[FailedLawn]

I am renovating my back yard this spring and have united super turf TTTF blend to use. I’m now inclined to add some KBG into the mix for improved repair due to my dogs/kid using the area. United offers super turf 2 which has 7% Everest KBG in the bag, but I want the KBG separate.
How much KBG % is ideal for blending with a TTTF lawn for a uniform growth, texture, and color?
Is Everest, or another KBG, ideal for use in improved TTTF varieties?

I plan to pregerminate all seeds doing the KBG first and the fescue with a 3-4 day delay.

Irrigation will be installed in my full Sun yard, but I’d honestly like to minimize watering. This was part of my reasoning of using fescue. How will KBG affect the watering needs? I previously had a full KBG lawn, but it suffered in the heat of PA summers.

Just curious if any cultivars come to top of mind for me so I don’t have to dig around chasing ntep seeds.

 

[macattack]

I went with the SuperTurf II for a reno of the hellstrip last year, aboiut 400 sqft, mainly for practice as it was my first reno attempt, and to see how it looks and handles the season here, before I go all in on my front yard. Its the northern side. Pre-germinated 4 days, sprouted in 4 days. Maybe I go 5 or 6 days this year. I do not have irrigation, but we get lots of rainfall, ~44" per year. But there are small summer droughts where its 95°F for several weeks. I only water to keep it from dying if this happens, and during fall overseeding of course if needed.

So far it looks great this year, and its not even spring yet. The summer will be very telling for performance. I didn't want to overthink it. Since the blend is by weight, you really don't want to go over 7-10% KBG. The scientist in me says to go all in and do a design of experiment to optimize pre-germination times, blend ratio, and appearance of different varieties. I just don't have the time right now for that.

 

[FailedLawn]

I hear ya @macattack. I don’t have time for anything. That’s why I’m asking.

I don’t know if it’s even truly worth it to add KBG into my lawn. Adding a different species may bring more problems as it’s solved in regards to disease control, watering, herbicide use/rates, etc.

My fescue is RTF/spreading types, but was thinking KBG may help the cause of repair. I could always just spot seed or transplant fescue to repair as needed.

I’m just not sure if adding KBG is the best route. I’ve always done single species on my lawn, never a mix of PRG/TF/FF/KBG before.

 

[macattack]

I went with the Turf II for some repairability. Summers here are awful, with heat and tons of humidity. I always have a die off late summer, and I hope the KBG limits me having to overseed. I keep the lawn fairly long, though this stuff seems to look better shorter. I couldn't do a spring project, the grass wouldn't survive the Sun once its overhead. I think I can start earlier, normal is Labor Day for seed down. You won't be able to get the KBG in there once the TTTF is established.

 

[BigRedGun]

7-10% KBG is what all the seed companies recommend for mixing. If you went with more aggressive spreading KBG like Bolt, that may help also, but you lose the dark green attributes of KBG. It all depends on what you desire.
I am considering doing a KBG blend Reno this year and then overseeding with TTTF if needed in the years following. But I want to try the KBG first to see how well it does.
I would consider pregerminating the KBG but not the TTTF. TTTF grows quick. The KBG needs a head start.