I put a chicken compost on my front yard in a light application over the seed so when wet it would retain moisture.
I had lunch today and a lesson on seeds, fertilizer, lime, and planting. It was eye opening to say the least. Guy travels the eastern USA for a large distributor who is the expert for the big box stores and turf companies. I have been wasting a lot of money and time. The main thing I learned is more is not better. Here is some high lites:
1. You CAN put too much seed out. More seed can be detrimental to seeding and over seeding due to competing for nutrients. This is the reason for recommended amounts for germination. He said as Americans we always assume more means better. Not so.
2. Lime is huge. Cheap lime would take an enormous amount per acre. Best to use fast acting lime in hundreds of pounds less of the amount. PH 6.8 to 9 will cooperate. Clay acidity is great for weeds but not for turf.
3. Fertilize only when needed but less is better during germination. The three numbers do different things depending on what you are trying to achieve. Root growth is most desirable over a lovely sprouting greenery.
4. Grass dormant state is normal so don’t try to wake up grass in winter. Waste of money and resources. Work on root growth only.
5. Milorganite produces huge success and repels animals such a squirrels, chipmunks, and deer. They don’t like it. Not recommended during winter because it affects dormancy but can be used 365.
6. If you use a herbicide such as Tenacity you need to add surfactant. Can be bought or use dish detergent. If you want to to really fool weeds then add a plant food like Miracle Grow liquid. Leave the plant uncut. The weeds are tricked into wanting the food and absorb the herbicide better. The surfactant affects surface tension on plants.
7. Something I always did. I would mix Round Up much stronger. Not necessary. Kill is kill. There is no benefit what so ever.
8. Best germination and maintenance herbicide- Tenacity. Very expensive but used in small quantity. 8 ozs is $85. Can be used while establishing the lawn and hinders weeds which compete for food.
9. Mow pattern should be changed often. Especially if on a rider.
10. Is soil samples super important? Not necessarily. Brown spots- lime. Kill off- lime. Bare areas- lime.
11. Construction yards are hard to establish. The good dirt has been removed. There are no nutrients in the under layers. Add good soil before planting and mix or fight it forever.
12. Plugging- I’ve done it all in reverse according to him. Lime, food, seed. Then plug with a core machine.
13. 1/4- 1/2 is the best seed depth. Never more. Laying on top- wasted money for germination percentage. Will just die off.
14. Milorganite made from beer byproducts is the bomb.
15. Moisture of soil is important for germination. A seed contains everything it needs to get started if the PH is good. Moisture is the wake up call. But never during frost or freeze. 53 degrees ground, 70’s days is ideal.
16. Perennial rye fine, annual not good. Perennial is very expensive. Annual cheap.
17. He recommended creeping red fescue mix. More the better.
Overload I know but there was more.