I've scalped to 1 1/4" with the Timemaster and blanket sprayed glyphosate a couple of times. I raked yesterday preparing for another gly app so I can put seed down Saturday, but this storm that's brewing may push back my seed down date. I wish i could get away with just putting the seed down without a covering but I guess I shouldn't risk it. Spreading compost is hard work!

 

Tell me about your timemaster. I'm looking to get a used one mostly for the 30" inch width cut. I'm not afraid to tip it over and replace a pulley or transmission, even if it's every 18 months. But I'm curious about your experience or anything else to look out for?

 

You’ve got another 3/4”+ to go before you’re scalping. For spreading peat moss/compost, assuming there isn’t a top dresser for rent near by, rent the peat moss roller from Home Depot/Lowes. $25/day is well worth it.

 

@JML I'll look into that now because spreading by hand just isn't going to cut it unless I have no choice!

 

The possibility of Francine dumping a lot of rain next week has me thinking about pushing my seed down date further out. Seed is too expensive and prepping the lawn too labor intensive for me not to be patient. But, we shall see!

 

A slit seeder rental from Home Depot would work.

 

@secured2k Thanks, great idea! I'll check with them in the morning. I don't know anything about them, but theirs say "overseeder" which I'm guessing is the same as a slit seeder.

 

The overseeder will work. I just had one used at a site last week. The front is a plain drop seeder and as you push the overseeder forward, the tines/blades cut grooves and can push some seeds into those grooves. With slits in the dirt, it is likely with some water, the seeds will get incorporated in the dirt as the grooves fill in themselves.

It is recommended to dethatch first. The exact same machine can dethatch, but the tines are switched out for flexible rakes instead. Home Depot calls this a power rake.

 

I dethatched all day Wednesday using a "Human" power rake and I never want to do that again! In researching it seems guys get the best results broadcast spreading seed and going over it with the overseeder which I will go with unless you see a problem with that method.

 

Got the seed down today! @secured2k the overseeder was a game changer for sure, thanks! I broadcast the seeds and ran over the lawn 2 ways to make sure I didn't miss anything.
After Midnight KBG at 3lbsK
Glysophate,Meso, Azoxistrobin, Propiconazole and bifenthrin.

 

Good job 👍 I'm sure you slept well last night now the anxiety starts this morning. Be patient and just keep it moist.

 

@M32075 So true. I got up this morning and watered at 8am and was wondering what I did or didn't do that could ruin all this hard work! smh

 

I'm here stressing over the forecast. It doesn't matter that there's nothing I can do about it. I worry anyway.

 

@PlanetBeen I feel ya! I'm sitting here now watching the weather patterns for next week. I've been following your reno for updates. Were you able to get your seed down Saturday?

 

Things should be fine. Just as long as seeds weren't hurried too deep. A good watering should cause some of the grooves to collapse thus keeping the seeds in place barring any major errosion from flooding water.

PlanetBeen, if we are expecting rains and you didn't use anything to rough up the soil, it can help to rake the seeds in or press them in with a roller or similar tool. For small areas people may use their feet/shoes on the soil to compact the seeds into the soil. On another note, I also handle technology issues if you want to have a side conversation about that.

 

Things should be fine. Just as long as seeds weren't hurried too deep. A good watering should cause some of the grooves to collapse thus keeping the seeds in place barring any major errosion from flooding water.

PlanetBeen, if we are expecting rains and you didn't use anything to rough up the soil, it can help to rake the seeds in or press them in with a roller or similar tool. For small areas people may use their feet/shoes on the soil to compact the seeds into the soil. On another note, I also handle technology issues if you want to have a side conversation about that.

My soil was already a little loose from hand raking the entire section on Tuesday but I also used the SunJoe with the scarifier attachment before seed down. I did many passes so the seed was already "mashed" in just from walking over it. Then I used a HD rental roller over the whole thing. It's definitely "attached" to the ground but shouldn't be buried since I didn't dig anything that deep.

