[Stegs]

In Muskegon, MI here. Just moved into new house in a subdivision. Previous owner must have stopped watering while moving out because almost the entire front lawn went totally dormant. Spent the last month just watering like crazy. Its finally starting to green up a bit but still looks quite patchy in the front yard. Backyard is very well shaded and the lawn looks pretty damn good back there. Wondering what the best course of action is to take for the front lawn at this point now that cooler temps are coming in...I laid down some 22-0-10 a few weeks ago with heavy watering. Just want to plan for winter/next Sring as far as dethatching/overseeding. Any advice?

awesome. Im just south of you towards grand haven/holland

What i would do, go find some milorganite. Its a goof proof fert. Works good when the temps are up. not overwhelming with nitrogen, so no worry about burning.

Id throw that down asap, keep up on the watering and mowing. This cooler weather will bring it back, especially with food/water.

Good to see another west michigan member here! Stay in touch, let me know how it bounces back. There may be a overseed in the future, but lets give it time and see what comes back!

 

[Stegs]

New member (15 minutes ago).

I don't know if I have PRG or TTTF. I've looked at pictures and can't distinguish.

Planning an overseed for mid-late August. With not knowing exactly what I have, any recommendations for type of seed? Pros/Cons?

(edit) And I'll also add that a friend gave me a 7lb bag of Scotts KBG. Not sure if I can mix that with whatever I put down. Probably not a good idea, right?

I'm just north of Detroit.

- Shelby

pretty easy to tell between the 2

Tttf will be a bit of a wider blade. If you pick a blade of grass and run your fingers down the side, you will feel serrations on the side of the leaf blade

With prg, its a very fine, very thin blade. Very smooth, almost shiny on 1 side.

Both grow in clumps, (bunch type grass)

For overseeding, consider if you want a low maintenance (not alot of water, fertilizer mowing) or if it is a high maintenance lawn where you will be out there daily

Low maintenance id go with a tttf and KBG mix. I personally used united seed super turf II. This will be good for me as im in sand and have a hard time holding water, so i need tttf for the better root system.

If you spend alot of time in the lawn, id go bluegrass with a small amount of prg. it will require more water, more fert and just more attention, but it will look awesome!

I love bluegrass, but the more i learn about these new cultivars of tttf......and how much they look like bluegrass in a well established lawn........its hard to beat .

United seed - super turf II - This is some high rated seed and really good price.

 

[Stegs]

My overseed went well. Put seed in the ground the 31st of july. Today is August 4 and i have seedlings showing. Not many but they are popping up.

I have 4 day germination in a flower pot as a test, but in the lawn it seems to be doing just as well.

I used a billy goat overseeder and beat the crap out of my lawn (after i mowed it at 2")

I put down seed, then milo (3 bags covering just over 6000 square feet) and then sprayed the lawn with a fungicide and some RGS.

Its stinks terrible, but it seems to be working

Im on a dune, so im irrigation 15 min per zone, 4 times a day. Starting at 6am and spaced out in 3 hour intervals

That's awesome! Even though we are technically a little early, I think we will be fine. Especially if you have irrigation. I am 10-12 days into my overseed, things are progressing nicely. I am not overwhelmed with the cool blue yet. It's coming along ok, but no better than the HD Vigoro RTF I used this spring. I dunno, I am not sold on it yet, but I am not even a month in. I ended up grabbing 10 lbs of PR last Thursday to fill in some spots. Gosh I love PR, it comes up in 4 days. The jury is still out on the cool blue for me, but it's early.

I know im a little early, but last year i renovated my back yard with 100% bluegrass.....I did it around the 20th of september and the weather didnt behave for me. We got rain and most of my lawn washed away. The bluegrass that stayed didnt "mature" enough before it got cooler and it just never took off

This year, i may be a little early than "normal", but id be early than late....especially when germination is key

 

[BrainBailey]

In Muskegon, MI here. Just moved into new house in a subdivision. Previous owner must have stopped watering while moving out because almost the entire front lawn went totally dormant. Spent the last month just watering like crazy. Its finally starting to green up a bit but still looks quite patchy in the front yard. Backyard is very well shaded and the lawn looks pretty damn good back there. Wondering what the best course of action is to take for the front lawn at this point now that cooler temps are coming in...I laid down some 22-0-10 a few weeks ago with heavy watering. Just want to plan for winter/next Sring as far as dethatching/overseeding. Any advice?

