Going for the athletic field look
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Going for the athletic field look
So my front yard was a unsightly mess when I bought the home 4 or so years ago. I did a reno on the front in fall 2014 going to equal parts Bewitched, Blueberry, and Prosperity kbg. It turned out very well. Had a couple trees removed last fall and the seeded spots came in well other than a 2 foot section that I plugged this spring.
Lawn last year.
I used generic Primo Maxx last year and loved the results. Darker color and a little less mowing to keep thay just cut look. This year I am adding proxy to the mix. Unfortunatly due to a late order and lomger than expected shipping time I will be starting my program a week later than the GDD tracker recommends.
I also purchased a John Deere 260b greensmower, slightly modified to give me a max 1.25 height of cut.
I am going to document my progress through the year. I don't have a sprinkler system (yet) so we will see how the yard handles the summer cut short. My goal is a athletic field look and feel, not to see absolutely how low I can go. I do anticipate experimenting with the hoc until I find what I like and what the lawn tolerates.
My first hoc was 1 1/16 followed by a 7/8 cut that scalped a bit. I raised the mower to 1.25 to await my pgr's and here is where I start documenting this years progress.
[ Post made via Android ]
Lawn last year.
I used generic Primo Maxx last year and loved the results. Darker color and a little less mowing to keep thay just cut look. This year I am adding proxy to the mix. Unfortunatly due to a late order and lomger than expected shipping time I will be starting my program a week later than the GDD tracker recommends.
I also purchased a John Deere 260b greensmower, slightly modified to give me a max 1.25 height of cut.
I am going to document my progress through the year. I don't have a sprinkler system (yet) so we will see how the yard handles the summer cut short. My goal is a athletic field look and feel, not to see absolutely how low I can go. I do anticipate experimenting with the hoc until I find what I like and what the lawn tolerates.
My first hoc was 1 1/16 followed by a 7/8 cut that scalped a bit. I raised the mower to 1.25 to await my pgr's and here is where I start documenting this years progress.
[ Post made via Android ]
- ericgautier
- Posts: 2075
- Joined: August 27th, 2013, 1:27 pm
- Location: Middlesex County, NJ
- Grass Type: Front/Sides: Blueberry Monostand Back: TTTF+KBG
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Going for the athletic field look
I will be following your thread closely. Keep updating as you can.
- McLovin
- Posts: 687
- Joined: February 25th, 2009, 12:40 pm
- Location: Middle Tennessee
- Grass Type: TTTF
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Novice
Re: Going for the athletic field look
That looks great Clint.
Also check Pete1313's thread... his KGB short cut looks fantastic IMHO.
http://aroundtheyard.com/post246595.html
Also check Pete1313's thread... his KGB short cut looks fantastic IMHO.
http://aroundtheyard.com/post246595.html
- probasesteal
- Posts: 1032
- Joined: March 29th, 2014, 3:39 pm
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
- Grass Type: FRONT: SPF30, NuGlad and Midnight. BACK: Hogan's TTTF with SPF30 HBG
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Look forward to following your progress, just hope a Packers' logo doesn't pop up mid yard.
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
- Pete1313
- Posts: 873
- Joined: June 2nd, 2014, 9:36 am
- Location: Northwest Illinois
- Grass Type: Bewitched KBG
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Looking great! Subscribed.. although, if a Packer's logo shows up i might have to unsubscribe.
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
- Pete1313
- Posts: 873
- Joined: June 2nd, 2014, 9:36 am
- Location: Northwest Illinois
- Grass Type: Bewitched KBG
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Couple questions. What is the thinking on adding proxy? Is it used just in the early season to stop seed heads? Also, what is the square footage that you are going to be cutting short?
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
He was one of the ones that inspired me. Trying to think of a list of the cool season guys who are/where cutting short. Pete, Kmartel, me and you?McLovin wrote:That looks great Clint.
Also check Pete1313's thread... his KGB short cut looks fantastic IMHO.
http://aroundtheyard.com/post246595.html
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Lol, you just gave me the idea! Have to wait till just before the season.Pete1313 wrote:Looking great! Subscribed.. although, if a Packer's logo shows up i might have to unsubscribe.
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
I am just cutting the front 2500 sq ft short. The back is half reno'd to a Bewitched monostand which will be finished this fall. The Proxy is for seed head reduction which is why I am a bit miffed on starting it a week late. Not sure if I will get max effectivness.Pete1313 wrote:Couple questions. What is the thinking on adding proxy? Is it used just in the early season to stop seed heads? Also, what is the square footage that you are going to be cutting short?