As far as technology, hah. It's just an overload. I have too many toys. The issue is the stupid pop up ads when I'm using my phones. They always shift over the keyboard and I'll end up tapping the stupid ad. It's just a nuisance. My Fold 6 was allowing me to drag the photos the same as I can on the computer. Probably because it tends to get the tablet version of stuff. I take my pictures with my "yard phone" which is my husband's old S21 Ultra. So usually I'll just upload the pictures with that one, then edit on the other. A few days ago it stopped letting me move the pictures with the Fold so if I want to upload a bunch (which never end up in the same order) it's better to just upload them with the S21, then open the post on the computer and edit it. I haven't played around with it to see if I can figure out what changed to mess up the Fold's options and I've just been lazy about sitting at the computer. The Fold is more convenient. It sure is easier and faster to type on a physical keyboard though!

I'm going to update my renovation thread now.

 

I got hammered with a 1 inch thunderstorm 3 days after seed down on a renovation then a 2 inch thunderstorm next evening. Reno came out just fine just check your gutter downspouts I had one going into a flower bed that the water ended up on the lawn a bit of a washout. I redirected the gutter temporarily .

 

@M32075 Good catch. I have two running to the driveway another going into a mulch bed and the one that catches the most rain running to 4 IBC totes. I better doublecheck that everything is as it should be, thanks.

 

Well..the Cool Season guide said it best, "High risk, high reward"! 4.07 inches of rain in a day. I may have a little washout along street, but the build-up in the lawn seems to be mostly debris that I missed when bagging clippings before seed down.

 

7 DAS. Less than 5% of the lawn is like this. I may have a successful reno yet, maybe!

 

Subscribed!

 

All this rain from two hurricanes in less than two weeks is really putting a hitch in my get-along! I may have to order more seed unfortunately.

 

A little over two weeks since DAS,two floods and After Midnight seems to be filling in. The Cool Season guide said to wait 21 days after germination but I may do it sooner.

 

It's looking like progress. I'm in VA, and our soil temperatures are still over 70 degrees despite the rain and cloudy days. This could slow down some germination or initial [root] growth.

 

@secured2k My soil temps are over 70 also. I may wait until next week before I put down more seed.

 

A little less than 2 weeks since the first signs of germination and this definitely is an exercise in patience. Seedlings are beginning to break through most of the bare soil and dead brown stalks. I think I will do what the renovation guide says and wait until the 3rd week before putting down, if any seed. I'll put my first fertilizer application down today.

Hurry up and wait!

 

A clarification about the higher soil temperature: seeds will germinate at higher temperatures as long as they have adequate water. This is harder in high temperatures but still possible. Since temperatures are trending down, you don’t need to wait to put down seed, but remember that after germination, root growth (which affects the ability to get more water/nutrients in the soil) will be slowed for cool season grasses. This is probably what you are seeing - slower initial growth.

 

@secured2k Thanks for the info. My 5 day soil temp has been 74.6 degrees with air temps for the next 3 days in the mid 80s before it drops off to the mid to upper 70s next week. I'll get out there now and hit those spots. Thanks!

 

Week 3 since DAG and I can see progress. Most if not all spots are filling in and the brown is mostly dead stalks that I missed during the reno. I have one fertilizer app under my belt with the next due this coming weekend. All things considered, I'm good with it.

 

It's looking really good!

 

@PlanetBeen Thanks. I'm glad i took @secured2k advice and spot seeded last weekend because the temps are definitely cooler. I was thinking of getting a cheap reel push mower for my first cut which looks to be 3 or 4 weeks away, but there's no way I want to cut that much grass like that! I will use my Timemaster 30in. and just roll with it!

 

In the middle of my first cut set a 1". Reel mowing is very addictive!

 

It's good to see it is coming along nicely. However, you may not want to cut new grass that low. Daytime sunlight hours are getting shorter, and you want more green leaf material for photosynthesis and energy for rooting. You do not want to let it grow too long, as new tips encourage vertical growth. A good middle ground is to cut at 3 inches down to 2 inches (1/3 rule), promoting more tillering (horizontal reach) while having more leaf material. Most new lawns are not fully mature until at least six months or two significant growing seasons (fall and spring).

 

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