[MikeDPA]

Hello all.
I just bout a new construction house in Pennsylvania that was built on a previous 2.5 acre field they mowed for hay. ( Its mowed as a yard for 6 months now) I applied Weedar 64 (24d) too my lawn but its filled with ALOT of foxtail , clover, nutsedge , bullthistle , and some crabgrass. I have noticed the 24d only worked slightly on the bullthistle. I am looking for a product to knock down all the weeds, What do you suggest?

I found a product called Q4 plus, and seems like it may be a good option but its super expensive and wanted to get some opinions. After I get the weeds dieing I am going to aerate like crazy, apply 1.2 tons of lime, 240 lbs of 10-20-20 fert, and overseed.

How does my plan sound? please feel free to give me your opinion!

 

[g-man]

Welcome.

I have to ask to make sure I provide good info. What are your goals with the 2.5 acres? Weekly mow and augusta national look? Or monthly mow?

For those weeds you should use "brush killer" triclopyr. Tractor supply or a similar store should have it in acre sizes.

Do you have a soil test for this area? It will ensure that lime is needed and how much phosphorus.

Lastly, do you have means to water these area to grow the seeds and keep alive during the summer heat?

 

[MikeDPA]

Hello and thank you for the reply, I am looking for perfectly manicured lawn on all the the 2.5 acres, with nice stripes from my 61" scag. My old property I was having to mow every 3 days from the lime and fert.

I do not have a soil sample, I have a kit to test it but its never had anything applied to it and it was just vacant ground a local farmer cut every so often for the hay. Yes I will be moving sprinklers around to water until I can get my irrigation system installed.

I am always looking for the best yard in the area so agusta national would be a good start

 

[Fronta1]

First decide if you want to work with what you got or start over. If you want to work with what you got, the process is gonna be cutting it low, dethatching, and overseeding with tall fescue. If you want to start over you would kill everything, dethatch, and seed with either tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, or both. You could do that this year but you would really be up against it. Might wanna wait til next year and just work on the weeds and any amendments. Have you had your soil tested? You wouldn't want to lime until you know what your ph is.

 

[Fronta1]

You could also take the time this year to work on your irrigation installation.

 

[g-man]

Hello and thank you for the reply, I am looking for perfectly manicured lawn on all the the 2.5 acres, with nice stripes from my 61" scag. My old property I was having to mow every 3 days from the lime and fert.

I do not have a soil sample, I have a kit to test it but its never had anything applied to it and it was just vacant ground a local farmer cut every so often for the hay. Yes I will be moving sprinklers around to water until I can get my irrigation system installed.

I am always looking for the best yard in the area so agusta national would be a good start

Ok, 2.5 acres (~ 2.3 football fields) of a beautiful lawn. I think you should look for a co-op near you or find where the local golf course buys. You will find fertilizers at a lower price there.

I suggest you do a soil test. This is close by and it is only $9 per sample. http://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/soil-fertility-testing
Logan labs is another option but it is $25. I think the first time do multiple areas just to be sure it is even results. The test is really important to know what is needed and what you might have too much. Adding lime without a test could push your pH in a bad direction. You also don't know what the previous farmer did apply (if anything).

I really hope you have a well. City water for 2.5 acres will be really expensive. How the farmer water the hay? Reel sprinkler like those used in football fields and cemeteries might be a good option.

I also suggest you look at this thread from pete1313. He does a great job with his property (~3/4 acre of lawn reel mowed) and his thread is like a how to instructions for lawn care.

 

[ABC123]

I do 3.5 that was a field. Just mow it all the way up and throw some light urea apps at it and it should be a decent lawn by spring. That's what I did and it worked well.