terps02,

If my experience is any guide, that is normal. In my front yard, which I renovated in Fall of 2005, I didn't have to mow the lawn until late may of 2006.

I had the same issue. Grass looked green, but it was more like a putting green, as far as height. Even with my reel mower, I couldn't get low enough to cut it. lol

The clumps are nomal, too. I renovated the last half of my backyard this past fall and only about half of it is tall enough to get cut. Other sections are growing.

This is your first year. Just hang in there. Fertilize it appropriately and make sure it isn't thirsty. Your lawn will respond when conditions are right and it is ready.

I'm no expert, having just renovated for the first time last September myself. But I think if the grass is green, you're golden. Just deal with the weeds in whatever way suits your preferences. If your grass is green it is alive, and will grow.

turf_toes,
Thanks. It's good to hear someone else has had a similar experience.

The putting green analogy is a good one. That's my biggest problem now...imagine a bunch of grassy weeds 6"+ tall growing on a putting green...not a pretty site.

Thanks.

I'm having the identical experience here as well. I started my renovation in August, so I had time for a few mows before fall, but large sections are still in the putting green category.

As of right now, sections are finally starting to pop, but the weeds are taller. I'm mowing to control those, but not worrying about whether the grass is being cut or not (for the most part, not).

One or two sections aren't completely back yet. I imagine it'll take a bit more time as they are greening up, just slowly.

I'm feeding the heck out of it organically. At this point, I've dropped Milorganite, soybean meal, kelp meal, and alfalfa for a grand total so far of 67 pounds per thousand square feet.

Note: my soil's so poor that extra nutrients disappear into it and go into storage. I don't recommend trying this if you had a decent lawn before.

Sounds like were all in the same boat. New lawn is green and low, weeds are tall and getting taller. I was able to mow a few times last Fall, but was hoping to do a couple of more before spraying some Weed B Gone.

Glad someone else brought this up. Im experiencing the same thing with my Mag3 renovation. I was out today with a soil test kit trying to figure out if it was a nutreint defiancy or not.
I'll keep feeding it... keep mowing the weeds down so they dont crowd out the grass...soon I'll be able to get on it with some weedbgone.
Tell you what though...the areas that are up and growing look awesome already...and it stayed a decent green the whole winter.

I called John to ask him about it. I was wondering if it is normal that these newer KBG varieties just don't take off in the first year or so. He confirmed that but also pointed out a couple other things. One was to remind us that they are compact, meaning slower/lower growing cultivars. Another thing is soil temps, in that these grasses aren't going to produce much top growth until temps are more favorable. This has been a relatively cold spring by comparison, and some areas still experience snowfall.

I agree about the color. If you have good color, you have good grass. No need to worry.

I'm glad someone brought this issue up because I'm having the same issue. Soil tests show everything is fine. Good to know I'm not the only one. I am also holding off on the Weed B Gone since I haven't mowed three times since seeding.

Wow, I am not the only one with this issue!!!!! I too am dealing with the weeds out growing my grass :) Probably about 60% of my grass needs mowed and the rest doesn't. I keep telling myself to be patient, but it is really really really really hard !!!!

I also have the same "problem." I put down midnight, midnight 2, award and bedazzled last fall. The grass is green and the weeds are taller because there has been no top growth. It looks like a golf fairway with a bunch of weeds sprinkled in. I think the low temps must be consistently over 40 for a good month to start getting growth

People, fertilize your lawns 5 to 6 lbs per 1,000 square feet the first year, the 3 to 4 the next, then organic if possible the third.

As far as weeds, go ahead and put down 2,4 D, no need to wait any longer. And don't worry, your "unmowed" KBG is not going to dye because it has not been mowed 3 times - trust me, I know.

Nearly the entire country is now very warm with the exception of the Pacific N.W. Buffalo, NY was 87 degrees F. yesterday...

Scotts 30-3-4 with Pre-emergent, or similar Lesco should be apply now. If you live close to a Howard Johnson dealer, then get their stuff. It's professional grade for golf courses around the US, top notch.

I hope this helps.

this is just my guess and am no expert on lawns...is it possible that the seeds you got aren't sod quality? or do weeds grow when soil is empty?

or do weeds grow when soil is empty?

Bingo. They need soil, water, and sun, so if there's an empty spot they're getting all three.

Seeds blow in, hang out sometimes for decades just waiting, and then grow when they can.

