Lawn Chick - Renovation Fail

[Joja]

Hi Everyone!
This is my first post. A little about what I'm doing..
I first planned on overseeding my lawn. Around 16000 sqft. Then I had some paver steps done and the workers smoked the front lawn. So a renovation was begun. Started late July/early August. I live in Northern New York. I have a typical salad bar. Various weeds, some old k31 mixed in. A real mess.
So far I started with 24d, quinclorac, sedgehammer. Then stopped that and went for the kill with 3 applications of RU. It's working good! I know some don't agree for power raking. But believe me it needed it for good soil contact. So that's done. My soil is compacted so core aerating 8/29.
I have 50lbs of ss1100 from superseed store. 4 blend of kbg.

Starter fertilizer is ready
Milorganite and peat moss is ready also. I have tenacity standing by.
Here's before RU




After RU



Hitting one last time with RU. Been fallowing.
I do need advice. Should I broadcast my seed with milorganite or starter fert. The seeds are so small. Tenacity steps? When too apply. And I see watering it's always diff. I don't have irrigation. I know bad. But I'm dedicated for the watering. How long to sprinkle? How many times aday? Any other tips I'd appreciate too!!! Seed down Sept 1st and 2nd

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[LoneRanger]

All your questions have been asked and answered, so many times. Do a search on the site. It will reveal all. I'm not trying to be uncordial but, a little leg work on your part will provide so much information.

[Joja]

Thanks for the reply. I have been breathing this forum basically. I suppose just all the different advice. I second guess myself. I'll just stay the course and some hard work I'll get some good results.

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[McLovin]

Here is a guide that provides the basics for seeding and watering.

http://aroundtheyard.com/faqs/61-steps- ... hment.html

You can apply Tenacity at 4 oz/acre at seeding. For Upstate NY, most have already dropped seed (seems mid August is the timing for KGB in your area). I would plan on dropping the seed ASAP and start watering per the FAQ. Good luck!

[Joja]

Maybe I should skip aerating and drop seed then

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[tlinden]

You don't have to use a drop spreader, you can use a broadcast spreader. Most people put it on the smallest setting and just go in varying directions. By going n/s then e/w and then across those you end up with even coverage.

As for second guessing we all do it. Part way through we probably all change something too. I wasn't going to rake at all but ended up having a friend come by and using his pro mower rake lol

Anyways don't be afraid to ask!

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[McLovin]

Many here do not recommend core aeration - it does bring buried weed seed to the surface. But if you think you have compaction and want to core aerate, you should do it. I personally like the cores because they break up and provide nice soil-seed contact. If you use Tenacity at seeding and pre-emergent next spring then you should keep weed pressure down.

[Joja]

People I work with think I'm crazy. I live in an area that people just now as short as their deck goes. I have always wanted that nice striped lawn. I'll keep schedule with the aeration. Do that am, Then drop seed that night. Adding to the blisters on my hands beauty is worth the pain, so they say!

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[tlinden]

Lol yeah my neighbors cut short too but it makes for a nice line down the property haha

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[timingchainslipped]

i know it's last minute, but i would definitely consider getting a soil sample taken. from that you'll know exactly what to add to maximize your gains. get the logan sample but bear in mind the queue is back logged, i'm still waiting for my second report's analysis, so i would consider contacting cornell extension with logan's results just so that you have some suggestions before it gets too late.

also, you might want to read up on BLSC/KH, i think that's something you might benefit from too.

[probasesteal]

^I'd probably wait until winter (Feb) for the soil test. Good time to collect and you've got your hands full now.
I agree drop seed ASAP, topdressing and drop tenacity. I'm watering 6-15 minutes depending on the zone every 4 hours for reference.

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[Joja]

I've been reading about the soil conditioning. I def need to do that. Of course as a learning curve it came late for me. I should have done that already. I plan on picking it. Figuring that right products to use. I did the Cornell sample but it's not ready yet. I did use Round up so I'm not sure if that will tamper my read. I'm going to use Logan's for my next sample. Thinking of sampling regularly maybe twice a year. Sound like to much? I really want to do this right. I might have not started perfectly. I should have done the start beginning of July. Instead of the end. I have to order all products online because no one carries them anywhere close to me.

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[Joja]

One thing I am searching is earth worm casings and a mushroom substance. Any ideas on these? Worth it or no

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[probasesteal]

One thing I am searching is earth worm casings and a mushroom substance. Any ideas on these? Worth it or no

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Don't think it's going to make our break the reno.
Looks like a lot of matted grass in the third picture. If that after or before raking?

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[Joja]

That's before. I scalped it, power raked. The scalped down as low as I could. I have a toro super recycler. Bagged everything.

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[Joja]

Here's the scalped/raked pic

Just leveled some low spots with top soil right now

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[LoneRanger]

You're really late putting this together. Are you sure next fall is not best for you? Is that tracker dye that's giving color?

[ligrass]

I would broadcast the seed by itself in several different directions at the lowest setting on your spreader. You could also hand seed it. Doing it by hand goes faster than you might think once you get the hang of it. Roll the seed in or top dress with peat moss.

Water 5-10 minutes each time. Cut it down to 5 if you get puddling anywhere. The real critical watering period is between 11am-5pm. Try to aim for 3 waterings in that time frame and you should do well. 4-5x a day would be ideal. Using a timer and some well-placed sprinklers, you can do it. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[Joja]

You're really late putting this together. Are you sure next fall is not best for you? Is that tracker dye that's giving color?

It is tracker die. Wind was around 11-12 mp so I wanted to make sure I was not drifting. I read some Cornell extension sites, saying Sept 1 to drop for my zone. I though I was on track. But sounds maybe I am instead behind. I'm going to skip aerating. And drop Aug 28. Only a few days sooner.

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[Joja]

Thank Ligrass!!

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