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| Hello. I haven't posted in about 6 years. I had lost interest in growing anything but facial hair, but I'm back with the challenge of a new lawn after house construction destroyed the old one. I had a sprinkler system installed a couple of weeks ago, and I decided to challenge myself by attempting a late spring seeding rather than going with sod. I added 5 yards of topsoil to cover about 2,000 sq. ft. area. Soil below wasn't terrible, but it is high in clay (marl). I'm in South/Central NJ.
Anyway, here are 3 pictures of the lawn 10 days after seeding. I seeded with Pennington Tall Fescue Smart Seed mix which includes the following 3 varieties:
http://s1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb400/crystalandglass/Green/ I became concerned when I saw that one variety seemed to be growing too rapidly and too high. It is also a lighter green than the smaller blades. I contacted Pennington today, and someone there thought that what they saw was an annual wheat growing because of the Y shape. She said not to worry since it will die in the summer. But I figure I'd ask you all what you think. I took the two front yard pics since. I may have watered improperly. I set the sprinklers to light water 4 times a day to keep the seeds moist. I am growing some algae as well in spots where the sun don't shine as much and where excessive moisture is an issue. I am interested in organic lawn care and will probably be frequenting that forum most, but I figured the main lawn forum would be the right one in which to post this concern.
Thanks!
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Sorry, here's the link to the pictures. Didn't see the "optional link url" space in the original post. Jeff |
Here is a link that might be useful: Is this wheat? Weed? Fescue?
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- Posted by nearandwest 7 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 11 at 11:13
| Your fescue seeding has come up nicely, but so has the taller weed growth. Those weed seeds could have come in via the topsoil you added. Not to worry right now. I see 2 issues at this point: 1. If you are still watering 4 times daily, I would suggest that you begin to back off the frequency to twice a day (morning and late afternoon), and increase the run times to 15 minutes per station. If the ground can handle 15 minutes per station without surface runoff, then bump run times to 20 minutes. The goal is to water deep and infrequent. If you can get by with reducing frequency to once a day or even every other day, then that is even better. But I doubt that would happpen this time of year. 2. When the seedlings reach 4-5 inches in height, it's time to mow. Mow with a SHARP mower blade at the highest mower setting. Otherwise, if your mower blade is not sharp, you will pull those seedlings out of the ground. On the day you mow, turn off the water so that no water runs until after you mow. Mow in the early afternoon, collect your clippings, fertilize with a starter fertilizer at half rate, water in the fertilizer, and then resume your watering schedule. If you would prefer organic feeding, perhaps Mr. Hall can jump in and offer some words of wisdom. Good luck. |
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| Thanks! Sounds like a great plan. I actually just had my mower blade sharpened. I plan to feed organically, but I think it's become so overrun with weeds that I wonder if I'd be able to at this early stage. I wonder how long it would take to go around pulling the weeds by hand. I just bought a grandpa's weeder type step-on weeding device made by Yard Butler. Is this an all day job, and should I just weed and feed once the grass is established? Then go green later on? Thanks! |
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- Posted by nearandwest 7 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 11 at 12:31
| Yes, you can feed organically at this early stage. Start organic feeding, and stay with organic feeding. Don't worry about pulling the weeds by hand, the hot weather will probably burn them out. But if you want to go out and use your handy dandy step-on weeding device, then by all means have at it! Do not use weed and feed! Worry about weeds next Spring. The fescue seedlings are too young to handle any herbicides this year, especially if you'll be adding more seed this fall. Focus on watering properly, mowing properly, and organic feeding. I'll leave the organic feeding information for dchall to provide, or if you want, you can post an inquiry on the Organic Lawn Forum here on GardenWeb. |
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| Thank you so much for the advice. I'll do as you say. I don't like the idea of applying chemicals if I don't have to. By the way, I have the new lawn roped off and it's been 2 weeks now since the seeding. Can I or others walk on it or should I give it some time? BTW, this reply was rejected until I changed the subject line. I don't understand. |
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- Posted by nearandwest 7 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 11 at 13:08
| Yeah, mine gets rejected ocassionally, but I'm used to rejection :). I would stay off of it if you can until the first mowing. |
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| I don't think you can post twice in a row, that's why you had to change the subject line. Quirky rules here. |
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| It was actually just a regular reply after nearandwest's message. Odd. I'll stay off the grass. Thanks! |
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Sun, Jun 26, 11 at 0:18
| I would walk all over it. Was the seed rolled down with a heavy roller? Once you do that, then walking on it should have no effect. If you did not roll it down, then walking on it should allow the grass to sprout faster in the foot prints. |
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| I did use a roller for most of it, but it started picking up the soil, so I stopped. I did walk on it when I seeded though. I just thought that once it starts to germinate, it becomes fragile until fully grown. |
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- Posted by nearandwest 7 (My Page) on Sun, Jun 26, 11 at 11:02
| I am not in favor of walking on new seedlings. It does not serve any useful purpose for the seedlings, unless there is some activity being performed such as fertilizing, mowing, or spraying. And when one of those maintenance activities is being performed, there should be a slight drying out period prior to the activity. If you've ever tried to walk on an area of seedlings that is wet, you know what I am talking about. |
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Sun, Jun 26, 11 at 14:13
| Hunh! Wasn't expecting sticky soil. Was it moist when you rolled it? Walking on it serves the same purpose of rolling it if the rolling was not done. In this case, it was, so no great reason to walk on it. |
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| It was moist when I seeded. I don't remember why. And there was a slight leak in the roller that I rented. I'm dying to mow it and take care of those towering weeds, but I can wait a little longer. |
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| You can mow it when it hits 3 inches, as recommended by the seed producers. Mow it down to 2 inches. It will promote tillering. |
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