[ Post made via Android ]
I figure if I can get this figured out on the front I can start having fun making little baseball/soccer and football fields in the back for the kids to play on. I already got hockey taken care of no mower required. :
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
First application of primo/proxy (generic) went down today. Primo at .60 per k, Proxy at 5 ounces per k. Threw in phosphites at 2 oz per k as a grass immune system booster.
I mowed a couple hours before and also took out a couple spots of suspicious grasses with my plugger.
2nd rime on same pattern so it popped a little bit extra.
[ Post made via Android ]
I mowed a couple hours before and also took out a couple spots of suspicious grasses with my plugger.
2nd rime on same pattern so it popped a little bit extra.
[ Post made via Android ]
- Pete1313
- Posts: 873
- Joined: June 2nd, 2014, 9:36 am
- Location: Northwest Illinois
- Grass Type: Bewitched KBG
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Look at those double wides!!
Now that you have about 5 or 6 mows under your belt, is the machine getting alot easier to control?
[ Post made via Android ]
Now that you have about 5 or 6 mows under your belt, is the machine getting alot easier to control?
[ Post made via Android ]
- McLovin
- Posts: 687
- Joined: February 25th, 2009, 12:40 pm
- Location: Middle Tennessee
- Grass Type: TTTF
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Novice
Re: Going for the athletic field look
No sir, not me, I have TTTF at 2.5" HOC (since I renovated from bermudagrass last fall). These low reel cut KGB lawns are beautiful.ClintB wrote:He was one of the ones that inspired me. Trying to think of a list of the cool season guys who are/where cutting short. Pete, Kmartel, me and you?McLovin wrote:That looks great Clint.
Also check Pete1313's thread... his KGB short cut looks fantastic IMHO.
http://aroundtheyard.com/post246595.html
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
[ Post made via Android ]Pete1313 wrote:Look at those double wides!!
Now that you have about 5 or 6 mows under your belt, is the machine getting alot easier to control?
Yes, really felt like I was along for the ride at first but it is starting to feel natural mowing the grass again. Still have to think about what I am doing and frequently catch the transport wheel shaft on something which is super annoying, but all in all mowing has become a stress reliever more than a stress inducer.
[ Post made via Android ]
- HoosierLawnGnome
- Posts: 9591
- Joined: May 22nd, 2013, 5:59 pm
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Grass Type: Blueberry KBG
- Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
It's the synergistic relationship that the effects the two AIs have on the turf.Pete1313 wrote:Couple questions. What is the thinking on adding proxy? Is it used just in the early season to stop seed heads? Also, what is the square footage that you are going to be cutting short?
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Quick update on the lawn. I have been mowing at 1.25 inches since I last posted. I have tried to make a habit of mowing after it rains and then ground is soft. It has helped even out some of the little bumps just by the weight of the mower.
2nd app of generic primo/proxy + phosphites went down and turf is looking good.
Above is the prosperity/blueberry/bewitched pgr treated front. Below is the back bewitched no pgr back. Huge difference is seedheads.
Been dry here and I watered the front two days ago after adding some milorganite. Tur is getting very blue. I love the double strip but have been varying my pattern. Here is a pic taken at dusk. Stripes so nice. Color looks gray because of lighting.
I like the look at 1.25 but after next cut am going to start working down little and see how it looks.
[ Post made via Android ]
2nd app of generic primo/proxy + phosphites went down and turf is looking good.
Above is the prosperity/blueberry/bewitched pgr treated front. Below is the back bewitched no pgr back. Huge difference is seedheads.
Been dry here and I watered the front two days ago after adding some milorganite. Tur is getting very blue. I love the double strip but have been varying my pattern. Here is a pic taken at dusk. Stripes so nice. Color looks gray because of lighting.
I like the look at 1.25 but after next cut am going to start working down little and see how it looks.
[ Post made via Android ]
- Pete1313
- Posts: 873
- Joined: June 2nd, 2014, 9:36 am
- Location: Northwest Illinois
- Grass Type: Bewitched KBG
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Looking good ClintB! what height are you mowing the back? Can't wait to see some lower HOC pics!
