aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
- Location: Central Ohio
- Grass Type: I don't know
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aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Hi All,
I've been lurking around the site for quite a while as I researched and came to the decision to try my first reno this year.
I'm in central Ohio and will be doing a Bewitched monostand on my ~7,500 sq ft lawn.
Seed is purchased, glyphosate is purchased, blue tracker dye purchased, and shiny new backpack sprayer is arriving this weekend.
I had an irrigation system put in this June.
I plan to spray this weekend for round 1, then again the following weekend, scalp, fallow, and then one final spray if needed.
I'm also debating having the lawn dethatched after scalping and/or having it aerated before seed down. Thoughts on those topics?
I'm also a bit nervous about all of the rocks through the lawn; I'll be pulling out what I can of course. Knowing that there are more rocks than I'd like (from the original home construction, I'm sure), should I plan to get top dressing down before seed down, to help with a bit more quality dirt contact?
Thanks for all of the awesome knowledge I've already received in addition to any future help from everyone.
I've been lurking around the site for quite a while as I researched and came to the decision to try my first reno this year.
I'm in central Ohio and will be doing a Bewitched monostand on my ~7,500 sq ft lawn.
Seed is purchased, glyphosate is purchased, blue tracker dye purchased, and shiny new backpack sprayer is arriving this weekend.
I had an irrigation system put in this June.
I plan to spray this weekend for round 1, then again the following weekend, scalp, fallow, and then one final spray if needed.
I'm also debating having the lawn dethatched after scalping and/or having it aerated before seed down. Thoughts on those topics?
I'm also a bit nervous about all of the rocks through the lawn; I'll be pulling out what I can of course. Knowing that there are more rocks than I'd like (from the original home construction, I'm sure), should I plan to get top dressing down before seed down, to help with a bit more quality dirt contact?
Thanks for all of the awesome knowledge I've already received in addition to any future help from everyone.
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- Posts: 87
- Joined: June 14th, 2017, 3:29 am
- Location: Michigan city, in
- Grass Type: Tall fescue
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
A lot of people will advise against mechanical aeration because it pulls up buried weed seeds but if you have legitimate compaction issues it's worth it. If you do, dethatch afterwards so the holes fill in; you don't want your seeds falling into deep aeration holes. That should give you enough soil for good germination. Top dressing seems to give mixed results in terms of germination and is a lot of work.
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
- Location: Central Ohio
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Thank you, that's helpful feedback. I'll plan to skip the aeration and probably will skip the dethatching unless I find that I have lots of leftover dead grass after my kill and final mowings.
Next question - to rent a slit seeder, or just use my broadcast seeder?
Next question - to rent a slit seeder, or just use my broadcast seeder?
- Jackpine
- Posts: 1081
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
If you can see soil beneath the existing grass you don't need to dethatch. Cut the dead grass as short as possible, bag the clippings and you're good to go.
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Thanks, that is super helpful. We (wife and me) have done 3 mows in less than 24 hours, bagging it all. Darn backpack sprayer is taking longer than expected to arrive - hop to have it by Tuesday based on tracking updates.
We asked for odd to aerate with immediate dethatching followed, would love to do both back to back as soon as we finish our last mow... but we also know we're up against the clock.
As always, any and all feedback is appreciated.
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Many on here also advise against slit seeding because it can also bring up weed seed. I'm considering slit seeding my sloped side yard, along with the ditch, due to the steepness of the them. It's going to be hard to keep seed in place. Tenacity applied at seed down is going to help with weed seed and I can deal with any other weeds later. Sometimes you have to weigh the pros and cons.
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
- Location: Central Ohio
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
I think I'm with you. I'll probably look to rent a slit seeder and follow up with tenacity.
I'm really nervous about soil contact - and would love to dethatch if I can find someone to do it quickly. I figure it can't hurt, right? Ideally, I'd like to dethatch after my final mow.
Been mowing like crazy the last couple days, down to the second lowest setting and a whole bunch of bags stacked up
Backsprayer comes tomorrow so that will be my first kill - a bit nervous about being behind schedule but not much I can do about it.
My plan right now:
1. Spray tomorrow
2. Mow again Tuesday
3. Water like crazy every day for a week to fallow
4. Spray Saturday
5. Final mow Sunday
6. Do this or no? Dethatch as soon as possible, maybe Monday
7. Do this or no? ASAP - like Tuesday - 1/4-1/2 inch of topsoil if I can get someone to spread it to help with soil contact and a somewhat smoother surface
8. Do this or no? Rent slit seeder and seed at the "highest" setting (not too deep) ASAP
9. Do this or no? Tenacity down that weekend
Thoughts?
My biggest concerns right now are trying to move fast so I don't kiss the window, and also making sure I get the seed applied at the right rate (4 lb/1k for Bewitched).
Recommendations on the plan or how to get more confident with seeding rate?
I'm really nervous about soil contact - and would love to dethatch if I can find someone to do it quickly. I figure it can't hurt, right? Ideally, I'd like to dethatch after my final mow.
Been mowing like crazy the last couple days, down to the second lowest setting and a whole bunch of bags stacked up
Backsprayer comes tomorrow so that will be my first kill - a bit nervous about being behind schedule but not much I can do about it.
