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Centipede Reel Mowed, GrassAndWater12 Lawn Journal

20K views 50 replies 11 participants last post by  GrassAndWater12  
#1 ·
This will be my first full year of reel mowing with my newly acquired California Trimmer.



Since their are very few centipede lawns on TLF my hopes are to assist others along with improving my knowledge as well.

My lawn journey started with a drainage issue in my driveway.



Then once I found a contractor to run a French drain I thought I may as well get him to install the irrigation I have always wanted.



I've been addicted to grass every since and I have a good friend that owns a lawn spraying company that I can always rely on for advice.
This is how I ended the year last year.

So here we go... Here is to another great growing season. This photo was taken today, will be scalping soon!

 
#3 ·
Done a lot since my last post but failed to take pictures so I guess it doesn't count!

But I scalped,
Changed oil/tuned up all equipment
Backlapped CT for the first time shout out to @SGrabs33 for the kit and handle extension.
Installed handle extension on CT. Never imagined how difficult and aggravating it would be! But it looks great and definitely was much needed since I'm 6ft.

More posts and pics to follow. Will be putting the CT on grass soon!!
 
#6 ·
Jacob_S said:
very nice, mowing centipede with a reel will reely make it look amazing. I mow mine at 3/4" and if I can be honest it almost stripes better than the bermuda.
Thank you, I've always thought the opposite though. I'm anxious to see the results of mowing the entire year with it. Will be doing another aeration and sand leveling later this year as well.

I just looked at your journal, it's looking great and has came a long way as well. I like that JDalso, but definitely not on that level yet. Thanks again.
 
#10 ·
Last week applied 16-4-8 at .5 rate, had some yellowing, sprayed of iron and it's starting to blend together.

That one dry spot always gives my troubles. There is a head to the right of it so I know it's getting water. Last year I aerated, leveled with sand, sprayed hydratain, and nothing seems to help. Seeing a good bit of brown stolons with a a little green so my next step is to dethatch that one area. I'm open to suggestions though.
 
#11 ·
Have you tried the screwdriver test before and after irrigation? Or placed some cups on the lawn to see how much water your irrigation is applying at those dry spots?

Also, you can use that a screwdriver for another test to see what is underneath the top layer of soil.

I had 2 areas where I couldn't get my sod to root well. I used a screwdriver to puncture a couple of holes in those places, and noticed that after a couple of inches down into the soil it turned into gravel mixed with larger rocks. After digging out that area and using dirt fill to about 10" deep, I haven't had any more problems in those spots.

Some other places this is common is along roadways or driveway/sidewalks, and near foundations.
 
#12 ·
AFBiker2011 said:
Have you tried the screwdriver test before and after irrigation? Or placed some cups on the lawn to see how much water your irrigation is applying at those dry spots?

Also, you can use that a screwdriver for another test to see what is underneath the top layer of soil.

I had 2 areas where I couldn't get my sod to root well. I used a screwdriver to puncture a couple of holes in those places, and noticed that after a couple of inches down into the soil it turned into gravel mixed with larger rocks. After digging out that area and using dirt fill to about 10" deep, I haven't had any more problems in those spots.

Some other places this is common is along roadways or driveway/sidewalks, and near foundations.
I did a slight adjustment on one of the sprinkler heads and have been only watering that spot by hand for a few days and it's looking better. I'm aerating next week so Since I'll be putting holes in everything I'll investigate a little deeper. I would hate to have to pull out cinderblocks and rocks but that might be the issue. Thanks.
 
#16 ·
Put the CT on the 6th notch and mowed what I refer to as my "hell strip". Kept the same HOC on the biggest part of the front lawn, Ouse the strip as a test area. Put .5 N on the strip and will cut it on the 5th notch next time. Definitely winning the grass game on both sides lol.

Also had a loose chain on CT but with some great advice from SGrabs33 I had it back on the lawn in no time.






 
#21 ·
Ccnewton said:
Looks great. I feel late June and early July is when centipede really comes into its own.
Thanks I appreciate it. I would agree with that statement about the timeframe. Centipede is always a little lighter (unless spraying iron weekly) than I would like in order for it to stand out even more from the rest of the neighborhood. But I'm the only one, probably in the county, that is reel mowing and sometimes I feel like the only one that takes pride in their property at that, so it's definitely standing out. Zoom in and look at the yard beside mine. No it's not a foreclosure!!
 
#26 ·


Got it looking about as good as it'll get for the moment. I raised the HOC from the 4th notch to the 3rd on the CT.

Also the owner of the property to the right of mine has just contacted me wanting me to take on his lawn!! I agreed and will def start a new thread on that lawn!! Pretty anxious to get it going even though my work is definitely cut out for me.