I got a visit from the city forestry department today. Turns out one of my maple trees (closet to driveway) was supposed to be removed back in 2021, and is slated for removal this fall (sooner if I pay for it).

According to the forestry supervisor, the method used prevents trees coming down on my side of sidewalk. On the plus side, that should not ruin my planned reno. Down side would be potentially dealing with an ugly parkway in early 2026.

On the plus side of that, it would allow for so much more sunlight. That means I am going to go with my dream idea of a 100% KBG main front. Either the same mix as the back or something containing Mazama. That would allow me to copy the backyard, collars and reel mowing in the front. I thought about Amity, but the idea of only two small areas to overseed would save me a lot of time in the future.

I have been analyzing my average shade throughout the year. With both trees currently, in the growing season I am able to get 5+ hours of sun the first 6 weeks (starting April) and once the leaves fall. Late May onward, it is a mix of 4 hours morning or afternoon sun, depending on where along the sidewalk the shadows are. My front yard is south facing, so more sun than the backyard gets.

Some older pictures for reference with time and date. I backdated sunrise/sunset times and I am confident it will workout. I'd have to map out where I would reel mow, probably do a 4 pass wide collar along the sidewalk and a single pass everywhere else.

 

Surveyed the backyard since the last round of snow melted. One dead spot (dog urine). Providing I can get the back half of the driveway redone this year, I will eliminate part of the area my table used to be (by flamingo) to straighten up the mowing.

 

Over 2.5" of snow so far. I'm ready for spring.

 

The snow has been gone and rain has been in the forecast. Ground is still frozen so no early soil temps yet.

I didn't feel like working on the broken bolt on the 1600 so it's in the shop. My4sons sprayer batteries are charged up. Need a new blade for the Recycler and will sharpen the Timemaster blades.

I need to purchase seed for the renovation, more greens grade 0-0-50 and Xzemplar. Still checking other products.

Back in December my other rotator cuff was injured from years of compensating. Been doing PT at the VA, but it's still not close to being better.

Next week will see highs in the 50's, but lows indicate still waiting for pre-emurgent to go down. If the ground dries up I can pull soil samples to send to Waypoint.

The front yard has that typical matting from a few consecutive weeks of snow cover. The backyard looks fine. I would like to go out in the warmer weather to fluff up the lawn. Historically it's been around St. Patrick's Day when I do it.

From Saturday afternoon.

I'm off for two weeks from work and I really want to get outside and start.

 

The snow has been gone and rain has been in the forecast. Ground is still frozen so no early soil temps yet.

I didn't feel like working on the broken bolt on the 1600 so it's in the shop. My4sons sprayer batteries are charged up. Need a new blade for the Recycler and will sharpen the Timemaster blades.

I need to purchase seed for the renovation, more greens grade 0-0-50 and Xzemplar. Still checking other products.

Back in December my other rotator cuff was injured from years of compensating. Been doing PT at the VA, but it's still not close to being better.

Next week will see highs in the 50's, but lows indicate still waiting for pre-emurgent to go down. If the ground dries up I can pull soil samples to send to Waypoint.

The front yard has that typical matting from a few consecutive weeks of snow cover. The backyard looks fine. I would like to go out in the warmer weather to fluff up the lawn. Historically it's been around St. Patrick's Day when I do it.

From Saturday afternoon.

View attachment 61815

I'm off for two weeks from work and I really want to get outside and start.

Just curious, there appears to be a higher border around a tightly kept turf. Is that intentional?

 

Picked up the Greensmaster 1600 yesterday. Work was done free of charge! Putting up new cameras, upgrading from Arlo.

This view will be much more pleasant come green up.

 

Compared to last year, the lawn is slower greening up. So far I have seen TruGreen and one local fertilizing company.

Busy few days when it was warm. I cut down so many weed tree branches and vines in the back. There's one left growing into the low voltage lines.

Busy work. Putting in a border for the dog potty area and replacing the rocks with mulch. The landscape timber should be just above grade of the 6a stones.

My one off-season annoyance. I discovered this after the first heavy snowstorm. Driveway guy came out and said he will tear out and replace 3 slabs, also have the mixing company take a look. All this despite me never using salt.

 

Slow green up here too, though it looks like progress today. Fourth warm day in a row and its 80°F today and tomorrow. That's winter for you.

 

Cold nights aren't helping.

 

Pulled soil samples from my front yard as well as my parent's front. Tomorrow I will get the back and overnight it to Waypoint. Did some light raking as well. I need to get the leaf vaccum out.

Typical matting down in the front. I wonder if being under the canopy of the maple trees has something to do with it, as well as dog walker foot traffic. I know it will be fine in a few weeks.

48.6° average 5 day soil temps on Greencast show its closing in on Dimension time.

The back doesn't need raking, just debris cleaning. Even the collars are fine.

My dog thinks it's lawn time already.

 

Soil samples sent out. Leaf vaccuum some of the backyard. Irrigation set to turn on April 12th and booked my shut off for the third week in October (for now).
Very warm today.

