[HoosierDaddy]

After a mostly successful back yard reno last year, I decided this year to take on a monostand in the front yard. Best yard on the block, my wife just about relegated me to the couch and all the neighbors though (think?) I'm nuts. Kill went perfect. Seed down Aug 12th. 3 weeks later.. nothing. Some weeds and some grass growth that I still can't pinpoint, but certainly wasn't Bewitched KBG. Quick germination test was going on at the same time: paper towels in a baggie, comparing last years blend (Prosperity, Blueberry and Midnight) to the Bewitched. No germination on the BW. So monostand plans are killed and I spread the blend on 9/2. Pretty late. After 3 weeks of no rain, several 2-inch rainfalls and a lot of washout. Here are the 60-day results:









Plan in the Spring is to PAMPer it. Plugs. Alfalfa. Milk. Philes fertilizer regimen. The 2016 reno area had about 300sq feet that didn't come in properly (I "think" it was the hand sprayed glyso around the edges.) These areas were plugged and filled in nicely through the year. I now have a 3500 sq ft "plug farm" to pull from so hopefully I can salvage much of the front.

 

[jessehurlburt]

That must be disappointing. How often were you watering during the three weeks of no rain? Did you have any peat moss or grass mulch over the seeds? Hopefully you have better luck next year.

 

[j4c11]

Risky business, renovations. Especially bluegrass renovations. I think you reacted correctly to the cards you've been dealt. That's one thing about KBG, there's always hope since it spreads.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Jesse- the original seed down was covered with peat. Watering via in ground irrigation on a good schedule.

If I can make it through the Spring I can tackle anything. So, the next house...

 

[g-man]

Man, it looks rough. One idea is to buy a couple of rolls of kbg sod and use them as plugs now. Ameri-Turf (126/Cumberland) or Genesis Farms (ST38 and 37) both sell KBG sod. It is cool to drive around Genesis properties to see all the lawn fields.

I think the key lesson for other folks doing reno, Test your seeds.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Testing seed germination is my key takeaway. I had started a germination test in early June, but my wife thought it was trash and threw it away. I figured I was safe having bought from a sod farm.

In lieu of buying some sod, any advantage to plugging now instead of next Spring? I was worried it's too late in the year.

 

[JohnP]

G-man has posted in another thread about seeing sod put in frozen ground in December and it taking hold without issue. I don't have experience with it though.

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Hossierlawngnome mentioned that they sell bewitched sod in your area. Maybe just sod the hole front yard being you wanted bewitched to begin with? He said it is a bit pricey though. How much for a roll? Maybe they'll give you a discount for buying it being they sold you bogus seed? Might be worth a try.

 

[g-man]

In lieu of buying some sod, any advantage to plugging now instead of next Spring? I was worried it's too late in the year.

Plugging now helps that the roots start to grab and spread in early March (before you doing the spring plugs movement). But we are having a cold fall now and I'm not sure if it is going to make a difference. If the fall plugs fail, at worst you end up with holes in the backyard from the plugs.

Have you ask HLG what he thinks?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Considering the success I've had this year with Spring plugs, I think that's the way I'm going to go. Essentially, calling it a year and waiting to see what Spring brings. Might be a Spring reno if its gets bad this winter and I don't get anything to take. I have about 20% that I would consider "good" with 40-50% being "bad" and the remainder I'll call "dirt". If the "bad" area takes hold, I'll really have about the same amount in square footage that I had to plug in the back yard last year. Obviously a higher percentage however so it's going to look like crap until next Fall.

 

[ryeguy]

Philes fertilizer regimen

I've read about this (for others, google "philes fertilizer lecture"). How are you applying this in practice?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Light, frequent applications of nitrogen from the start of growing season until the heat of summer. For me that meant biweekly applications of Milorganite at the bag rate from May 1 to late June.

 

[LIgrass]

That is rough to try to turn around. I would go ahead with the spring reno and hope for better establishment from the start. A lawn that sparse is vulnerable to serious poa infestation that could cause problems for years.

 

[ABC123]

Could you possibly dormant seed over this winter? Really sorry this happened.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I haven't had much luck with dormant seeding, but I am considering it for the completely bare spots. I have plenty of seed so I'll probably give it a shot. With the plug success I've had, that's where I'm going to focus my Spring efforts.

 

[g-man]

Do you know about cheesto Reno? Success?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I haven't seen anything on cheesto. Hopefully he had more success than I had at least!

 

[g-man]

@HoosierDaddy I'm wondering how much spreading you had? A long winter and no spring must make this even more challenging for you. Any updates?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

This "Spring" has been rough. 3 Mondays in a row in April with snow. Now upper 80s and 90s in May for the hottest May in the last 100 years. I am seeing decent spreading. Putting the smackdown on the PoaA with weekly Tenacity apps. Last one goes down tomorrow. Hitting with light N every week. 2 rounds of alfalfa so far. No milk yet, but that's coming. 300+ plugs from the back. Fungus watch all summer. I'll get some recent pics up soon!

 

[g-man]

FYI, Advance Turf does have SOP now. It is under this part number EC1999-50LB It is 150sgn