Zach's FY16 RENO-Rye to Zeon Zoysia

[Main_sail22]

No worries Andy, I should have clarified.

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[LoneRanger]

What brand is it?

[Main_sail22]

The fert brand was Lesco's landscape and ornamental balanced fert 14-14-14. Not sure about the alfalfa pellets....bought a 50 lb bag at Southern State.

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[Main_sail22]

I just received my Drive XLR8 and surfactant in the mail today. I will be spot treating the crab grass tomorrow and will post pics about how well the products work. I am using this as a pre-emergent wasn't really an option at the time I was putting the sod down, nor did the sod farm recommend a pre-m on fresh cut sod. As summer roles around I am working each group of weed with its own post emergent. Once fall comes around, I will begin a pre-m regimen.

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[J_nick]

I don't know if you have a Co-op near you but mine sales 50# bags of alfalfa pellets for around $8. They are 1/4" pellets and go through the spreader easily.

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[Spammage]

How is the alfalfa fed zoysia coming along Zach?

[Main_sail22]

The alfalfa has been down for about 2 weeks now, and results are kind of minimal. I haven't seen a big increase in a darker color or horizontal spread. I will put down another bag in around 2 weeks....it may just need some more time and additional applications.
It's also been 2 months since I put down 14-14-14, so I have about another month before I put down another app.

I am also receiving my additional sod pieces on wed. from the farm to replace the dead pieces they originally delivered to me.

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[Spammage]

Hopefully it will kick in soon. The good thing is that it is probably putting down a good root base that will help you out later. The alfalfa won't really help darken the turf though. Milo or other chelated iron products are what you need for that.

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[Main_sail22]

Thanks spammage. I hope the alfalfa is helping the root structure. I care about that much more than the color right now.

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[Main_sail22]

Sorry for not adding pics or updating the thread...I have officially been assigned my first project as Project Manager and it's a real doozy, so the long hours are taking a toll. Plus, my rain gauge says it rained 4" in roughly 3 hours yesterday so it's been super sloppy out. And to top it off, the neighbors just regarded and sodded, to the point where their runoff dumps into my backyard. My zoysia was completely under water for about 3 hours last night.

The Drive XLR8 worked pretty good with killing the crabgrass, though it turned the surrounding zoysia yellow (don't think it will kill it....color should come back in about another week or two). It only occurred where I spot sprayed. No discoloring where I misted an entire section though.

[Main_sail22]

Unlike the front, I did not dethatch the backyard and it is coming in great. I sold my Toro recycler last weekend and we have gotten 5.2" of rain on the past two days....my Toro greensmaster 1000 should be coming in soon hopefully. I usually cut at about 1", but since I don't have a mower currently, it's now at 1.75". This yr I want to keep the grass at about 3/4" so I'll scalp at .50" and maintain at 3/4" once the reel comes in


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[Spammage]

Unlike the front, I did not dethatch the backyard and it is coming in great. I sold my Toro recycler last weekend and we have gotten 5.2" of rain on the past two days....my Toro greensmaster 1000 should be coming in soon hopefully. I usually cut at about 1", but since I don't have a mower currently, it's now at 1.75". This yr I want to keep the grass at about 3/4" so I'll scalp at .50" and maintain at 3/4" once the reel comes in


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Looking good!

[Jayhawkmba]

I would not scalp as if its bermuda. Perhaps ease it down gradually.

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[Main_sail22]

Thanks for the reply Jayhawk. In the spring, do you scalp your zoysia? If so, when in the spring and how low do you scalp?

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[Main_sail22]

Any advise on transplanting plugs? I have quite a few bare spots in the front and plan on plugging some of the back and planting them in the front. Any prep work I need to be aware of?

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[Main_sail22]

After 10 weeks the backyard looks like so. I have a few holes from dog urine I need to plug.

This was cut with a rotary, but I get my first reel tomorrow. I'm sure it'll take some getting used to but once I have it down, will post new pics.

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[Jayhawkmba]

I dont scalp in the spring. Would love to get others input too. Maybe there is narrow window to? I did once and then weather stalled so it didnt grow much. In your situation, keep stress to min so roots develop optimally. I have wonder if there is a better way, like verticut, aerate and the top dress....as you know its so damn dense. You have great oppt...new mower to get comfortable with...mow every 4 days, lower gradually and youll better off.

Are you happy with look, feel etc? Neighbors in awe?

Back looks good!

[Main_sail22]

I dont scalp in the spring. Would love to get others input too. Maybe there is narrow window to? I did once and then weather stalled so it didnt grow much. In your situation, keep stress to min so roots develop optimally. I have wonder if there is a better way, like verticut, aerate and the top dress....as you know its so damn dense. You have great oppt...new mower to get comfortable with...mow every 4 days, lower gradually and youll better off.

Are you happy with look, feel etc? Neighbors in awe?

Back looks good!

Thanks for the info Jay, I am truly impressed with the color, and feel of this grass. I had my wife walk barefoot in the neighbors Bermuda then in ours and she looked at me afterward and said "you deff made the right decision with the zoysia". It looks and feels great at 2" as well as 1"! Not many of the neighbors have seen the back, and if they have, haven't said much. They do see the front however....which looks like crap. Replacement sod should be here tomorrow which should take care of the problem.

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[Main_sail22]

Below are pics of the front, and the other front(side of driveway). The main front yard deff needs some work, and it will be fixed by replacement sod pieces. I believe the lighter colored areas are due to a super low cut.

I put a golf ball next to the blades of grass so others can see the blade fineness and how it compares to Bermuda or other variants of zoysia. Softest grass my feet have walked on.






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[Jayhawkmba]

See the ends of the blades? Ragged, chewed look. Compare once u get your reel.