I'm in the GR area and just joined the boards myself. I would also recommend getting a soil test from the MSU extension office. They're $25 with postage. That will help you start to improve any soil deficiencies.

 

[SapperG]

In Muskegon, MI here. Just moved into new house in a subdivision. Previous owner must have stopped watering while moving out because almost the entire front lawn went totally dormant. Spent the last month just watering like crazy. Its finally starting to green up a bit but still looks quite patchy in the front yard. Backyard is very well shaded and the lawn looks pretty damn good back there. Wondering what the best course of action is to take for the front lawn at this point now that cooler temps are coming in...I laid down some 22-0-10 a few weeks ago with heavy watering. Just want to plan for winter/next Sring as far as dethatching/overseeding. Any advice?

I'm in the GR area and just joined the boards myself. I would also recommend getting a soil test from the MSU extension office. They're $25 with postage. That will help you start to improve any soil deficiencies.

Hey thanks for the response. I ordered the soil test from MSU a few days ago so waiting for that for sure. Was a little concerned with throwing down any more fert or anything else without that test done.

 

[SapperG]

In Muskegon, MI here. Just moved into new house in a subdivision. Previous owner must have stopped watering while moving out because almost the entire front lawn went totally dormant. Spent the last month just watering like crazy. Its finally starting to green up a bit but still looks quite patchy in the front yard. Backyard is very well shaded and the lawn looks pretty damn good back there. Wondering what the best course of action is to take for the front lawn at this point now that cooler temps are coming in...I laid down some 22-0-10 a few weeks ago with heavy watering. Just want to plan for winter/next Sring as far as dethatching/overseeding. Any advice?

awesome. Im just south of you towards grand haven/holland

What i would do, go find some milorganite. Its a goof proof fert. Works good when the temps are up. not overwhelming with nitrogen, so no worry about burning.

Id throw that down asap, keep up on the watering and mowing. This cooler weather will bring it back, especially with food/water.

Good to see another west michigan member here! Stay in touch, let me know how it bounces back. There may be a overseed in the future, but lets give it time and see what comes back!

Hey thanks for the response! I ordered a soil test from MSU to try to get a better handle on things without so much guess work. So waiting for that to come in. Figured i was on right track with the front yard starting to green up a bit. I wasnt sure if throwing down any Milorganite would help bring the front out of dormancy or just make what I have already darker green, I guess I'm ok with either working. I just am scared to scorch it any further than the sun already did the last few months. Thanks for your response again and I'll be sure to update!

 

[shelby48085]

I love bluegrass, but the more i learn about these new cultivars of tttf......and how much they look like bluegrass in a well established lawn........its hard to beat .

United seed - super turf II - This is some high rated seed and really good price.

United seed Super Turf II it is. THANK YOU

And I like maintenance on the lawn. This was my first year of doing the lawn. I like it more than my flower beds. I cut it 3 times a week at least.

 

[BrainBailey]

In Muskegon, MI here. Just moved into new house in a subdivision. Previous owner must have stopped watering while moving out because almost the entire front lawn went totally dormant. Spent the last month just watering like crazy. Its finally starting to green up a bit but still looks quite patchy in the front yard. Backyard is very well shaded and the lawn looks pretty damn good back there. Wondering what the best course of action is to take for the front lawn at this point now that cooler temps are coming in...I laid down some 22-0-10 a few weeks ago with heavy watering. Just want to plan for winter/next Sring as far as dethatching/overseeding. Any advice?

awesome. Im just south of you towards grand haven/holland

What i would do, go find some milorganite. Its a goof proof fert. Works good when the temps are up. not overwhelming with nitrogen, so no worry about burning.

Id throw that down asap, keep up on the watering and mowing. This cooler weather will bring it back, especially with food/water.

