Serious lawn problems (long post)

[starpartyguy]

I'll get samples tomorrow. Get them in the mail Monday.

Going to tarp the 2 scoops of compost I got today and hold off planting till results come in. MIght hit some dead areas with the rake or the tow behind rake to get down to bare ground. Some spots don't look like the seed will get past the thatch. And the ground is slightly damp. I have some good 'before' pictures. Can't wait till the after pictures. LOL!

[starpartyguy]

Looked through the material. Will gather samples tomorrow and get it out via UPS. Maybe I'll get the results by next weekend. I'm going to tarp up the compost in the driveway till I get the results. Weather is getting much cooler. Was 90's for highs. Now topping at 75.

[starpartyguy]

The soil samples are on the way. Delivery Monday

[starpartyguy]

Soil test is in. Just posted today in appropriate forum. Will wait for recommendations. Got next week off.

[HoosierLawnGnome]

Soil test is in. Just posted today in appropriate forum. Will wait for recommendations. Got next week off.

Got it. I'd make seed down my priority. See the post

[HoosierLawnGnome]

6 weeks of growth isn't much time. You may get lots of winter kill amd need to replan to overseed depending on how things look come spring. Check in then.

Even decent coverage is fine, it can be encouraged and fill in really well. Big bare spots are more of an issue.

[Alias-Dor]

Can you offer a few good sources for urea fertilizer? And wouldn't starter fertilizer work better for the bare spots?

You don’t have a southern States farms in Lancaster ? They have 50lb bags for $24 .

[starpartyguy]

We have Stauffers of Kissel Hill as the Garden Center listed under Southern States. But I already bought the urea. Will check on them for the Iron Sulfate though.

[HoosierLawnGnome]

If you have insect damage I'd treat now. Dylox etc. You wont get a chance to reseed this fall

[starpartyguy]

Could I put the Dilox down after the pout and sprout phase?

[starpartyguy]

I’m going to verify one way or another by digging around the perimeter of the bare spots to see if anything is there

[starpartyguy]

Could I use grubex in the meantime just to hold the line until winter?

[starpartyguy]

I dug and spotted one grub wiggling around. Going to use Bio advanced. Primary ingredient Dylox. Says it can be applied with seeding. Just trying to hold the line till spring application. Sound good?

Seed going down tomorrow. I’ll apply iron in 2 weeks around same time as lime.

Starter fertilizer from Pennington says safe to apply when seeding. No wait time. And gas 5% iron. Anyone see a problem putting it down while seeding?

Going to spread grub control first and water it in for a half hour. Then compost in worst areas. Then fret. Then tttf. Was told 8 lbs per k over bare ground and 2-4 overseeding. Hell or high water I’m getting this lawn back in shape. Lol.

Sorry for sounding rushed. I have a camping trip starting Wednesday through the next weekend. Time is short to get seed down.

Lots of multitasking!

And as always,thanks for the guidance.

[starpartyguy]

I believe my planting window is much larger than I thought. Don’t know much about using soil temperature to guide planting but my soil temp from Greencast says 69.2 degrees. The videos I watched said 70-55 is ok to plant. History says hard freeze soil temperature is around January 2.

[edslawn]

Can you offer a few good sources for urea fertilizer?

Site One in Harrisburg has it.

[HoosierLawnGnome]

Dylox is fine now.

Hard freeze is not when turf stops growing.

Lots of assumptions in those videos a newer lawn nut may not pick up on yet.

It's about how many days are left to grow in the season.

[starpartyguy]

Seed is down in front and sides along with Pennington Super Green starter fert. It has a little iron in it. It's hot! 80's. Got 9 impact sprinklers. Next year we bury lines for irrigation. Last year we had >150 days of rain. This year, it's tough to remember the last day it rained. Hardly even a thunderstorm.

Well, big water bill next month...

[starpartyguy]

Update from last year: New lawn is doing well. Took soil samples today and found 1 tiny grub that was dead or dormant. I hate those little things. A couple before and after images to follow:

[bernstem]

Looking much better and a good start to the marathon.

[starpartyguy]

I think I got everything I need for next few applications. Going to be frugal because so much business is closing up temporarily in Pa. I'll probably be fine. I'm not quarantined and not coming into contact with many people. Work in IT at the university and I'm essential because Help Desk has to stay open. Might be able to work from home if needed. It can be done but it has its hurdles.

Think I'll put down Prodiamine today after covering the recently seeded bare spots with tarps. I used the starter fert with weed preventer in those spots.

Rain coming Thursday and Friday. Going to get the iron sulfate down just before.

Got plans to get stuff done. Hope all this virus mess clears out!