After Midnight 22k mono renovation 2023

2154 Views 30 Replies 9 Participants Last post by curt508, 10 d ago

curt508

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Alright.. the front yard is getting a makeover.

I’ve spent the past 2 seasons getting my equipment, cultural practices and brain in order. I’ve read through more threads here before I joined than I care to admit, but I’m glad I came out of the shadows to join you all.

I purchased my home in 2018 and have a mishmash of grass that does not ever scratch my itch. The neighbors compliment me often and I have one of the nicest looking yards in the neighborhood (from the street). That being said, some neighbors in the other neighborhood own landscaping companies.I want their yard.

After researching cultivars and checking NTEP studies, I have decided to pull the trigger on a mono stand of After Midnight KBG. If future me struggles to control fungus and insect damage, I will deal with it then. Surprisingly I have not seen anyone Reno with this exact cultivar yet, but it tests higher than original Midnight in my area. I know that’s a popular Reno choice.
I’m excited and scared, but it’s going to happen mid-August.

I am glad to be a part of this forum, and to add another Reno thread for others to learn from, good or bad!

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #2 · 2 mo ago

I have started an excel spreadsheet calendar, but I am following the reno guide. Seed down goal is mid-August. One thing I am adding is harley raking/leveling with topsoil 10-14 days after the first glyphosate app.

My yard is relatively level, but I bounce on the zero turn quite a bit. I have access to a bobcat and can rent the attachment so why not? I am not sure how much topsoil to use per k, but I am seeing 1 yard/k is a general consensus.

curt508

Discussion Starter · #3 · 1 mo ago

2

The eagle has landed

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #4 · 1 mo ago

Currently weighing my options for protection from washout. About 50% of the 22k is sloped in some way. Although not severe, I’m sure a hard rain would cause lots of movement.

Peat runs around $22 for 3 cubic ft. That would run me north of $500 for just one bag per k. That’s before the cost of buying/renting a spreader.

I was quoted $0.12/ft for Hydroseeding, mulch and tackifier only.I haven’t made any decision, but if anyone reading this has any ideas or solutions my ears are open.

Rooster

· #5 · 1 mo ago

This maybe answers a question I hadn't yet asked. When should I order seed for an August/September bluegrass reno? Now?

curt508

Discussion Starter · #6 · 1 mo ago

Rooster said:
This maybe answers a question I hadn't yet asked. When should I order seed for an August/September bluegrass reno? Now?

For what it’s worth, Twin City said they expect this particular KBG to be sold out around July. Idk about other cultivars. It depends on the yield, but the earlier the better.

Rooster

· #7 · 1 mo ago

@curt508, thanks! I wasn't sure if stock right now was the most recent harvest or not, so I wondered if I should wait. I don't want to miss out though. FWIW, I'm getting SPF-30, so I'm not sure what the stock situation will be. I'll go ahead and order.

curt508

Discussion Starter · #8 · 1 mo ago

5

Sprayed mesotrione at 2 oz rate 5 days ago. Poa started lighting up yesterday. I did this mainly to experiment since this is my first ever meso app, and if I killed the lawn who cares?

I’ll be knocking the Poa spots down with glyphosate through the next month.

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #9 · 1 mo ago

Rooster said:
@curt508, thanks! I wasn't sure if stock right now was the most recent harvest or not, so I wondered if I should wait. I don't want to miss out though. FWIW, I'm getting SPF-30, so I'm not sure what the stock situation will be. I'll go ahead and order.

If you know what you want and have the means to stock up now, go for it. I feel much better having it on hand while planning the nuke!

I am also going to toss some seed in a pot and see what happens. Should hold me over until the real work starts.

Supergrass

· #10 · 1 mo ago

What made you chose after midnight vs midnight? Also whats you location?

curt508

Discussion Starter · #11 · 1 mo ago

Supergrass said:
What made you chose after midnight vs midnight? Also whats you location?

I’m located in southern MA, coastal. Higher overall NTEP rating (I based off Storrs, CT ratings) along with improved dollar spot resistance and shade tolerance drew me to After Midnight.

curt508

Discussion Starter · #12 · 1 mo ago

Well the Harley rake is pretty sweet. Using it to clear for a mulch bed, planting a privacy screen. Decided to try it out to see how it will work for the reno

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joec-ct

· #13 · 27 d ago

I am in CT and also saw that After Midnight scored very high for the NTEP, Storrs. I am mixing it with Mazama and Bewitched for a north facing lawn Reno mid August. It has partial shade. I'm definitely going to follow along for motivation. It's great to know someone nearby will be doing a 100% KBG reno as well. Cheers!

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #14 · 22 d ago

joec-ct said:
I am in CT and also saw that After Midnight scored very high for the NTEP, Storrs. I am mixing it with Mazama and Bewitched for a north facing lawn Reno mid August. It has partial shade. I'm definitely going to follow along for motivation. It's great to know someone nearby will be doing a 100% KBG reno as well. Cheers!

Great minds think alike!

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MassHole

· #15 · 21 d ago

Western Mass here, Midnight monostand conversion, so following this!

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MassHole

· #16 · 21 d ago

curt508 said:
Currently weighing my options for protection from washout.

I had this issue, and i pre germinate for 5 days, then mix 10-1 with granular humic, and slit seed. Worked great.

Reactions: 1

tommydearest

· #17 · 21 d ago

curt508 said:
Currently weighing my options for protection from washout.

I'm contemplating a reno this fall, too. I have a drainage ditch along the side of my property and have wondered about whether or not I should use blankets. I think I'm just not going to scalp that area as low and hope the dead grass shields the seeds from washout. Hopefully, it won't shade them out too much.

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #18 · 18 d ago (Edited)

Hey guys! Thank you for the responses since my last log in. I’ve been going nuts with the skidsteer. I planted 85 green giants along my fence after Harley raking (for a taste) and then dropped 25 yards of hardwood mulch. Also decided to build that 400 sq/ft patio we have been thinking about for years, so I’m sorry for being quiet in this thread.
That being said, the right side of my driveway where the tree stump was (removed it last week) is all torn up. Great! I don’t care because I’ll be Harley raking prior to seed down. This Reno has given me an excuse to tear up the yard and not care. Strange.
Tenacity app bleached out the unwanted triv but I’ll need to hit it with gly soon before it goes dormant. The 2 oz rate actually did a good deal of damage on the bentgrass, but I don’t think one app will make a full kill. Will gly that as well.

curt508

Discussion Starter · #19 · 18 d ago

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Dog Sky Plant Tree Shade

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No, I didn’t mean to get the dog in the pics. He just doesn’t leave my side.

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curt508

Discussion Starter · #20 · 18 d ago

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This is what my soil looks like in the deck area. I’m no pro at diagnostics but it looks pretty good to me.

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