[ Post made via Android ]
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 564
- Joined: October 8th, 2009, 2:15 pm
- Location: Polk City, IA
- Grass Type: Award, Bewitched, Moonlight SLT, Prosperity. DOB: 8/11/12
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Looks great! How often do you have to mow it? Every two or three days?
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
With the Primo and Proxy it has been every 4 days. I have been pushing milo for color but plan to switch from bi-weekly milo to monthy milo and add iron to my monthly pgr sprays. If that works I am thinking every 5 days. I enjoy the mowing but think the mowing/striping can be stressful to the grass so I am re sisting cutting every other day.blizzisu wrote:Looks great! How often do you have to mow it? Every two or three days?
[ Post made via Android ]
-
- Posts: 453
- Joined: August 31st, 2013, 5:32 am
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Grass Type: Northern mix fall 2020 reno to elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Experienced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Still at 1.25. I am trying to figure out some issues causing browning issues. I think I may have a couple factors at play. It has been dry and while my lawn looks much greener than the neighbors it is getting drought stressed. After the predicted rain missed us I fired up the sprinklers and am giving it a good hosing. Alarm is set for 5am to move the spinkler...Pete1313 wrote:Looking good ClintB! what height are you mowing the back? Can't wait to see some lower HOC pics!
[ Post made via Android ]
I also think I browned some blade tips by spraying (generic) primo/proxy +phosphites 3 hours after cutting. Its only the last 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the blades, but there is significant browning.
I want to slowly move it down, but want to get everything looking good before I do.
[ Post made via Android ]
- Pete1313
- Posts: 873
- Joined: June 2nd, 2014, 9:36 am
- Location: Northwest Illinois
- Grass Type: Bewitched KBG
- Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
- Level: Advanced
Re: Going for the athletic field look
Good call on firing up the sprinklers. It has been sunny, warm, and dry in nw illinois as well. I feel that you need to pay closer attention to watering when it is cut shorter and the typical once a week may not be enough in the warmer periods. I used potential evapotranspiration as a guide when watering last year. It's not exact by any means, but is interesting to see what type of weather affects the ET number. ET rates have been high in my area the last 4 days @ .25", .28", .30", and .30". So with those numbers and this unusually warm, dry weather I would expect to water @ ~4days especially with the short turf.
I'm not sure with proxy and phosphites in the mix, but when I sprayed primo and FAS I would often spray 1-2 hours after a mow with no issues. Make sure if you add FS or FAS to your mix that you pay attention to high temps. Don't spray or leave on the turf when above 80° IIRC. I think by adding FAS to your mix it would help with any browning or color loss. Are you planning on removing the proxy from the mix now that you have done a couple apps?
I did have some minor browning early last year after spraying primo and FAS but that was before it was really short. My HOC was @ 2". I believe I solved my issue and it was due to the amount of surfactant (cide kick II) I was adding to the mix. When I had some minor browning the mix was .6oz/k primo, 4oz/k FS, 3.4oz/k AS, and .372 oz/k(11ml/k) of cide kick in 2 gal/k of water. I had minor browning on 2 different times when using that mix. I then kept everything the same except I dropped the cide kick rate down to .279 oz/k(8.25ml/k) and didn't have the browning issue since then. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, maybe it was because they were my first 2 full primo doses after 2 half rate apps to start the season, but the issue never came back after adjusting the surfactant amount.
[ Post made via Android ]
I'm not sure with proxy and phosphites in the mix, but when I sprayed primo and FAS I would often spray 1-2 hours after a mow with no issues. Make sure if you add FS or FAS to your mix that you pay attention to high temps. Don't spray or leave on the turf when above 80° IIRC. I think by adding FAS to your mix it would help with any browning or color loss. Are you planning on removing the proxy from the mix now that you have done a couple apps?
I did have some minor browning early last year after spraying primo and FAS but that was before it was really short. My HOC was @ 2". I believe I solved my issue and it was due to the amount of surfactant (cide kick II) I was adding to the mix. When I had some minor browning the mix was .6oz/k primo, 4oz/k FS, 3.4oz/k AS, and .372 oz/k(11ml/k) of cide kick in 2 gal/k of water. I had minor browning on 2 different times when using that mix. I then kept everything the same except I dropped the cide kick rate down to .279 oz/k(8.25ml/k) and didn't have the browning issue since then. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, maybe it was because they were my first 2 full primo doses after 2 half rate apps to start the season, but the issue never came back after adjusting the surfactant amount.
[ Post made via Android ]
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: PSU4ME and 11 guests