PGR, no question.

 

What affects were most pronounced?

 

Not necessarily a product but a grass seed change. KBG renovation was the game changer for me.

 

Water

 

Bunch of things…

Sprinkler system, soil testing (don’t do it much anymore though), and PGR.

Also Tenacity. And even Sulfentrazone.

Hydretain has been really helpful too.

TTTF seed, too.

Groundskeeper II rake.

Nut gatherer. Garden weasel.

Peat moss.

Natural based fertilizers.

Pre-emergent.

Rain gauge.

Sprayer.

Mosquito dunks.

I wouldn’t be able to function without these items/products.

 

What product changed your lawn game? …

What affects were most pronounced?

Healthier looking turf during times of stress (heat, drought). The look of turf under regulation is something I can't quite explain, the color is so much darker, the stand is more dense looking.
Another perk for me is it seems I am able to stretch out my preventitive fungicide applications, almost to the point of using the lowest label rate at the highest application interval. (Very helpful for expensive fungicides such as Xzemplar and Mefenoxam)
As one brother Ward once said, it truly is a wonder drug for turf

I gotta echo @sabochris … on all counts (and add it’s going on a month since I’ve had to mow - which has meant zero interruptions hosting 3 different groups of week-long lakehouse visitors!

 

A good soil test from the local university.
PGR.
Root stimulants (specifically CytoGro).

 

Beer. I am glad my tractor has a cup holder.

 

Beer is especially helpful with the most important lawn skill of all, managing expectations!

 

KBG and proper lawn maintenance were the biggest game changers for me.

From a pure product perspective the biggest game changer was using organic fertilizers like Milorganite and NJ’s version called OceanGro.

 

Getting a good mulching mower many many moons ago, Grubx, Organic fertilizer in Summer, Lime every Spring...
My basics....

 

Quinclorac- lots and LOTS of crabgrass around here. Neighbors don't do anything about theirs. I've done a pretty good job of keeping it in check. That stuff works, and fast.

 

What brand are you using? I got some Spectricide Weed Stop from Lowes when it was $5 and it is hit and miss! Seems to work good one time and the next time its iffy.

 

Teaching my wife to mow.

 

 

View attachment 72223 got it from Amazon

 

Water , Lime
Once I understood how much water and when. Then getting my PH in check .
After that planting better suited grasses for my area.

 

Water , Lime
Once I understood how much water and when. Then getting my PH in check .
After that planting better suited grasses for my area.

Water , Lime
Once I understood how much water and when. Then getting my PH in check .
After that planting better suited grasses for my area.

What brand are you using? I got some Spectricide Weed Stop from Lowes when it was $5 and it is hit and miss! Seems to work good one time and the next time its iffy.

It only works when crabgrass is young very early stage . Spray before six leaf stage (two tillers)or before it's 3 inches tall . This is usually the first time you see it in your lawn. Spray then 14 days later spray again if you have a dense populatio.

 

Watering - Water/Pressure regulator and water rate metering, irrigation timing/timers.
Reel mowing - guaranteed better turf health over local mass mowing services (due to their dull blades, spreading weed seed, disease, etc).
Pylex - Bermudagrass Removal
PGR - Because I don't want to mow as much while increasing the general quality.
Crew PreM - Easy granular Pre-M that was effective and could be used edge to edge.
Group 7/11 Intrisic Fungicide - For certain areas that require "guaranteed" very high quality turf; usually during the holiday cycle (Memorial Day, US Independence Day, Labor Day)
Leaf Compost - covering new seed with this was a considerable increase in germination and survival.
Larger electric sprayer and TeeJet nozzles - easier spraying with constant 30 psi pressure and even coverage. (Sprayers Plus)
4-way weed killers - Spectricide/RoundUp for Lawns 3/Q4 Plus, 4-Speed XT, etc. Great for clearing out such a wide range of weeds in 2 passes with 1 product.
Beetles/Grubs - Accelpryn - It just works to prevent these pests.

 

Proper irrigation and fungicide rotation. It's been a few years since I have had a major fungus issue.