[pennstater2005]

So, as my title states I'm in the process of choosing seed and could use some advice. I live in Western PA about halfway between Pittsburgh and Erie. My lawn is a mixture of sun and shade throughout the day. I'm definitely leaning toward a northern mix. I'm looking for something of a moderate maintenance level. By that I mean, I do a pre-emergent, fertilize, mow, spot spray, and the like but not much more than that.

Has anyone had experience with the sunny mix that the Super Seed Store sells? It is a mixture of high quality KBG, PRG, and a fescue. Some of the seed mixtures that I can get locally are good except that the bluegrass part is always labeled as VNS (variety not stated). That makes a little nervous.

Any advice, recommendations, or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ericgautier]

For what you are after, a mixture seems to be the way to go. One advantage of buying online over big box is that the seed mix has 0% weed seeds.

I can't comment specifically on the Sunny Mix, but I am helping a co-worker reno and we are going with the SS1100 Bluegrass Blend from Super Seed. The 3 cultivars in the blend did pretty good in NTEP for our area so I am confident in recommending it to him.

Also, think about why you are doing a reno. Do you want to stick with KBG, PRG and Fescue mix (what you have now)? How about just KBG and TTTF mix?

 

[pennstater2005]

Also, think about why you are doing a reno. Do you want to stick with KBG, PRG and Fescue mix (what you have now)? How about just KBG and TTTF mix?

What would be the advantage to this mix? I never thought about leaving PRG out. I'm definitely not opposed to anything!

 

[ericgautier]

Advantage, less of a mix and more uniformity (3 different types of grasses vs 2 ). Easier to maintain too. When I had my NoMix (before I reno'd), there are always spots that would brown quicker. Granted I probably didn't know much back then. Could be the grass types in those areas as well.

 

[pennstater2005]

Advantage, less of a mix and more uniformity (3 different types of grasses vs 2 ). Easier to maintain too. When I had my NoMix (before I reno'd), there are always spots that would brown quicker. Granted I probably didn't know much back then. Could be the grass types in those areas as well.

Any recommendation as to what types of KBG/TTTF? I'm assuming that wouldn't be a mix, correct? I'm only doing a small reno this year but would continue with the backyard if this is successful.

 

[ericgautier]

KBG/TTTF will still be a mix.

TTTF: Bullseye, Turbo, Hemi, Falcon V & Faith
KBG: Bewitched, Blueberry & Prosperity

I'm sure there are plenty more you can choose from, my list is mainly because these are the cultivars I have experience with.

 

[pennstater2005]

I guess I meant it wouldn't be a pre-mixed mix. I would have to order each and then mix. I'm seriously considering the SS1100 mix. Something important that I haven't mentioned is I don't have irrigation. Now, I can definitely water this small 2k reno but eventually it will be 10k and I will probably not be able to keep it watered on a regular basis.

 

[wardconnor]

My vote is 50% Eric's mix of kbg and 50% perennial ryegrass. Can't comment on what cultivars on the perennial ryegrass.

Skip the fescue. It's a bunch grass variety so it's...... Bunchy/clumpy. I have a touch of it in my backyard. I overseed it in not knowing better. I hate it.

What I mentioned above is what I have and I could not be happier. I have a different kbg mix that Eric recommended. Can't say for sure what I have. I need to look at the saved label at my office. I have several pictures of my lawn on the site with a search. Or this

https://youtu.be/FRS1Q0orY5w

EDIT:
You mentioned in your first post that your not going to do much other than pre M, fert, mow, and spot spray. With that... Your already doing more than like 90 percent of most folks. Dont kid yourself there... You secretly will do way more than your leading onto. Once you renovate your all in. Full lawn freak. Can't trick me.

 

[pennstater2005]

My vote is 50% Eric's mix of kbg and 50% perennial ryegrass. Can't comment on what cultivars on the perennial ryegrass.

Skip the fescue. It's a bunch grass variety so it's...... Bunchy/clumpy. I have a touch of it in my backyard. I overseed it in not knowing better. I hate it.

What I mentioned above is what I have and I could not be happier. I have a different kbg mix that Eric recommended. Can't say for sure what I have. I need to look at the saved label at my office. I have several pictures of my lawn on the site with a search. Or this

EDIT:
You mentioned in your first post that your not going to do much other than pre M, fert, mow, and spot spray. With that... Your already doing more than like 90 percent of most folks. Dont kid yourself there... You secretly will do way more than your leading onto. Once you renovate your all in. Full lawn freak. Can't trick me.

You got me! I definitely do way more than anyone around me. I guess I mean no higher level herbicides that cost $300 for 8oz :lol:

I'm leaning toward either the SS1100 mentioned above or a mix as you noted of ***/PRG. This has been he hardest part so far!

 

[kolbasz]

I live near your area and did KBG/PRG (50/50). The front is shaded in the early morning, but as the sun rises it is full sun by lunch and then all day till the sun goes away. It is a solid combo and aside from the bent grass infestation I am dealing with, it looks good and stays green (usually).

Like any lawn, there are things you will need to deal with, but overall the 50/50 has been low maintenance.

 

[pennstater2005]

I live near your area and did KBG/PRG (50/50). The front is shaded in the early morning, but as the sun rises it is full sun by lunch and then all day till the sun goes away. It is a solid combo and aside from the bent grass infestation I am dealing with, it looks good and stays green (usually).

Like any lawn, there are things you will need to deal with, but overall the 50/50 has been low maintenance.

Can I ask where you sourced your seed from? And what cultivars? Thanks!

 

[kolbasz]

lesco/site one landscape

I did not get any of the special online blends. Good seed, zero weed, which is all I really cared about

before I knew about the secret blends and super green kbg, etc.

 

[pennstater2005]

Since we're discussing seed any thoughts on slit seeding? This area is on a grade, actually the whole yard is, and I'm afraid of a wash out. I can rent one close but have zero experience.

 

[ales_gantar]

I was searching for perennial ryegrass atributes and found this.

If not helpful, it is at least entertaining.
http://m.barenbrug.co.uk/documentLibraryDownload.asp?documentID=1774

 

[Budstl]

Bewitched kbg is supposed to do well in the shade.

 

[Roosterchest]

PennStater2005---First, good school choice. Now, I have a northern mix that I was going kill and reno with 100% KBG from SSS. After seeing wardconnor's post yesterday, I decided to buy 10lb of Pangea GLR to add. We'll see how it goes.

 

[pennstater2005]

PennStater2005---First, good school choice. Now, I have a northern mix that I was going kill and reno with 100% KBG from SSS. After seeing wardconnor's post yesterday, I decided to buy 10lb of Pangea GLR to add. We'll see how it goes.

That's my plan as well. Although I'm looking at either 75/25 or 50/50 mix ratio KBG to PRG.

 

[Roosterchest]

My mix by weight is 70% KBG 30% Pangea.

 

[wardconnor]

PennStater2005---First, good school choice. Now, I have a northern mix that I was going kill and reno with 100% KBG from SSS. After seeing wardconnor's post yesterday, I decided to buy 10lb of Pangea GLR to add. We'll see how it goes.

That's my plan as well. Although I'm looking at either 75/25 or 50/50 mix ratio KBG to PRG.

I promise you will be happy with any of those ratios.

 

[Fronta1]

I would go with 100% rye to match the other half of your yard. Usually anytime you do a partial reno where the portion isn't separated somehow you want to go with the same thing so you don't end up with a line through your yard. I could be wrong but I would consider that.