Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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andy10917
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by andy10917 » October 5th, 2019, 11:35 am

That does not go down at 9 lbs/K and will not be OK to apply every 90 days. If you use it, apply at rate on the bag and wait a minimum of 6 months between applications. It will likely be applied at 40-50 lbs/K.

starpartyguy
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 5th, 2019, 12:16 pm

Ok. Thanks. I only bought 3 bags. I’ll put it in the shed till next year. I can go shopping for the other products you mentioned.

starpartyguy
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 5th, 2019, 1:16 pm

I found encap locally at ace. Can I put that down on new growth? Can you give me suggestions on a timeline for applying encap and when to use the iron? Thanks

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by andy10917 » October 5th, 2019, 6:16 pm

How "new" is "new growth"?

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 5th, 2019, 7:25 pm

Planted 2 weeks ago today.


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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by andy10917 » October 5th, 2019, 7:50 pm

I wouldn't put down Lime -or- Iron on a lawn until the grass was a month past GERMINATION (not seeding). Why is there a rush to get lots of stuff applied to a baby lawn?

starpartyguy
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 5th, 2019, 8:34 pm

At the beginning of this thread, I think there was some confusion about the condition of the lawn. It was mentioned to apply iron, lime, urea nitrogen,etc. It sounded like a lot of stuff for new seed. In Pa. we get weird weather in the late fall. 2 years ago we had snow on Thanksgiving. Last year we had 60’s that week. Based on worst case I feel rushed. Last year I spread 3 yards of topsoil/compost mix and reseeded 2000 square feet. The winter was hard and Spring was dry. It was mostly lost over the summer.

I tried to use common sense. I read the label on Pennington Starter fertilizer and it was safe to use at time of seeding. I put that down. It has 5% iron. I used 35 lbs of good TTTF over lawn. I hand shoveled 2 yards of compost to add organic matter.

I need some guidance. I’m getting a lot of information. I’m getting confused.

Temps were in the 90’s 5 days ago and today barely got into the 70’s. I don’t want to lose the grass to winter.

And btw, it’s me and my beagle. And Hunter doesn’t do yard work, LOL.

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by andy10917 » October 5th, 2019, 8:53 pm

OK, here's your guidance.

The best time to correct the soil is starting ten weeks before you do renovation - not 100 things five days before/after the seed goes down. An the best time to put the seed down is around August 15th in your area (and mine).

Two yards of compost on a lawn your size is not a lot. To raise the OM by 1% takes 20,000 lbs of organic material.

The best way to "lose a lawn to winter" is to stress it badly, and a plethora of material all at once stresses the lawn. Support the lawn grass, don't try to force it to do what you want it to do.

There will be a 2020 season, and the odds a favoring a 2021 season too.
And btw, it’s me and my beagle. And Hunter doesn’t do yard work, LOL.
It's me and then there's me working on my 1+ acre property. It is pretty heavily sloped, and I'm 67 years old and diabetic. I work a full-time job too - sometimes requiring coast-to-coast travel weekly. Don't complain.

starpartyguy
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 5th, 2019, 11:34 pm

Im 62 and diabetic too.

Going to leave well enough alone and let the grass grow. Watering once a day now 30 minutes each station. I think I might be able to mow in another week or two (probably 2).

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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by JHazzardB » October 10th, 2019, 10:54 am

How are the little seedlings doing Star? Any pics?

starpartyguy
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 10th, 2019, 12:47 pm

Image

Image


Not bad. This was taken last weekend. It looks better than this now. We got 3 days of light rain starting Sunday. It’s starting to thicken but there’s some bare spots and clover. Not going to tray weeds. Figure the winter will kill most. Going to pull sprinklers and mow this weekend. I don’t think I have time to put down more seed to cover bare spots.

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 10th, 2019, 3:45 pm

Here’s the view from the house side.

Looks a lot better than 3 weeks ago
Image

Image

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
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Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 10th, 2019, 5:42 pm

I think I forgot to put seed on the bare 10 foot strip along the far side of the driveway. I had some year old seed. Figured might as well put it down and water it. Would go in trash anyway.

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 11th, 2019, 9:06 am

Going to mow tomorrow. Pulling up sprinklers and hoses. Cutting should encourage the grass to spread.

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Soil test Starpartyguy September 2019

Post by starpartyguy » October 12th, 2019, 7:30 pm

2 before pictures and one current image after mowing. 3 weeks in so far.
Image

Image

Image

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