My plan right now:
1. Spray tomorrow
2. Mow again Tuesday
3. Water like crazy every day for a week to fallow
4. Spray Saturday
5. Final mow Sunday
6. Do this or no? Dethatch as soon as possible, maybe Monday
7. Do this or no? ASAP - like Tuesday - 1/4-1/2 inch of topsoil if I can get someone to spread it to help with soil contact and a somewhat smoother surface
8. Do this or no? Rent slit seeder and seed at the "highest" setting (not too deep) ASAP
9. Do this or no? Tenacity down that weekend
Thoughts?
My biggest concerns right now are trying to move fast so I don't kiss the window, and also making sure I get the seed applied at the right rate (4 lb/1k for Bewitched).
Recommendations on the plan or how to get more confident with seeding rate?
- andy10917
- Posts: 29741
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Where did you get the seeding rate from? That is quite high.
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Hi Andy,
Thanks for checking out my thread, I'm pumped to get advice from everyone, especially you
Good catch, I should actually be at 3 lb/1k, right? That is the number I used for calculating my purchase amount, I'm not sure where the 4 came from just now
Thanks for checking out my thread, I'm pumped to get advice from everyone, especially you
Good catch, I should actually be at 3 lb/1k, right? That is the number I used for calculating my purchase amount, I'm not sure where the 4 came from just now
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- Posts: 87
- Joined: June 14th, 2017, 3:29 am
- Location: Michigan city, in
- Grass Type: Tall fescue
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Sorry I misinterpreted your comments about the dethatching and aerating. I thought you were suggesting you wanted tio do that after seeding, but now I understand you meant before. That's what happens when I chime in before having my first cup of morning coffee.
- andy10917
- Posts: 29741
- 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: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
2-3 lbs/K is the typical range. I like 2.5 lbs/K.
- Jackpine
- Posts: 1081
- Joined: October 28th, 2011, 6:02 pm
- Location: Antrim County, Michigan
- Grass Type: N.W. Mi. KBG blend
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Now need to "dethatch" the left over dead grass. You want what is left after the final buzz cut to help shade the seedlings and conserve moisture. I and many others count on it instead of putting down peat moss and it works great.
Your seed will get to the soil no worries.
Your seed will get to the soil no worries.
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- Posts: 87
- Joined: June 14th, 2017, 3:29 am
- Location: Michigan city, in
- Grass Type: Tall fescue
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Ok I've had a few cups of coffee now. It looks like my second reply never got posted. If I'm reading it right this time, you've scalped before spraying. Stop scalping and let your grass grow out before spraying. The grass has to soak up the glyphosate through the leaves in order for it to work.
- andy10917
- Posts: 29741
- Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
- Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
- Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
More is NOT better.Any reason to opt for 2.5 instead of 3?
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- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Understood, thanks everyone. I'll target 2.5 lbs/1k sq ft.
Best approach with a scotts broadcast spreader - set it down as low as I can get seed to come out reliably, and start walking with the right amount of seed based on weight, and just keep doing passes (different directions) until seed is gone for that section?
Or is there a better method (or "known setting" that I haven't been able to find by searching) that you all recommend for my Scott's Turf Builder Edguard Mini broadcast spreader?
Side note, backpack sprayer was delivered today, and I pulled the trigger on a peat moss spreader last night to help out with that process
Best approach with a scotts broadcast spreader - set it down as low as I can get seed to come out reliably, and start walking with the right amount of seed based on weight, and just keep doing passes (different directions) until seed is gone for that section?
Or is there a better method (or "known setting" that I haven't been able to find by searching) that you all recommend for my Scott's Turf Builder Edguard Mini broadcast spreader?
Side note, backpack sprayer was delivered today, and I pulled the trigger on a peat moss spreader last night to help out with that process
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
- Location: Central Ohio
- Grass Type: I don't know
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
A couple of photos from the weekend - 3 mowings in under 24 hours (all bagged, of course). I got down to setting #2 but not quite the lowest setting on my mower quite yet. I'm trying to gradually get lower and lower to make sure I don't have too many clippings get missed by the bagging process and "polluate" my seeding surface.
Now that my backpack sprayer is in and I can hopefully get my glypho down tonight, I'll plan to start fallowing and mow Thursday, Friday (if needed), and then on Saturday down to my lowest setting
(and possibly a power raking after?) before RU number 2 next Monday.
Now that my backpack sprayer is in and I can hopefully get my glypho down tonight, I'll plan to start fallowing and mow Thursday, Friday (if needed), and then on Saturday down to my lowest setting
(and possibly a power raking after?) before RU number 2 next Monday.
- ken-n-nancy
- Posts: 2571
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Personally, I think the above approach is the best way to get even coverage during seeding with any spreader. Ideally, you'll get at least two complete passes over everything, and preferably three or more.
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- Joined: June 8th, 2017, 10:09 am
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Re: aug0211's Newbie Midwest Reno (Bewitched)
Thanks, ken-n-nancy. IIRC, your reno thread was one of the more impressionable ones that helped me decide to take the plunge I appreciate the advice!
Unrelated note, no glypho tonight Battery needs an 8 hour charge and it's a bit too windy. Hoping for more luck tomorrow after work, otherwise, I'll be taking a day off work because I need to get going!
Unrelated note, no glypho tonight Battery needs an 8 hour charge and it's a bit too windy. Hoping for more luck tomorrow after work, otherwise, I'll be taking a day off work because I need to get going!
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