Back yard 2019 vs 2023:

 

This is the current state of my front yard, including the sand leveling process. This was 2 yards of sand. I probably should have gotten more, but this will do for now.

I probably should do this in mid-late May or early June, but it gets so hot so fast, I'd rather just do it now.

Sand leveling dates:
4/15/24 - 4/16/24

4/20/24 - 5 days later

4/21/2024 - 6 days later

 

Took this picture today, 4/26/2024, during a morning walk.

Mowed yesterday. Fertilized. Watered early this morning. Looking really solid. Turf should grow through remaining sand within another week or so.

 

Looking good on 5/1 on my morning walk.

Mowed yesterday. I'd like to take it down even lower, but I wanted to give the lawn a chance to grow through the sand a bit.

 

We might have a problem....

Looks like a Spectrum truck came by overnight between 1-2AM and installed an orange cable between my yard and my neighbor's. I am guessing they will be ripping up my yard soon and tearing through my irrigation system. Sigh.

 

Great looking turf. The Spectrum guys will screw it up but just take it as another challenge. You’ll work thru it.

 

4/26/24 - Fertilizer
5/02/24 - First PGR app of year
5/16/24 - Collected and sent soil test
5/16/24 - Liquid iron application

After the PGR application, I was out of town for 1 week and unable to mow. The lawn was lush and green when I returned. However, after mowing I noticed some bronzing develop from the PGR. I had this issue last year, but never really found a great solution for it. I did some research and decided to buy some liquid iron, and applied it on 5/17. Hoping this helps the color return. I also just sent a soil test and I'm awaiting the results.

It's so difficult mowing this slope without uneven stripes... yes, I do double cut every row.

Spectrum still hasn't come to bury their line... dreading that day. Father in law provided some flags to mark the sprinkler heads, which was nice.

Picture from 5/12 after first mow in 7 days. Looks great!

Picture from 5/15. PGR bronzing? Looks so ugly.

Morning after liquid iron and irrigation - 5/17:

 

[QUOTE="chisemcj822]
Hey I'm CJ with Tru green we can definitely help you with your yard just give me a call at 205 400 4817 we have discounts for every customer and can give you a quote over the phone and we are very flexible and can get you a great price.
[/QUOTE]

I quoted this because it is hilarious for TruGreen to try to sell their services to this awesome lawn. I'm going to spam list it, so it deletes the post.

 

I was lucky enough to catch the 811 crew as they were marking the underground utilities in my yard preparing to bury the Spectrum line. I politely requested contact information, and he provided contacts for the contractor who would be installing the new conduit and line for Spectrum. The company was very responsive and even agreed to delay the install a week because I was out of town. They communicated what day they would be here and I met them in the yard to point out my irrigation and fiber line. Yes, my yard is torn up, but it's really not that bad. I was impressed with this crew. They did a pretty decent job cutting out the sod to make the repair process a little easier for me. After they had finished for the day, the field manager even knocked on my door and asked if I was satisfied with the work when they were done.

See the before and after pictures below. After I get over COVID, I'll get in the yard and work on the repair.


Before

After

 

Applied PGR, Urea, Iron, and 3336F fungicide on 7/3. I got some tip burn. I am still trying to dial in my backpack sprayer applications. It ticked me off, so I scaled my lawn. Spectrum wounds are healing nicely. My neighbors think I am absolutely insane.

7/8

7/15 (7 days later)

Zoysia in back is loving life.

 

I gotta tell you man, whenever I get annoyed at the hills I mow on my lawn and then I see yours, I feel sheepish lol. It's tough to mow at an angle like that and make it look that nice.

 

It's impossible to not have the uneven lines as well. The only way to reduce it is to do a double cut at another angle.

 

Really appreciate the replies! You are both right; it's extremely difficult get an even cut when mowing on a hill. Sometimes I wish I had something different than a Tru Cut, but I'm not totally sure it would matter.

 

Keep it up man, the lawn looks great.

 

The Zoysia looks like it's begging for double wide stripes.

 

Thanks all.

Tru Cut is in the shop getting sharpened, and taking longer than I thought it would. Had to cut with my rotary today... lowest it would go.

 

I gotta admit, the higher cut with the rotary does look quite nice... Tru Cut still in the shop.

 

My neighbors yard right now is filled with armyworms... really hoping my GrubEx treatment holds. I may apply another round soon. His yard is INFESTED.

 

After 2.5 weeks in the shop, I finally have my reel mower back. They said I needed a bed knife, so I bought and replaced that, too. $350 later, I drive home and crank it up ready to throw some stripes down!

... only to find that the reel is so tight against the bed knife, the engine can't even spin the reel. Seriously?! Ok, no big deal... I go to adjust it myself... and realize that one of my zerk fittings is missing on the reel.... 😠So now I'm got to order a replacement zerk. Ordered a replacement, but not gonna mow until that comes... sigh. Lesson I have learned is do this maintenance in the off season. And also you can't trust anyone to do a good job these days. I want to call to the shop, but it's not like they are going to do anything.

 

That's why I try to do it all myself. If I screw it up, I'm no worse off. Grinding is something you need the machine for though but I went out and bought a used one split with a buddy of mine.

 

I have an Express Dual 2000 for the reels and an Angle Master 2000 for the bedknives.

 

Wow, those are nice machines! Not sure what you paid, but I'd be better off just replacing my reel every year! Maybe someday.

 

I'm still learning to use them but they were quite the find.

 

A journal covers the good, bad, and ugly. Just returned home after 2 weeks and the lawn is pretty rough shape.

Lots of spurge and weeds. The actual grass is thick, healthy, and LONG.

I have a couple of spots with this stuff. What the heck is it? I am reading it might be "carpet grass" which is a new one for me. Let me know if you can help ID, and provide feedback for products to control. Worst case I can spot spray with glyphosate.

 

I see chamber bitter too. I hate that one, but it's easy to pull.
Are you using PGR?

 

That second photo is doveweed.

 

Thanks. Recommendations for post-emergence control?

 

It's a tough one but I've used the high rate of Celcius with success. I'm now to the point where I will pull any as soon as I see it. I think some have used MSM with Sulfentrazone (homemade Blindside) to smoke it fast but you have to be really careful with the rates and watch your temperatures.

 

Looks better after mowing from a distance. I have some work to do, though. Hard to avoid the hard lines when the grass gets this thick on a big hill and not mowing for 2+ weeks.