is really welcome!

Thanks guys! I am overall really happy with the way my fall 2011 renovation came out, and any success is attributed to you all!

I would hold off on the fungicide and try the preventative measures. You'll also have a tough (ney impossible) time getting KBG to germinate if 30% of your stand is Perennial Rye. Rest of plan looks pretty good.

Thanks for the QUICK reply! There is only 10% PR, and I'm adding some Bewitched to the mix in areas that were a bit weak from the shade.

HkyPlur wrote:Thanks for the QUICK reply! There is only 10% PR, and I'm adding some Bewitched to the mix in areas that were a bit weak from the shade.

OK, let us know if you can get germination. You may want to wait until May to try to get KBG to germinate in a shady area, ground temps are too low now. I think Andy seeded some Moonlight and America into his shadier areas last May with success. By August/September the sun is usually to low.

Only problem is that I'd really like to have some Dimension down by early May to help continue fighting the POA that's attacking now!

Sometimes I feel like I should skip seeding all together now and get some straight Dimension (or something else?) down right away to fight at the same time as the Tenacity applications...

jglongisland wrote:

HkyPlur wrote:Thanks for the QUICK reply! There is only 10% PR, and I'm adding some Bewitched to the mix in areas that were a bit weak from the shade.

OK, let us know if you can get germination. You may want to wait until May to try to get KBG to germinate in a shady area, ground temps are too low now. I think Andy seeded some Moonlight and America into his shadier areas last May with success. By August/September the sun is usually to low.