Trying to convince the neighbor to remove these along the fence.

 

It is lawn time. Listen to the dog…

 

I’m nearby in Macomb County. Is there a good place to buy seeds nearby?

 

I'm not sure about nearby. I use Seed SuperStore and United Seed.

 

Soil test results came back. I'm shocked the pH in the front went down. My parent's used the same fertilizing company I had in the past. Theirs needs some work.

Still in the early stages of optimum and watching the predicted rainfall for this wweekend. I COULD spray Thursday night since there is about .40" or so of rain. However, Sunday shows .79" total. The next chance weather wise would be the following Thursday (dragging hoses out). Not sure about the first split application.

 

Almost 3" of rain the last two days, no flooding again thankfully. Spraying Dimension tomorrow early evening since it's raining again this weekend. Soil shouldn't be too saturated.

Side of the house looks pretty rough compared to years past. Rest of the front is coming along. Backyard is still greening up.

.

 

Almost 3" of rain the last two days, no flooding again thankfully. Spraying Dimension tomorrow early evening since it's raining again this weekend. Soil shouldn't be too saturated.

Side of the house looks pretty rough compared to years past. Rest of the front is coming along. Backyard is still greening up.

. View attachment 63291
View attachment 63290
View attachment 63292

Looming good! Will you turn the dimension to a liquid or just put down the granules?

 

Dimension down at .38oz/k. Second application in one month. Rain tonight/ tomorrow. Will drag hoses out this weekend if rainfall is not sufficient.

Spread .50lbs/ k of 0-0-50. I need some warmer and dry days for the first mow.

May nuke and plug the clover spot if two rounds of T-Zone don't take care of it.

 

Rain and snow mix today. So working on removing the metal fence slats along the back fence. Lots of dead branches and vines to clear. I wish I did it years ago. Backyard still waking up. The lawn still needs a proper vaccuming.

 

Irrigation turned back on. Oil changed and blades sharpened on the Timemaster and Recycler.

Good top growth in part of the front, back is sparse. Aiming for first mow tomorrow. Lawn is still wet and overnight hovering around freezing.

 

Mowed the front at 2.75" main front and parkway 2.50".

I went to drain the oil on the Greensmaster with a siphon which I did last year. Spilled some oil on the drum. I think Alligator wipes and a cloth got it off. Needless to say, the bolt to drain is on ridiculously tight. So back to the shop tomorrow morning. Not in a push reel mood for the first cut. It'll be cooler with rain for a few days, so I'll hold off til Thursday.

Applied 0-0-50 on front at .25lbs/k.
Applied 0-0-50 in back at .20lbs/k.
Grub-Ex at a rate of 2.85lbs/k front and back. Then the rain started.

N:
P:
K: .75lbs/ k.

Back:
N:
P:
K: .70lbs/ k.

 

Neighbor's big tree in the back corner was cut down. More sunlight for that area and one less eyesore. Davey was nice enough to drop one big branch on the lawn before I put a stop to more.

25mph wind gusts prevented me from changing the oil today.

 

Suction gun, blanket and syringe to change the oil in the Greensmaster.

First backyard mow in the books. Maintaining .90" and 2.75" collars. This blend of KBG sure does take its time waking up in Michigan. The Ring camera sure does highlight the areas that aren't green yet. My passes weren't straight, still trying to regain my strength.

I'm aiming for next week to drop nitrogen. Maybe around the weekend (if it stays warm) to spray the weeds.

 

Mowed front at 2.75".

 

Edged part of the front yard. Ordered 5lbs of SS1100 for the front reno. This variety consists of Lunar, Mazama and Bluebank.

Reel mowed the back. Sprayed RGS front and back at a rate of 3oz/k.

 

Two mows in and much needed rain.

Sprayed Sea-K front and back at a rate of .50oz/k. More rain tomorrow.

 

Mowed. Raised the front to 3.25".

 

Fertilized front and back with 18-24-12 at a rate of .38lbs/k N. This is my least favorite granular to spread. I have to dial the hopper to more than half rate to get an even spread. Same for the hand spreader.

Spraying Propiconazole front and back at a rate of 1oz/k tonight. Noticed sporadic lesions throughout the lawn. I'd say leaf spot based on recent factors.

I bought Speedzone for post emergent weeds. Dimension split application is due in about a week. Next two fertilizer applications will be 14 days apart. The backyard really needs to get going. It's still slow going just like 2023.

Front:
N: .38lbs/k
P: .50lbs/k
K: 1lbs/ k
S: .27lbs/k
Cl: .22lbs/k

Back:
N: .38lbs/k.
P: .50lbs/k.
K: .95lbs/ k
S: .25lbs/k
Cl: .22lbs/ k

 

how do you like that Lesco spreader? I’ve been looking at purchasing one….

 

Mowed. Pulled 5 dandelions in the back. Did the walk of shame refilling the Greensmaster. Finally refit the new PRS head on the Echo. First true edging this year was rough with damp soil. Went 5 days between mowing.

Finally an overhead view worthy of posting.