Midwest Front Reno 2017

[bellts02]

Began a Reno on my front lawn, planted 5 May. Until yesterday I was watering 3 times A-day for 5 minutes. I've cut that down to 2 times A-day. Is this enough watering or should I back-off even more? Pic is progress as of day 27.

[andy10917]

It's not just about cutting back on water. You're within 20 days of peak sun for the year - you picked the scenario.

As you cut back on the number of waterings, the length of the watering period goes UP. The idea is to get the roots to reach deeper for water as they get older.

[bellts02]

Misspoke, am now watering for five minutes each time. Was watering 3 minutes each. I was told keep the ground moist but not soggy until germination when I seeded. What is my goal now that I'm past germination?

[bellts02]

I should also disclose that we are still getting an abundance of rain. I have yet to water my backyard this year and it's lush. Also should I throw down milorganite now that I'm at day 30ish? I've read fertilizing KBG in the summer is not good.

[andy10917]

Gentle fertilization like Milorganite is OK at Day 30. Only you can judge the rainfall vs irrigation -- there is no "program" for irrigation at this point.

[bellts02]

Andy (et all), I'm having problems with crabgrass and other weeds in a few areas and the KBG is having a hard time competing. I sprayed in a couple of areas and it looks like it weakened or killed a bit of the KBG. Is that possible or is the grass just dying from lack of sunlight due to weeds? Should I apply too the whole yard? I'm just trying to nurse these babies along until fall. Thanks for your help.

[edenl01]

I would not be applying post emergent herbicides to any of it that soon after seed down. Tenacity maybe. Also the heat we are getting combined with the herbicides could cause you bigger problems than some crabgrass. At these temperatures nothing goes on the lawn except water.

[bellts02]

I'll just hand pull as much as I can. Its not a huge area. Thanks.

[g-man]

Seed down may 5. When was germination ?

It is too young for herbicides. Hand pulling is a good option, but it might be too young to walk on it. Step lightly and be careful with those little grass babies. Summer heat is here, therefore make sure it doesn't dry out.

[bellts02]

Germinated at about 14 days. Will definitely be careful. The tree helps keep the young-uns from drying out so quickly. I have been watering frequently. Trying to scale back and water deeper.

[bellts02]

Starting to rethink my decision. Here's what the front looked like last year. I was hoping that kbg striped better. Plus its been a challenge.

[g-man]

Kbg takes at least a year to look good. There is no going back now. Keep adjusting to maintain new lawn alive. Find that point that it just starts show stress.

[bellts02]

Progress day 38 and problem areas.

[fusebox7]

Seed down was a month ago and you're concerned about striping? You should know (especially by joining this forum) by planting 100% KBG that it is the true test of patience. There will be weeds. There will be bare patches. There will be many (hard) lessons learned. But through it all, it is a damn tough and gorgeous grass once it's established. Stick it out and just remember you can't speed up time. Good luck!

[Marinegrunt]

If anything over seed in the fall. My neighbor planted a big box fescue/bluegrass mix in an area about 15' x 100' around the same time as you. The bluegrass starting dying off over the last week or two or I assume It's the kbg. We've been in the upper 80's/low 90's tho. Seems like it's going to be a hot dry summer in the Midwest this year. I told him I'd help him over seed this fall when I seed my yard.

[bellts02]

No, striping is why i reno'ed. Just explaining why i did it in the cutest place. I'm realizing that full establishment will take a lot of patience. I'm amazed at how fast Paul's bewitched filled in from three Reno forum. He's got nice density at day 96 while mine looks like it might get there on day 196.

[fusebox7]

No, striping is why i reno'ed. Just explaining why i did it in the cutest place. I'm realizing that full establishment will take a lot of patience. I'm amazed at how fast Paul's bewitched filled in from three Reno forum. He's got nice density at day 96 while mine looks like it might get there on day 196.

It will be there next spring. Remember, Paul did a FALL reno. It establishes roots for the winter in the fall and then starts spreading the following spring. With spring/summer renos, it takes longer due to the stress of summer heat

[bellts02]

So far so good on day 46. Focusing on weeding by hand now. I figure a like at a time and I'll get through it all eventually. Mowed for the first time too.

[bellts02]

Day 64 pics. Also, seems to be getting thicker in the past couple of weeks. So I asked a question before about post emergent. Is the heat the concern or the age of the plant more of a concern for spraying. In other words, if I wait for a 2 to 3 day spell of 85 degree days could I spray now that the grass is a like older?

[bellts02]