[Nehf11]

@Reel Low Dad what rate are you planning on seeding the HGT and RPR (rye). How well do you think it will do in our area?

 

[Reel Low Dad]

@Reel Low Dad what rate are you planning on seeding the HGT and RPR (rye). How well do you think it will do in our area?

The HGT calls for 2-3 pounds so I will go with the high rate. I ordered pounds so I will have a little over a pound left for any bare areas.

The RPR in a mono stand calls for 7 pounds a 1000. They have a 80/20 blend of these two. So I will go with probably 2 pounds of the RPR.

I think they will do OK here. The little bit of rye I didn't kill off is doing great. Disease will be my biggest challenge with the humidity we face.

 

[Nehf11]

I saw your youtube video about the rye and bermuda. Very similar issue happened with me this year. I'm done overseeding bermuda yards. Plan this fall is to plant HGT in the front where I have irrigation. Then next spring kill my backyard and plant monaco bermuda and never overseed it.

 

[Green]

Is HGT in it's own category, or is it a lot like other KBG? It's often referred to as if it's distinct in terms of heat tolerance, but what makes it "HGT" versus just KBG?

 

[ksturfguy]

Is HGT in it's own category, or is it a lot like other KBG? It's often referred to as if it's distinct in terms of heat tolerance, but what makes it "HGT" versus just KBG?

HGT is just an acronym that Barenburg Seed uses. Stands for Healthy Grass Technology. Barvette HGT from Barenburg is a cultivator of KBG just like Midnight, Baron, Bewitched, etc. The Turf Blue HGT is a blend of 4 or 5 different KBG cultivators from Barenburg.

The Turf Blue HGT, especially the Barvette scores very high as far as Summer Patch resistance, and heat and drought stress goes so it's a popular mix in the Transition Zone especially in athletic fields. It's a much lighter green compared to Midnight or Mazama KBG but in the end it's all KBG just a different variety.

 

[Green]

@ksturfguy, ok, because there's also hybrid KBG/TBG like Thermal Blue that's a whole different category. I wonder how they compare in heat tolerance, and whether the HGT is the best KBG for heat, or if other cultivars rank just as well. Did you look into all that?

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Everyone seems to be hybridizing at this point if they are a large producer. In the next 5-10 years im sure we'll have hybrids that spread and have color like KBG, germinate like PRG and require less water like TTTF. Seed has already come a long way in the last decade or two it seems.

 

[ksturfguy]

@ksturfguy, ok, because there's also hybrid KBG/TBG like Thermal Blue that's a whole different category. I wonder how they compare in heat tolerance, and whether the HGT is the best KBG for heat, or if other cultivars rank just as well. Did you look into all that?

Yep so 2012-2016 study, Barvette HGT ranked 2nd with drought recovery with 63.3%, behind Barsahara 73.3%. Barsahara is also a Barenburg seed. Mazama had 46.7%.

Summer density it ranked 2nd behind Barserati which is another Barenburg seed.

Barvette ranked #1 in Summer Patch resistance.

Where Barvette struggles is color. It had a 5.2 genetic color ranking which was basically dead last. Midnight and Mazama had a 7.8 rating. So if your looking for that dark green/blue KBG then the HGT blend isn't going to be for you. IF you like the lighter green color and/or just want something that will handle the heat better then it's a good choice.

 

[Green]

@ksturfguy, interesting. I'll keep the HGT cultivars on my radar for the minimally irrigated (ideally non-irrigated, but that's just not possible) low-input area. I don't care about its color or much about consistent appearance...I overseed with whatever ranks well in terms of heat and low-input. Last Fall, I used mostly TTTF, some Hybrid Bluegrass, some Baron and America KBG, and a little more Creeping Red Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass (The PR and CRF had mostly died out last Summer in the worst area after a Summer almost as bad as what you guys normally get). I bought some Mercury KBG to try as plugs, and will keep my eyes open to see if there's any of the HGT locally available in small quantities. I think it would make good plugs, too.

 

[Reel Low Dad]

@Green I bought mine from Todd Valley Farms. They sell it in 5 pound bags. I am only renovating around 1400 square feet so this worked out really well for me.

 

[Nehf11]

Has anyone ever used any of these products before? Wondering if I should do this when I do my reno and seed in late Sept?

https://thelawncarenut.com/products/n-ext-9-0-1-seeding-over-seeding-pack

 

[ksturfguy]

You can use them and it certainly wont hurt anything but you don't need it to get good results.

 

[Reel Low Dad]

Well seed is here. Just need to order some tenacity. Have my round up and fluazifop for the Bermuda kill.

 

[ksturfguy]

@Reel Low Dad Awesome, looking forward to seeing your results. HGT still in the running for me for my 1,000 sqft area but really prefer the darker green look so might be a deal breaker, we'll see.

 

[tgreen]

Looks like they marketed as major league turf, see below. Why would Bush stadium use a blend and not a mono? I've seen mono's suggested a lot on this forum. Why would pro's go with a blend?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwv7IrsoNOs

 

[ksturfguy]

Looks like they marketed as major league turf, see below. Why would Bush stadium use a blend and not a mono? I've seen mono's suggested a lot on this forum. Why would pro's go with a blend?

Not sure any MLB or NFL fields use a monostand, from the few times I've done google searches of what teams use it always seems to be a KBG mix. Now for the reasoning I don't have a really good answer. Most experts recommend a mix so shouldn't be that surprising that pros use them. I'm sure there are a couple teams or golf courses that use a monostand though.

 

[Nehf11]

I've had mine for over a month now. Just waiting on September. What is the reason of using tenacity during seeding? I have some eraser max concentrate coming tomorrow for the kill off.

 

[ksturfguy]

Tenacity is used as a pre emergent at seed down. One of the few pre emergents that will control weeds but will allow grass seed to germinate.

 

[Nehf11]

Ok thank you, that's what I was thinking but never used it.

 

[j4c11]

Here's some info on my 2016 renovation to HGT, along with some pictures through the years:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4020257/j4c11-s-fall-renovation-overseeding

The mix has changed a little since and now includes Barseratti. Keep in mind that Barvette is only about 20-25% of the HGT mix, there's some darker varieties in there as well. Overall, the mix is definitely significantly lighter than say Midnight, it's a medium green. But, very trouble free - fungus is not really an issue and drought/dormancy recovery is much better than fescue. If watered through summer it stays green 12 months out of the year, and may keep you mowing 12 months out of the years. Midnight has actually performed well for me also, so I'd recommend a 30% Midnight - 70% HGT mix if better color is desired.