I'd scalp it, maybe even look at doing anything like aeration or verticutting, and I would put it into regulation right before I left. Give it some water, and call it done for 3 weeks.

Regardless it'll be a bunch of work when you return, but scalping it now and slowing it down could ensure you less work down the road, and regardless of how ugly it is, you won't be around to see it.

 

scalp the hell out of it! Way low! and the hit it again at scalp height the day you leave. PGR and fungicide the day you leave. I'd go higher on the PGR. Verticutting isn't a bad idea too. Make it look real ugly.
3 weeks is a long time. I'd keep the water on it.
I don't think hiring a company to mow would be of any benefit.
I am curios to see how it turns out.

 

Thanks @FATC1TY & @rjw0283!

I didn't think of verticutting but I have a new Sunjoe so that's good!

I need to also keep an eye on the weather forecast to make sure we dont get a bunch of rain that prevents me from mowing or applying PGR effectively! It's gonna be fun :roll:

 

Have you asked someone in the local Georgia section of the forums to see if another member would be able to help?

I looked quickly in your area seems to have a lot of fellow lawn geeks

I am leaving for a week and did a core aeration, verticut and then a .10 scalp. Current HOC is now .3

 

Would be a cool benefit to find someone local to cut it, but honestly would be a pretty trusting thing, especially to use your mowers and stuff.

Regardless I'm with @rjw0283 i would be all in on a hard reset scalp, and then find something time permitting like a verticut or a level to throw in before hand.

3 weeks is a long time, especially not being cut. Take it to dirt and regulated it and I have a feeling if you could manage the watering correctly, or be blessed with some good rain, when you came home it would be unkempt a touch but a solid mow and the yard would be probably the best you've seen it.

 

• Water: I have irrigation but this season we've been getting good rain and I've only had to water my lawn once every ~2 weeks or so. What do you recommend? Should I set it to water 0.5 inch once a week just in case there's a draught so that'll at least keep my lawn from serious stress?

May want to switch your irrigation controller to a smart one like the Rachio that adjust for the weather and can be controlled remotely.

 

Thanks everyone I appreciate the feedback. In the end it's just grass right, and not any grass, bermuda grass... If the worst case scenario is it'll be overgrown and I have to get it back in shape over 2 weeks or so then I'm good with that. Just don't want any kind of disease, stress, or insect damage...

It's hard to ask someone I don't know to come and reel mow for me. Let alone giving them access to my garage & tools etc. even if they're a fellow lawn geek!

@Automate a smart irrigation controller is actually a great idea. It was on my list last year but I managed well with my standard system so I didn't go for it. I'll see if I order one tomorrow :thumbup:

 

There are companies in Atlanta that have trucuts

 

@jayhawk do you have a contact? Or do you have an idea how much they would charge for a 5k lawn? I'm thinking it'll be a ridiculous price that I'm not willing to pay specially if I asked them to come like 4-5 times :lol:

By the way my Rachio 3 arrives tonight so it'll be in place before I go :thumbup:

 

By the way my Rachio 3 arrives tonight so it'll be in place before I go :thumbup:

:thumbup:

 

Assuming you're using T-Nex for suppression, as I don't remember seeing it. Check the label as they have a section in there that states something along the lines of "for longer suppression a double recommended dose can be used if temporary yellowing can be tolerated."

Check the label for the exact wording. I would think hitting it with a double your standard dose would help slow it down more on the front end and last a little bit longer.

Just another something to look into.

 

I would give it a one-two punch before leaving.

Heavier than normal dose of T-Nex 150%-200% - If you have a little bit of Nutsedge or Kyllinga, maybe a 'lil sulfentrazone in the tank. I'd back off the T-nex then if mixing. 100-120% of normal. It'll pretty much shut down the Bermuda for 10-14 days.

I'd prob consider scalping it down hard 3-4 days after the spray. A verticut to stand up all the stolons and peel it down to .250"-.375". It'll look like hell after but not when you return. A light fert application prob would help apologize for the abuse. :lol: Send the reel mower off for a fresh grind after.

 

Yeah, .125oz/1000sf of Dismiss with .38oz/1000sf of T-Nex will put the brakes on hard with 419. It will recover just fine though. If you really want to abuse it, throw in some surfactant. See page 10 of my journal to see what that will do.

 

Thanks @Amoo316 @MasterMech @Redtwin - yes I'm using TNEX and definitely plan to do the heavy rate. For Tifway 419 the standard rate is 0.38 oz/k but I've been applying 0.25 to 0.30 which probably explains why my suppression isn't as strong as I would typically like. I would've thought 0.50 oz/k would be considered heavy but it looks like I can go closer to 0.75 oz/k and not worry about damage?

