[Dkd71]

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My first post, looking to gain alot of wisdom here, looks like a great, informative site.

I'm looking to renovate my 1 total acre of grass which is split up Into 3 sections. I'm working on one section this fall and I'm debating between Lesco Transition blend or Falcon, both are avail close to where I live.

The yard has been tilled, low spots filled with topsoil, I have 3 yards of topsoil/organic mix which I'm going to mix in.

Should I mix the remaining 3 yards Into the soil or use as a top dressing?

Also, I can't decide between the two seeds listed. Looking for the better shade and drought tolerant mix, is either one superior or am I splitting hairs?

Looks like the Falcon has quite a following...looking for opinions.

Thank you.

 

[Sinclair]

NTEP is always a good first stop when deciding on a cultivar for your locale.

This is the 2016 Tall fescue data for College Park, MD, which seems to be the closest geographically to Northern VA.

http://www.ntep.org/data/tf12/tf12_17-8/tf12md116t.txt

I'm sure someone local to you might chime in with personal experience.

Cheers and welcome!

 

[Virginiagal]

Here is VA Tech's list of recommended cultivars for Virginia:
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/CSES/CSES-17/CSES-17NP.pdf
You could check the tag on the Lesco blend to see which cultivars are included. I would suggest that you do some research and come up with your own blend, ordering it to be shipped to you, but you are way late in planting. A blend can help in case one cultivar gets wiped out by a disease and the other cultivars are resistant to it. Did you do a soil test? If you had needed lime, tilling would have been an ideal time to incorporate it. Tilling creates a set of problems and many renovate without disturbing the soil. Try to firm up the soil as much as possible. Be sure everything drains away from the house. How are you going to water?

 

[Dkd71]

The soil ph is 6.4, I could add lime and till again..if so, what lime is recommended? I assume a more fast-acting.

The Transition Blend cultivars are:

Padre 38%
Caesar 33%
Kingdom 27%

Yes it's late, I wish I could have don't this last month....I will water with sprinklers on timers.

I also have a tow behind roller, can also be lightened up and made a walk-behind.

 

[Virginiagal]

No, no! No lime! You are in the sweet spot for pH. As for which seed, how about using both? Falcon V is on VA Tech's recommended list and none of the Lesco ones are. You could use mostly Falcon and mix in the other cultivars as insurance. Glad you have a water plan. Are you planning to seed today or after Tuesday's rain?

 

[Dkd71]

Was going for today, looks like am rain but prob wouldn't hurt to wait...not sure of the intensity.

Would I need to lime if I'm adding organic or just leave it alone?

Looks like Falcon isn't avail locally, but there was another fescue my local distributor stocks and it's "Winning Colors" I believe its comprised of...Picasso, Rembrandt, Monet, and VanGogh.

A few people here swear by it, and will likely be my choice. Not 100% certain but for now it looks like the choice.

 

[Virginiagal]

No lime. Organic or nonorganic has nothing to do with it. You do not need lime and adding lime could raise your pH too high. It's great right where it is. Leave it alone.

Every day you wait to seed is a day's worth of growing lost and growing days are getting fewer and fewer. If you are pretty sure you have the ground firmed up and the drainage is good, you could seed today. The advantage to waiting until after the rain is you miss any downpours that might wash the seed and you can make sure drainage is working as it should. If you are finding puddles, there might be low spots you need to fix.

 

[Dkd71]

Ok, no lime....thank you.

Worst case, if I do seed today, could I cover the seed with plastic for a few hours if the rain plans on being slightly moderate?

Also, as far as rolling, should I roll first, rake the seed Into the soil then roll again or just roll the seed on top? I assume being under some soil is more beneficial rather than just on top.

Edit....I will roll either way, just not sure if it matters if the seed needs to be under 1/2" of dirt if I roll them on the surface.

 

[Dkd71]

This is the soil sample from about 1 month ago.

What would you suggest as a starting fert?

 

[Virginiagal]

I don't know how soft/firm your soil is. If you step on it and your feet sink in, it needs to be rolled more (before you seed). Leave the seed on top. If you bury it, it won't germinate. A very light coating of something (compost, soil, straw, peat, etc.) about 1/8 inch can go on top but it's also fine not to use anything. Roll it after you put the seed down. That will help push the seed into the soil. The rain is coming tonight and downpours are possible (there are gale warnings for Arlington). I would not bother with plastic. Just save some seed and if you have washouts, put more seed down tomorrow where it washed.

