[gm560]

I moved into my house a few years back. The lawn was pretty bad. Dead spots, tons of weeds, bad soil, you name it. The house was vacant for a season while it was stuck in probate and the inheritor didn't mow more than a few times. I have spent a fair amount of time improving it and I have made good progress…. to the point where, this season, I have been flagged down by neighbors and passers-by for advice several times.

Now, they are going to think I have lost it, because I think I want to kill it all and start fresh. Which means I will prove them right if I screw it up! Here is my plan to make sure that doesn't happen. Feedback is welcome, even if that feedback is "don't do it you idiot".

July 11th - Spray roundup
WATER
July 18th - Spray roundup again
WATER
July 21st - Spray roundup last time

July 28st and 29nd - Scalp, aerate, topdress and level with a 50/50 mix of sand and mushroom compost

August 4th - Seed down
I already have in my possession:
10 lbs Bewitched KBG
7 lbs Midnight KBG
5 lbs Mazama KBG
3 lbs Everglade KBG
3 lbs Bedazzled KBG

My mix plans are as follows and I realize, I am probably over thinking this.
Front: There is more shade on some of the lawn due to some mature maple trees, so I tried to choose some more shade tolerant cultivars. I over seeded some Bewitched into it in the fall and it seems to be doing well. So, I am confident it should work out well.
-Bewitched
-Mazama
-Everglade
Back: Gets sun pretty much all day. Kids play back here so I chose bedazzled, even though I think it's a lighter green I understand it recovers pretty well.
-Bewitched
-Midnight
-Bedazzled

Plans for seeding.
Coating: Soil Moist Seed Coat
Fert:
- Milorganite (assuming I can find some) recommended rate of ~1 bag per 1k
- I have some left over starter as well (https://www.seedsuperstore.com/catalog/p-100008/kinder-blend-starter-fertilizer). Should I apply this too and at what rate? I saw Pete did this, but not how much and a little nervous I might screw something up.
Cover (request for advice):
- Peat moss for level areas (most of the lawn)
- EZ Straw with tack on slopes and by road

Water, wait, and pray.

I will post some pictures later on.

 

[SJ Lawn]

Tuna can test of sprinkler system to ensure even coverage. Good luck !

 

[gm560]

Tuna can test of sprinkler system to ensure even coverage. Good luck !

Yup. I did this when I did my overseed. Spent a lot of time getting my configuration set up and I think i have good coverage.

 

[ericgautier]

Check your local HD to see if they have a Peat Moss Spreader. I rented one at the Bridgewater HD (400 Promenade Blvd) and it made spreading peat moss a breeze.

 

[social port]

How many times per day are you planning to water, and for how long each time?

Have you considered Tenacity/mesotrione on seeding day? It can help prevent weeds during a reno. I really like the Scott's formulation of starter fert cut with mesotrione.

By the way, you can apply starter fert with the milorganite, but I would consider the milo expendable. I prefer having a nice supply of NP and K when seeding, but that is probably more of a personal preference than anything else. You may want to check to see if your soil is low in P or K.

 

[Turfguy93]

If you're looking for a dark green lawn maybe hold off on bedazzled. If I remember right it's a lighter green color and greens up quicker in the spring spreading in on the darker cultivars while they are still dormant

 

[gm560]

How many times per day are you planning to water, and for how long each time?

Have you considered Tenacity/mesotrione on seeding day? It can help prevent weeds during a reno. I really like the Scott's formulation of starter fert cut with mesotrione.

I have always done 3x a day for 15 min each. 5am, 11 am, 4 pm. I have 2 spigots and a 3 way timer on both with a variety sprinklers around the property to get good coverage. It takes awhile to get through each cycle.... would love to do an inground install, but can just think of several ways I'd rather spend a few thousand. I already got the blessing from the boss to do the reno... best to not push it

Yes, I should have mentioned I will definitely be using Tenacity at seed down. I have a new bottle so will likely do the spray app.

 

[gm560]

If you're looking for a dark green lawn maybe hold off on bedazzled. If I remember right it's a lighter green color and greens up quicker in the spring spreading in on the darker cultivars while they are still dormant

How much lighter are we talking? I have researched and never got a great answer. The front I definitely want to be dark green and as uniform as possible (to the point I am still considering a bewitched mono.... they look so money). But in the back, I prefer to keep the chemicals to a min, so if its extra aggressive and that helps me fight weed pressure and recover faster from kids at play, that's more important to me than super dark green. But I also don't want it to look like a camo print... I would appreciate any input on that.

 

[gm560]

Check your local HD to see if they have a Peat Moss Spreader. I rented one at the Bridgewater HD (400 Promenade Blvd) and it made spreading peat moss a breeze.

