Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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jacob.lundeen
Posts: 77
Joined: March 21st, 2015, 2:57 pm
Location: Columbia, SC
Grass Type: Centipede
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by jacob.lundeen » April 13th, 2021, 1:25 pm

Hello, its been a long time since I posted. Also been a long time since I've had a yard. I'm in a new house in Columbia, SC and want to get to work with the yard. My yard information is:
  • I have approximately 12k sqft of yard
  • Centipede grass
  • Yard is divided into 5 zones for watering, I am currently watering each zone for an hour (approximately 1 inch of water) a week
  • I mow and pick up clippings every one to two weeks
  • I want the best approach for my soil/grass. I'm good with doing the micronutrients as well.

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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: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by andy10917 » April 15th, 2021, 8:29 pm

Jacob, I have heard it said that Centipede enjoys abuse and dragging an empty fertilizer bag around a Centipede lawn is enough fertilizer. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but you want a low pH like you have and you don't want to put down too much fertilizer at once. I'd go with a balanced fertilizer at half the bag rate, 3X a season. I don't know that I'd mess with the micronutrients in the first year - let's see how it reacts to regular light feedings.

Watering is important in a low-TEC soil, I wouldn't remove the clippings if the lawnmower is capable of mulching the clippings.

My impression is that you'd enjoy a high-maintenance lawn to take care of. If that's the case, you have to move to Bermuda or St Augustine - high maintenance and Centipede just don't go well together.

jacob.lundeen
Posts: 77
Joined: March 21st, 2015, 2:57 pm
Location: Columbia, SC
Grass Type: Centipede
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by jacob.lundeen » April 15th, 2021, 8:47 pm

I had Bermuda at my previous house and I very much liked it. What would be the best process for me to switch my grass over to Bermuda?

User avatar
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: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by andy10917 » April 15th, 2021, 9:20 pm

It's a whole different process. Think over whether your willing to really invest time/$$$$$ to make that decision and let me know.

BTW, Centipede will never look like Bermuda, no matter what you do to it.

jacob.lundeen
Posts: 77
Joined: March 21st, 2015, 2:57 pm
Location: Columbia, SC
Grass Type: Centipede
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by jacob.lundeen » April 16th, 2021, 7:47 am

Since I'm just starting on caring for the yard, I won't mess with trying to switch to Bermuda this year. I'm not so much worried about the time (I love doing yard work), but could you provide an approximate cost I'd be looking at?


User avatar
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: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by andy10917 » April 16th, 2021, 8:39 am

I have no idea of the costs in your area. And the costs would largely be dependent on your expectations and patience - you could use Bermuda seed, but the best hybrids don't grow from seeds. Sodding 12K would be $$$$$$$$$, or you could spend far less by investigating sprigging. But sprigging takes a long time to become a lawn.

jacob.lundeen
Posts: 77
Joined: March 21st, 2015, 2:57 pm
Location: Columbia, SC
Grass Type: Centipede
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Jacob Lundeen's 2021 Report (Logan Labs)

Post by jacob.lundeen » April 16th, 2021, 8:48 am

Well damn, if we were planning on staying here long-term, I'd consider it. But we don't expect this to be our forever home, so I may just stick with the Centipede. Thank you sir!

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