Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Discuss how to and whether you should renovate your lawn
kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 17th, 2018, 2:14 pm

Some recently built a new dream home on a wooded lot. The lot required a ton of work in terms of tree clearing, culvert addition, and fill dirt to bring up really low areas in front. We just had our first child as well during this process. With all the work a child brings I haven't really been able to do a lot of the new lawn work myself and have relied on my landscaper for the majority of the work. Here is a rough timeline of what has happened.

July 25: 15 dump truck loads of topsoil from former farmland brought in and spread mainly in the front. Native top soil spread around back yard. Fine grading done.

August 9-10: 40 head and 4 zone irrigation installed with Hydrawise wifi controller.

August 13: landscaper used box rake attached to skid steer to prepare seed bed for lawn as well as using landscape rake (rockhound) to remove all the stones and debris from topsoil. Also took two sets of soil samples and sent to Logan labs. One backyard sample (native top soil) and one front (brought in top soil).


August 14: landscaper broadcast seeded 80 lbs of pure Kentucky bluegrass (4 elite varieties) and used e mat on slopes and then spread straw over other areas. I know not ideal. I had told him to use peat moss but he said he "forgot". Also should have used sod quality seed from seed superstore. Another mistake. He also used a 10-10-10 as a starter fertilizer.

I've been watering for short periods daily to keep the soil moist but not saturated. It rained today quite a bit so haven't irrigated today. Will see if the seed will sprout. Keeping my fingers crossed. No tenacity used. Going old school on this one. Weeds will be dealt with later.






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DevilDawg81
Posts: 579
Joined: April 11th, 2017, 7:09 pm
Location: Columbus, OH
Grass Type: KBG, PRG, Fescue mix
Lawn Size: 2 acre-5 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by DevilDawg81 » August 17th, 2018, 9:37 pm

You got your hands full man. The house looks fantastic, and little ones are only little once. I’m going to be in this position next Spring, as my wife and I are building on 6 acres starting this fall. My advice is to do what you can with your lawn, but enjoy that little baby. Since you’re gonna be here long term (assuming of course), you’re gonna have time to make your lawn perfect. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Just my opinion...my oldest is starting Kindergarten Monday...I have no clue where the last 5 years went!!

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 18th, 2018, 12:35 pm

Yeah definitely hands full at this time. That's why I had to outsource the seeding and went with a cheaper non sod quality but yet still elite kbg blend. 100 lbs of sod quality seed ain't cheap! The blend I used has 4 different kbg cultivars. 30 percent each of fielder, sr2100, and mercury kbg and 10 percent Arcadia. From Ntep ratings and descriptions of each cultivar it seems like a good mix. Fielder is said to be quick germinating with 7-10 day germination under ideal conditions. It seems like they put some thought into this blend as it has fast and slow germinating types mixed with more shade tolerant ones. Good disease resistance and has included a dark green midnight type Arcadia. For spot reseeding I do have about 10 lbs of a 50:50 sod quality blend of midnight and bewitched at my disposal from last year.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 18th, 2018, 6:38 pm

I can't believe it but I spotted my first sprouts today! August 18 which is only 4 days after seeding. Unreal.


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kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 20th, 2018, 8:04 am

Forecast doesn't look good for me today. Severe t-storms with flash flood warning today. Some areas may get 2-4 inches. Trying not to stress too much as I'm sure my lawn isn't the first one to have this happen to it. I'm sure it will be fine. Extra scotch for me tonight.


VitoXI
Posts: 36
Joined: April 18th, 2017, 12:50 pm
Location: NE Illinois
Grass Type: Kentucky Bluegrass
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by VitoXI » August 20th, 2018, 5:17 pm

How'd that thunderstorm treat you?

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 20th, 2018, 7:52 pm

Terrible and still falling. Rivers of water everywhere. Will need to reseed I'm guessing. Ok to reseed now or should I avoid walking on lawn in hopes grass that has sprouted won't get pulled out.