Good to see another west michigan member here! Stay in touch, let me know how it bounces back. There may be a overseed in the future, but lets give it time and see what comes back!

Hey thanks for the response! I ordered a soil test from MSU to try to get a better handle on things without so much guess work. So waiting for that to come in. Figured i was on right track with the front yard starting to green up a bit. I wasnt sure if throwing down any Milorganite would help bring the front out of dormancy or just make what I have already darker green, I guess I'm ok with either working. I just am scared to scorch it any further than the sun already did the last few months. Thanks for your response again and I'll be sure to update!

I wouldn't worry about milorganite. As the label says, it's 'burn free'. The slow release keeps you out of trouble, just don't go crazy. You might want to consider some of the other popular conditioners/additives like Humic Acid. We're surrounded by a lot of agriculture on our side of the state, and I've had good look contacting some of the local farm elevators. Additionally, I just discovered De Bruyn seed in Zeeland. They have great prices and almost everything you'll need in one spot, plus they're the only store in West Michigan at which I've found elite quality grass seed. They don't, however, have humic.

 

[Stegs]

awesome. Im just south of you towards grand haven/holland

What i would do, go find some milorganite. Its a goof proof fert. Works good when the temps are up. not overwhelming with nitrogen, so no worry about burning.

Id throw that down asap, keep up on the watering and mowing. This cooler weather will bring it back, especially with food/water.

Good to see another west michigan member here! Stay in touch, let me know how it bounces back. There may be a overseed in the future, but lets give it time and see what comes back!

Hey thanks for the response! I ordered a soil test from MSU to try to get a better handle on things without so much guess work. So waiting for that to come in. Figured i was on right track with the front yard starting to green up a bit. I wasnt sure if throwing down any Milorganite would help bring the front out of dormancy or just make what I have already darker green, I guess I'm ok with either working. I just am scared to scorch it any further than the sun already did the last few months. Thanks for your response again and I'll be sure to update!

I wouldn't worry about milorganite. As the label says, it's 'burn free'. The slow release keeps you out of trouble, just don't go crazy. You might want to consider some of the other popular conditioners/additives like Humic Acid. We're surrounded by a lot of agriculture on our side of the state, and I've had good look contacting some of the local farm elevators. Additionally, I just discovered De Bruyn seed in Zeeland. They have great prices and almost everything you'll need in one spot, plus they're the only store in West Michigan at which I've found elite quality grass seed. They don't, however, have humic.

Thats my guy!!! Ken is the owner of the store. Been going there for years. I do hvac for a living and he has been using our company for years. I am so glad you found him.

He sells Turf merchant seed. I have used in the past with good luck.

FYI (he will sell you a pallet of milorganite with fantastic pricing) Trust me, i have a quote from him for a pallet!!

He is a great guy and a great company. Extremely knowledgeable!!

 

[BrainBailey]

Hey thanks for the response! I ordered a soil test from MSU to try to get a better handle on things without so much guess work. So waiting for that to come in. Figured i was on right track with the front yard starting to green up a bit. I wasnt sure if throwing down any Milorganite would help bring the front out of dormancy or just make what I have already darker green, I guess I'm ok with either working. I just am scared to scorch it any further than the sun already did the last few months. Thanks for your response again and I'll be sure to update!

I wouldn't worry about milorganite. As the label says, it's 'burn free'. The slow release keeps you out of trouble, just don't go crazy. You might want to consider some of the other popular conditioners/additives like Humic Acid. We're surrounded by a lot of agriculture on our side of the state, and I've had good look contacting some of the local farm elevators. Additionally, I just discovered De Bruyn seed in Zeeland. They have great prices and almost everything you'll need in one spot, plus they're the only store in West Michigan at which I've found elite quality grass seed. They don't, however, have humic.

Thats my guy!!! Ken is the owner of the store. Been going there for years. I do hvac for a living and he has been using our company for years. I am so glad you found him.

He sells Turf merchant seed. I have used in the past with good luck.

FYI (he will sell you a pallet of milorganite with fantastic pricing) Trust me, i have a quote from him for a pallet!!

