[Pete1313]

That's it?.. That's the secret to an amazing lawn like yours?.. :lol:

 

[Pete1313]

I figured..

 

[Pete1313]

There's all that hard work that makes that place look great! Nice job! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

Scored about 500lb fert from said closing garden center. Could have gotten way more stuff... Fert, soil, compost, bark, etc. Went with what is pictured because he said "take what you want but don't be a pig."

Nice! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

Love the video! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

Ward, I hope you figure out the washboarding. The only times I have seen it is when I mowed too fast or cut off more than I was supposed to. Keep us updated on the results of verticutting. I agree that turf can get too thick over time and can cause problems(mowing in your case but disease is possible if too thick) and why I am a fan of disturbing it by verticutting or aerating.

 

[Pete1313]

Nice work ward! How deep did you set the blades?

 

[Pete1313]

Picture taken 8/15/17

Very beautiful

Agreed! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

Love the video! Can I hire you to do my yard?
Nice job! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

That being said if I'm ever in the neighborhood I'm coming over

:thumbsup: But not too soon... There's nothing to mow yet!

 

[Pete1313]

Nice!

 

[Pete1313]

What does this mean for those of us hoping to reel mow at a higher HOC?

Seems like a concern for a guy like me, considering a TruCut to cut around 2" :-/

Keep in mind that Connor normally maintains at 5/8"-3/4" and he let it grow to 11/4"-11/2. His grass looks amazing and is really dense at the lower HOC and the turf has learned to accept that low HOC (crowns/stems are shorter and closer to the ground). However when short turf like Connor' s is allowed to grow long, it loses it's density, is now mostly leaf tissue, gets floppy, wont spring back up, and will leave stragglers. It can also happen on newly seeded turf some as the young seedlings don't have the strength and density yet. In Connor' s case, I'm sure he just double cut and everything was back to normal.

But when trying to maintain a HOC of 11/4" or maybe higher, the turf is stronger and less likely to stay flopped over before getting cut. Having the right mower setup at the higher HOC will also help.

 

[Pete1313]

Thanks guys.

The front roller was of interest to me to help with striping - and to help protect against scalping.

2" is where I think I would be in the summer (June/July/August), and starting out for year 1. Too much leveling to do all at once (at least, that's my suspicion - not totally sure how smooth it has to be, but I'm assuming it will take me a while).

Sounds like I'm going to need to research groomers a bit more 👍🏼

I'd be happy cutting in the ~1-1/2"range once I get level enough.

The front roller will prevent scalping and maybe stripe alittle better, but most of the amazing stripes you see from reel mowers comes from the full width rear drum/roller.

I agree that at 2" HOC a rotory would be your best option. If leveling/smoothness is your concern for not going lower, I can attest that minimal leveling will need to be done until you get to the 1" HOC and lower when using a reel mower with a full width front roller.

Low mowed cool season grass is not for everyone, it takes more inputs, there are some more risks and challenges, but when done right looks amazing and wardconnor is mastering it! :thumbsup:

 

[Pete1313]

I mowed today. Double wide TGM1600

It's a thing of beauty!!

 

[Pete1313]

I am secretly jealous of your triple fat triplex stripes.

Just go one wider with the GM1600.. Same thing!

 

[Pete1313]

Awesome as always @wardconnor!.. I have to ask though, why a pic of June 2nd on November 5th? Maybe a pic to remember all the fun you had growing grass this year as the snow is around the corner?