Thanks @ericgautier. This is probably a great idea. I spread some by hand last time and felt like it didnt come all the way off for like two days.

 

[gm560]

Do my dates look okay? Seed down Aug 4 doesn't feel like "fall seeding". What do I do if its still hot as hell out there? Delay a week or just charge ahead?

 

[OnyxsLawn]

Your plan looks pretty similar to what I've been putting together albeit a few weeks earlier. no fear of roasting your seedlings at the end of August?

Also have you thought about trying germinate a bit of your seed in pots to see how the different varieties mix together, mainly the bedazzled? I'd be interested to see how the color numbers from NTEP trials translate into actual perceived difference.

 

[gm560]

Your plan looks pretty similar to what I've been putting together albeit a few weeks earlier. no fear of roasting your seedlings at the end of August?

Yes, lots of it. It can be pretty hot here in August, but I read all the time to aim for seed down first week in August. Maybe I push a week or two?

Also have you thought about trying germinate a bit of your seed in pots to see how the different varieties mix together, mainly the bedazzled? I'd be interested to see how the color numbers from NTEP trials translate into actual perceived difference.

Not a bad idea, although I have heard some change colors pretty drastically as they age. Bewitched in particular seems to start light and get much darker in a season or two.

 

[OnyxsLawn]

Yes, lots of it. It can be pretty hot here in August, but I read all the time to aim for seed down first week in August. Maybe I push a week or two?

August can be pretty brutal here too but then again we had a week of 90s in late september so who really knows.
I've got mine planned to go down on the 13th but a lot of that is how much time it will take to kill off the lawn, install a sprinkler system, and do some serious leveling work after we get back from a vacation. I guess if its too hot you can always throw down more seed when it cools down, all the prep will be done.

 

[social port]

@gm560 It looks like to me that you have covered your bases pretty well. A seed roller is one possible addition to help with seed to soil contact. It is absolutely not necessary, but it may have some positive impact (not sure how much).
For your seed down date: I think it is wise to make a rough plan based on when other successful reno'ers from your region have seeded. It looks like @ericgautier went for 8/16 one year and 8/27 another. Quick germination too.
https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=218
You can use that as your rough guide and then modify, if necessary, depending on rain and temps.

 

[ericgautier]

@social port lol, I just moved those Journals over a few minutes ago from the "other" site.

 

[SNOWBOB11]

FWIW for my reno last year I was trying for a seed down date of August 15th but because of thunderstorms and downpours I ended up putting it off a few days to August 18th. I definitely think you can do seed down in early August and it will probably turn out just fine but if you could put it off until mid August I'd say it would probably be a better bet.

 

[gm560]

FWIW for my reno last year I was trying for a seed down date of August 15th but because of thunderstorms and downpours I ended up putting it off a few days to August 18th. I definitely think you can do seed down in early August and it will probably turn out just fine but if you could put it off until mid August I'd say it would probably be a better bet.

Thanks. Good to know. I would frankly rather wait a little bit. Gives me more time to prep.

 

[gm560]

By the way, you can apply starter fert with the milorganite, but I would consider the milo expendable. I prefer having a nice supply of NP and K when seeding, but that is probably more of a personal preference than anything else. You may want to check to see if your soil is low in P or K.

I am curious to find out more about this. I saw @Pete1313 did it, so I figured if the cool kids are doing it... Honestly not an insignificant expense, so if I can do with out it thats fine by me.

I have spent the past few years trying to get the soil back to a decent level and I think I am there. Other than being a bit alkaline, I am good on everything else. I have been pretty diligent with organic fert and have put down a pretty obscene amount of humic. I also mulch grass and leaves like crazy. I even went to the point I was sneaking out and taking leaves that neighbors put out to be collected in the fall and mulching them on my lawn. Looks like crap for a day or two, but oh man does it help in the spring.

 

[social port]

I even went to the point I was sneaking out and taking leaves that neighbors put out to be collected in the fall and mulching them on my lawn.

Now that is dedication. :thumbup:
I would do the same, but I hesitate because I don't want to bring weed seeds into the yard (mainly bermuda)

I used only starter fert for my reno (no Milo), but I was very low in P and K at the time. For my overseed this fall, I will be using both Milo and starter, but only because I don't have much opportunity to use Milo and want to take advantage of the primetime fertilization window in the fall.

 

[gm560]

I even went to the point I was sneaking out and taking leaves that neighbors put out to be collected in the fall and mulching them on my lawn.

Now that is dedication. :thumbup:

My wife has different choice words for it. I prefer yours