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VitoXI
Posts: 36
Joined: April 18th, 2017, 12:50 pm
Location: NE Illinois
Grass Type: Kentucky Bluegrass
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by VitoXI » August 20th, 2018, 8:38 pm

First pic looks awfully rough to me. What's with that grading? Looks like the lot is graded to direct water towards your house.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 20th, 2018, 8:52 pm

FIrst on is where they will be working on patio. Bad grading but water staying away from the house. Rain stopped for a bit but has picked up again. 5 inches and counting.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 20th, 2018, 9:30 pm

7 inches :banghead:

bpgreen
Posts: 3871
Joined: January 3rd, 2009, 2:28 am
Location: Utah (Wasatch Front)
Grass Type: Western, Streambank, Crested wheatgrass in front (with blue grama added in the heckstrips), sheep fescue in back; strawberry clovetr in both
Lawn Size: 3000-5000
Level: Experienced

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by bpgreen » August 20th, 2018, 10:06 pm

kbgfarmer wrote:
August 20th, 2018, 9:30 pm
7 inches :banghead:
That's what she said.


Sorry.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 20th, 2018, 11:34 pm

Hahahha. Just ordered 50 lbs of bewitched from seed superstore to reseed washed out areas. Any idea how long it takes to ship?

KBGkicksazz
Posts: 546
Joined: April 19th, 2018, 5:12 pm
Location: S. New Hampshire
Grass Type: KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by KBGkicksazz » August 21st, 2018, 5:48 am

Looks like the straw and seeding mats did a pretty decent job of holding soil in place considering the massive amount of rain you got. Of course may look worse in person but could have been far worse.

Hang in there it seems to happen to all of us.

northeastlawn
Posts: 1259
Joined: June 1st, 2015, 3:10 pm
Location: S.E. Mass.
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Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by northeastlawn » August 21st, 2018, 8:54 am

SSS is pretty quick, but have always bough smaller amounts. Not sure how the ship 50#'s.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 21st, 2018, 9:52 am

11 inches after all said and done. Part of my front retaining wall collapsed. I've never seen rain like this. Feel like crying.


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KBGkicksazz
Posts: 546
Joined: April 19th, 2018, 5:12 pm
Location: S. New Hampshire
Grass Type: KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by KBGkicksazz » August 21st, 2018, 9:57 am

Is their rip rap or any kind of soil barrier behind the wall? If not then you should add one as that’s the proper way to build it.
kbgfarmer wrote:
August 21st, 2018, 9:52 am
11 inches after all said and done. Part of my front retaining wall collapsed. I've never seen rain like this. Feel like crying.


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kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 21st, 2018, 10:31 am

Their was weed barrier fabric. Guy who put in wall is coming today to assess. Of course I'm not going to let him just build it back like it was so this doesn't happen again.

kbgfarmer
Posts: 485
Joined: July 21st, 2016, 10:35 am
Location: Verona, WI
Grass Type: Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by kbgfarmer » August 21st, 2018, 12:59 pm

Started reseeding with some bewitched and midnight that I had leftover in the front.

KBGkicksazz
Posts: 546
Joined: April 19th, 2018, 5:12 pm
Location: S. New Hampshire
Grass Type: KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by KBGkicksazz » August 21st, 2018, 7:50 pm

If they buried the bases of those trees too much they won’t survive can’t tell from picture.
kbgfarmer wrote:
August 21st, 2018, 10:31 am
Their was weed barrier fabric. Guy who put in wall is coming today to assess. Of course I'm not going to let him just build it back like it was so this doesn't happen again.

northeastlawn
Posts: 1259
Joined: June 1st, 2015, 3:10 pm
Location: S.E. Mass.
Grass Type: KBG
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Experienced

Re: Kbgfarmer's new lawn establishment

Post by northeastlawn » August 21st, 2018, 9:46 pm

How high was the retaining wall was it engineered?

Is it a real wall with a footing, or just stones piled on top of each other?

You got a lot of rain, that would put a lot of stress on any kind of landscaper built retaining wall. Good walls have foundations below the frost line, are backfilled with crushed stone or well drained gravel, and have weep holes to receive the stress from water building up behind them. Actually they should be designed to hold it back just in case it happens.

7" is a lot of rain, it would be a worse case scenario for a lot of site plans.

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