He is a great guy and a great company. Extremely knowledgeable!!

Just grabbed a bag of Turf Merchant True Blue for my power seeding in 3 weeks. Great seed and a great price. What's the scoop on the milo? Their price was already the cheapest I've seen when I was there two days ago.

 

[shelby48085]

I've lowered my height of cut from 3-1/2 to 3 for a week. I'm now at 2-1/2". I've been prepping for dethatch and scarifier next week. Then I'll aerate and overseed with https://unitedseeds.com/product/super-turf-ii-ls/.

Okay, like I said, I am at 2-1/2" and I LOVE the grass this short. Maybe even shorter (2"?). Can I keep TF this short all summer long in Michigan?

 

[synergy0852]

@shelby48085 I've kept mine sub 1" throughout the summer last year. It definitely stresses out at the lower heights but is doable. I think 2" would work if you're irrigated and preventative about fungus.

 

[shelby48085]

I've lowered my height of cut from 3-1/2 to 3 for a week. I'm now at 2-1/2". I've been prepping for dethatch and scarifier next week. Then I'll aerate and overseed with https://unitedseeds.com/product/super-turf-ii-ls/.

Okay, like I said, I am at 2-1/2" and I LOVE the grass this short. Maybe even shorter (2"?). Can I keep TF this short all summer long in Michigan?

I had planned on using the Sunjoe scarifier already and planned on seeding tomorrow, but the high temperatures scared me. So, I am going scarify Sunday. My question for you is should I do a criss cross (N-S, E-W), or is just one-way back and forth (N-S only) sufficient?

Tonight I changed out the dethatcher drum to the scarifier drum in the SunJoe and did a little test run.

The left side is the criss cross, the right side is the one-way only.

Also, do you think it would help if I dropped to 1-1/2" before seeding?

 

[dajoip]

@Stegs @BrainBailey I live 10 min from DeBruyn's and have been going there the last 18 months. I'd heard they're known for their great seed and have bought several bags of their own "Sun & Shade" mix for patching and overseeding - is that the seed you're referring to that's considered elite? Or is Turf Merchant something else they carry that's much better?

+1 on their milo pricing, esp during their 2wk summer sale when they drop it even lower!

 

[BrainBailey]

@dajoip Their Sun and Shade is likely a mix of Turf Merchant products, and potentially another seed brand. If you ask them what seed is in the mix, they will gladly tell you. If you really want, you can probably ask to see the labels on the seed sacks. They brought one out for me before I bought a full sack of True Blue. I would guess that their premium Sun and Shade has a bit of the True Blue in it, plus some Rye and Fescue.

+2 on the milo. Next year I'm borrowing a truck and stocking up during the summer sale.

I'm in GR so I source from DeBruyn, Site One on 40th St, and Sparta Elevator. I wish I could find everything in one place.

 

[dajoip]

@BrainBailey I'm not gonna lie, I wouldn't know what I was looking at if they did show me the label lol. I've just gone on strong recommendations by many people I know that their seed is the "best in town" - and it just so happened that they were right around the corner from me. If I asked, what would I be looking for on the seed label? I just looked at my bag and attached a photo of the seed contents.

I bought 30 bags of milo during their summer sale and sort of sheepishly joked about it as we were loading up. They weren't fazed at all and said many people get a lot more than this! 😁

Have you ever checked out the Hudsonville Co-Op? That's the other place I've been going that has a lot of stuff, and seemingly knowledgeable people working there to help and provide recommendations. What do you get at Sparta Elevator that you can't get elsewhere?

 

[Jeff_MI84]

I live in Livonia (Wayne County) and had slit overseeding done on 9/11. Lesco Tuff-Turf (90/10 of TTTF and KBG). I watered twice a day for 10 minutes, with a few days of spraying with the hose instead. So far I'm seeing moderate growth and don't plan on cutting until the end of this week (day 21-23). I was afraid of starting too late.

 

[Jeff_MI84]

I did a test back in August. I used Scott's KBG, to see if it would germinate (albeit) in a pot. This is four weeks later and having cut some already for my guinea pigs.