 

[Virginiagal]

Any starter fertilizer is okay. Or you can skip it (you have plenty of phosphorus). You are low in potassium so that can be something you work on increasing whenever you fertilize. Choose a fertilizer with nitrogen and potassium but little or no phosphorus. For seeding, many people like to use a starter fertilizer so that there is phosphorus right by the seed. It looks like you have plenty and it's not necessary.

 

[Vols_fan08]

Ok, no lime....thank you.

Worst case, if I do seed today, could I cover the seed with plastic for a few hours if the rain plans on being slightly moderate?

Also, as far as rolling, should I roll first, rake the seed Into the soil then roll again or just roll the seed on top? I assume being under some soil is more beneficial rather than just on top.

Edit....I will roll either way, just not sure if it matters if the seed needs to be under 1/2" of dirt if I roll them on the surface.

In my opinion seed needs to be IN the dirt. As with anything in nature. Many of my seed that was on top of the dirt can still be seen sitting there.. JMO from my experience !

 

[Virginiagal]

I agree. They should be in the dirt, in contact with the dirt. Rolling them after spreading should put them in the dirt. Not necessary to be covered, though. I'm afraid that since he has tilled, the seed is going to go too far down. He also has that 3 yards of topsoil sitting there and he has talked about covering them up with a 1/2 inch of soil. Better to err on the side of less dirt covering them.

 

[Vols_fan08]

I agree. They should be in the dirt, in contact with the dirt. Rolling them after spreading should put them in the dirt. Not necessary to be covered, though. I'm afraid that since he has tilled, the seed is going to go too far down. He also has that 3 yards of topsoil sitting there and he has talked about covering them up with a 1/2 inch of soil. Better to err on the side of less dirt covering them.

Roger that. They definitely don't need to be deep down. 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch is ideal. :thumbup:

 

[vnephologist]

Have you already purchased seed? If not, what local stores are you considering? I've seen Mountain View distribute a very good blend as several different names here in central VA. My guess is that it could be found locally in NoVA too. I'll be happy to help you find it.

 

[Dkd71]

Looks like I'm going to wait until tomorrow to lay the seed...we're going to get a strong band of rain late tonight for a couple hours and I don't want to wash the seed away.

I placed a few large tarps down so my work doesn't turn into a canoe....

This part of the lawn is at the bottom of the driveway which is roughly 150', so there's alot of runoff.

The soil is firm, I rolled it today and I can manage a footprint but my foot doesn't sink Into The soil.

I did purchase the seed today, I ended up with Lebanon Turf "Winning Colors". This blend has been doing very well in my area....it's
worth a shot. If it wasn't so late in the game I would research everyone's recommendations further....I truly appreciate everyone's prompt input on this....many thanks.

Here's a pic of the tag.

 

[Virginiagal]

Hope all goes well with your seeding today. In general cool season grass should receive most of the annual fertilizer in the fall. You have missed the optimal September and October times for fertilizing. You can still do the late fall application of a quick release nitrogen after the grass has stopped growing but before the ground freezes. For your potassium, you might find fertilizer with a good supply of potassium. You could also look for sulfate of potassium (0-0-50) which supplies only potassium. Some organic fertilizers that supply a fair amount of potassium are alfalfa (rabbit food pellets) and kelp. Organic fertilizers need warm soil temperatures for the microbes to be active. They are slowing down for fall now. Your new grass will likely need some fertilizer in the spring. What recommendations did you get with the soil test?

 

[Dkd71]

Thanks, I will look for some 0-0-50 after it gets going.
I've been taking care of either my lawn, parents lawn, for quite a number of years, interesting facts here about the depth for the seed....I never really gave it much thought. I've always stuck it in the dirt probably 1/2" to 1", wasn't aware it needed to be closer to the surface.

I should have added more to the title of this thread...."Ideal seed and methods for freshly tilled yard"

With regards to watering, how wet do the seeds need to stay, or just don't let them fully dry out? I can water every hour if needed, or more likely being less frequent. I was thinking 15 min every 2-3 hours maybe 3 or 4 times daily....starting around 6 or 7 AM.

What do you suggest?

 

[monty]

I had a lot of success watering 4 times a day. Morning dew was pretty heavy so first watering at 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm. I watered just enough to get things wet. 5 min per zone on irrigation system

 

[Virginiagal]

The weather is cooler now (less evaporation). The idea is to keep the seed moist until germination, then gradually reduce the frequency and increase the amount of water. Morning dew is keeping my grass wet until noon (or later). Do 5 minutes around midday and 5 minutes mid or late afternoon. That may be enough at this time of year. If not, add another cycle.