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2019 Sunset Review

4K views 31 replies 27 participants last post by  Babameca 
#1 ·
We are finally past the winter solstice and spring is just around the corner now that we start to get more sunlight. 2019 was a great year, but a challenging one. Most of us had a very wet spring and then a drought/hot fall. Feeding the lawn in the fall was barely possible. The extra warm months in the fall did help renovations/overseed with more growing time.

As we did in previous years, let's take a minute to type a few sentences (not a dissertation) of what was the biggest lesson you learned this year.
 
#2 ·
I did a renovation this year and managed to drop seeds in early august instead of the more traditional time of mid august. The extra weeks meant more watering to keep the seed moist, but the extra time allowed for a more established lawn by fall. I think it was worth the expense.
 
#4 ·
Striping is even more fun that I thought it would be and really makes the lawn pop.
Mowing low with a manual reel is hard work. New to me Toro Flex 21 for 2020 will be a big help.
Taking a more scientific approach in 2019 yielded better results.
Measure twice when it comes to liquid applications...

While the days getting longer is a great thing, spring is a long time out for me. My last mow was 51 days ago and my first mow for 2020 is a predicted 124 days away.... The halfway point for winter for me is Jan 30th :cry:
 
#5 ·
Attack your POA triv and orchardgrass in steps. One section at a time, and doing a bit every week you can let your KBG fill in.

PGR is strong but must be used carefully... Use fungicides early and consistently, and don't use PGR when the grass is going to seed.
 
#6 ·
Be realistic about your expectations and know your limitations.

Without having a proper irrigation system, I kept my HOC at unrealistic heights this past summer to maintain density at 2.5", since I loved the density at 2", but should have gone to 3", for the dog days of summer.

I pulled back on my biosolids use this year and regretted it. I will be adding more back into my plan for next year (and maybe PGR).

I've seen the results from other TLF members who used FAS, and will be trying foliar apps next year with FeATURE and AS.
 
#7 ·
Just around the corner? Lol. I was thinking the same thing. Yes the sunsets are getting later now by a few seconds a day, but the days themselves are still shortening in many places, and it's still getting colder. Still about 3 months to go before mowing again.

Biggest thing I learned this past year is that grass takes a few years to really mature. But even after it does, it can start to become susceptible to new diseases that it wasn't before (like my 6-year-old stand getting hit hard by rust the last three years).

Also that Poa Triv can take many different-looking forms. I guess there are different varieties of it.
 
#16 ·
Mother Nature wins again. Sept 2018, 11th wettest on history with 10.8" of rain and my $150 in seed was washed away. Sept 2019 set the record for the driest month in Kentucky history. We also had 16 days in the 90's at the same time and I just couldn't keep up with the water. Hoping for a somewhat normal fall overseed in 2020!
 
#17 ·
MassHole said:
Attack your POA triv and orchardgrass in steps. One section at a time, and doing a bit every week you can let your KBG fill in.

PGR is strong but must be used carefully... Use fungicides early and consistently, and don't use PGR when the grass is going to seed.
We are on the edge of a high desert here and I have always kept my lawn over 2 inches or never had a nice enough lawn to even notice fungus issues. But now with going sub 1 inch and taking lawn care up a notch it is apparent that I need to get on the fungicide train. I should have started last year. I definitely had brown spot issues that I didn't want to believe was fungus or had difficulty 100% identifying. I can't wait for spring to start posting pictures.
 
#19 ·
After my first full season after my reno, I learned that it is possible to grow KBG under some pretty dense shade trees, with few takeaways.... Proper seed selection is a must. At present, mazama and bewitched are essential. And even then the lawn will thin a bit in late summer/early fall after the trees have been leafed out for a few months. I am looking forward to seeing how this holds up next season.
 
#21 ·
MassHole said:
Attack your POA triv and orchardgrass in steps. One section at a time, and doing a bit every week you can let your KBG fill in.

PGR is strong but must be used carefully... Use fungicides early and consistently, and don't use PGR when the grass is going to seed.
Can you discuss why no PGR when grass is going to seed? Seedheads?
 
#22 ·
2019 started off great, included PGR into my arsenal and it was a game changer. I had a horrible fall, nearly 8 inches of rain in September near Chicago that led to fungus everywhere while I was under regulation followed by a crummy Oct, snow on Halloween, and cold and grey in November. 2020 will be less input besides PGR and preventative fungicide program.
 
#23 ·
mribbens said:
MassHole said:
Attack your POA triv and orchardgrass in steps. One section at a time, and doing a bit every week you can let your KBG fill in.

PGR is strong but must be used carefully... Use fungicides early and consistently, and don't use PGR when the grass is going to seed.
Can you discuss why no PGR when grass is going to seed? Seedheads?
Correct. The seed heads will stay below the HOC and you'll be stuck with a brownish look for 3+ weeks.
 
#25 ·
Using cheap seed costs more in the long run. Buy high quality seed and don't expect perfection. Aerial drone shots will show ALL of the imperfections in your lawn. Also, the best way I've discovered to kill thistles is a product called Milestone. Worked perfectly on 50 acres of prairie land and my yard.
 
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