I honestly prefer not to spray weed killers all over the lawn as it's pretty much weed free except for a handful of nutsedge that I spot-treated over the weekend, and the occasional one or two spruge that I pick up along edges.

I plan to scalp and verticut, but the lowest I can scalp is about 3/8" as my lawn isn't that level and my bedknife hits dirt in some areas even at 3/8". I'm pretty sure I should scalp then verticut but not sure whether the final PGR over-dose app should go on before or after that?



Edit: I also meant to post this which is what @Amoo316 was talking about: "A maximum of twice the recommended Quali-Pro® T-Nex® rate from the Application Rate Table may be applied in order to ensure extended
growth suppression of up to 8 weeks and when temporary discoloration can be tolerated" -- of course the 8 weeks reference probably means 3-4 weeks in my case & at this time of the year because the standard rate on the TNEX label says 4 weeks but it lasts about 2 weeks based on GDD.

 

I'm using the .38oz rate even though I am cutting well below .5". I get much better regulation and if I apply the T-Nex by itself it doesn't cause any bronzing.

 

I'm using the .38oz rate even though I am cutting well below .5". I get much better regulation and if I apply the T-Nex by itself it doesn't cause any bronzing.

Same here - been rocking the .38 since last year and no ill effects.

 

@jayhawk do you have a contact? Or do you have an idea how much they would charge for a 5k lawn? I'm thinking it'll be a ridiculous price that I'm not willing to pay specially if I asked them to come like 4-5 times :lol:

By the way my Rachio 3 arrives tonight so it'll be in place before I go :thumbup:

I know Woodburn Landscapes has a Tru Cut. I have no idea what they charge though.

www.woodburnlandscapes.com

 

@jayhawk do you have a contact? Or do you have an idea how much they would charge for a 5k lawn? I'm thinking it'll be a ridiculous price that I'm not willing to pay specially if I asked them to come like 4-5 times :lol:

By the way my Rachio 3 arrives tonight so it'll be in place before I go :thumbup:

I know Woodburn Landscapes has a Tru Cut. I have no idea what they charge though.

www.woodburnlandscapes.com

Thanks! I called and left a message so I'll update if I hear back.

 

I take extended vacations and always hire someone to mow however; it never works out--"I could only mow once etc". I would follow the advice of scalping and high PGR. I regret not scalping before leaving. Next year I will.

 

Thanks @latitude36

My current plan is to:
- scalp 6 days before leaving
- verticut 4-5 days before leaving
- apply max rate PGR 2 days before leaving
- scalp again 1 day before leaving

I'm worried about 2 things though:
1) will PGR be an effective foliar app 3-4 days after scalping? Considering the green tips will be mostly gone...
2) rain may impact my plan

 

I would apply max rate, and scalp a day after. It'll be plenty of time for uptake, and you know you don't get instant suppression until 3 or so days generally after application.

 

I would apply max rate, and scalp a day after. It'll be plenty of time for uptake, and you know you don't get instant suppression until 3 or so days generally after application.

@FATC1TY I didn't want to leave the scalp for the last minute (what if it rains?) so I was thinking I can scalp once then wait few days, apply PGR, then 1 day later scalp again. At least the final scalp won't be as difficult or take as long, specially if I'm in a time crunch before I leave or have a short window before afternoon thunderstorms!

Would PGR applied 3-4 days after scalping be effective?

 

@Awar Have you given any thought to adding a 2nd PGR into your mix? I've yet to attempt it but from the sounds of it some combos can really put the brakes on things. If it works that may solve 2 problems for you, going forward.
SiteOne in Atlanta (spaghetti junction) has Anuew for a good price. G-man also threw out Paclo as a Tnex combo for my TTTF. I may add one of those to my arsenal next year, just for kicks.

Worse case I can swing by and throw down another Tnex app in 10-15 days or so, but my projects don't usually lead me up your way. I'd make the trip up if you need me to though. LMK.

 

@corneliani I did not consider a 2nd PGR type to be honest. I also really appreciate your kind offer to swing by and apply PGR! That's so nice of you :thumbup:

I think I'll just take ownership of the issue and handle it with the resources I have and it'll be an interesting experiment. I promise to come back and post my experience & results!

 

If I was in your area I'd definitely mow a few times for ya, beautiful lawn, I'd have fun lol