Also a relief to hear I'm not alone. While I had a feeling this was fairly normal, the comments from the wife and good-humored neighbor were starting to make me wonder.

I think we need to get a 2007 renovation revisit thread going with pictures.

Rob

is it possible that the seeds you got aren't sod quality?

That is very likely if you don't ask for sod quality seeds.
If you do ask, then sod quality is what you are supposed to receive.

I've had KBG since spring 2005 and it really takes at least 2 years for KBG to get well established. It doesnt grow very well the first year and I had to reseed couple times in order to get a nice even cover. Its a real nightmare when you first seed it as KBG has a really long germination rate and it doesnt get better for a while. Now 3 years later it looks nice but KBG really needs time to establish at least thats what I learned. Just give it time as hard as that might be just let it go :)

Quick question about the 5-6lbs fert. per 1000sq.ft. first year...
That is 5-6 lbs of straight N correct...not including the P, and K? If I use something like turfbuilder how many lbs of actual N am I putting down? Hope the question makes sense..

Quick question about the 5-6lbs fert. per 1000sq.ft. first year...
That is 5-6 lbs of straight N correct...not including the P, and K? If I use something like turfbuilder how many lbs of actual N am I putting down? Hope the question makes sense..

Yes we are talking about just the nitrogen. No matter what product you use, apply 1 lb of Nit max per 1000 sq ft. per application.

So for example, if you where going to use a TurfBuilder with a 30 as the first number on the bag, you would use roughly 3.3 lbs of product per 1000 sq ft. of area that you were going to fertilize.

In the real hot months (July and August), when you really should not be using a synthetic fertilizer, you may want to consider using organic. It won't burn your lawn. If you do use synthetic, you can just cut back on the amount, maybe 1/2 lb per 1000 sq ft, and make sure you water it in good.

Hope this helps!!

I have two sides of my driveway, the side that is angled a slight bit to the North looks like you've described. I weed hounded for half a day and decided to use Weed B Gone. Now I've got yellowing weeds and grass that is finally starting to grow, but it is patchy (although green). I did a Mag3 renovation somewhat late last year. I'd say 70% of my grass didn't cut cut in the fall.

We've had decent weather the past 2 weeks and I'm watering every 4 days (haven't had much rain of late) until the grass is a uniform height. I'm mowing the shorter grass at 2" and the higher grass at 2.5". I'll raise the deck when the grass is at a uniform height (probably in 2-3 weeks). I'm mowing every 3-4 days.

Does everyone agree with what Auteck said,

"As far as weeds, go ahead and put down 2,4 D, no need to wait any longer. And don't worry, your "unmowed" KBG is not going to dye because it has not been mowed 3 times - trust me, I know."

Makes sense to me. I mean, the grass is established and starting to grow. For those of us with "putting greens" in sections, is it safe to use Weed B Gone?

For those of us with "putting greens" in sections, is it safe to use Weed B Gone?

Well, I did and had no losses. That particular section established in late September so it only had about 30 days to grow before temperatures dropped.

I want to know more as well.

I drove around (we had a great week last week) and everyone's grass is really looking stellar. Mine is still kidn of yellow, except for a few small very green patches.

All the forsythia is blooming as well. For fear of crabgrass, I went ahead yesterday and spread the Scotts plus Halts on my whole lawn and did a quick 5- minute per zone dampening.

I don't see myself mowing at all for at least 2-3 weeks. Some around me have already mowed once.

I'm assuming this is just becuase it's a brand new lawn? I'm hoping the fertilizer will help out. I also put down another 160 pounds of lime in the front yard (~9000 sq ft).

No turf injuries from my applications of 2,4D. Looks 10x better this AM after a few days in the 70s for the 2,4D to work.

Not perfect...not ready for the yard of the month award but she looks damn good considering it was 1/2" tall hay 8 months ago!

Rob

My front renovation from last year is exhibiting the same behavior. It greened up over the last week, but has not had any top growth yet. I hit the lawn with 16PP1ksqft of Milargonite Sunday and watered overnight.

So this morning, most areas are really greening up, but still no top growth. Plenty of weeds are growing though.

I'll hit them with weedBGone when the Milargonite kicks in.

No big deal...

And yes I have Award, P-105, and Bedazzled out front, all sod quality.

Egghead, since your up in my neck of the woods, any photos?

Thanks for the help eastpenna. Think I will do another drop this weekend, wait 2 weeks or so then hit it with the 2,4D.

Milorganite is not going to work right away, organic fertilizers are notorious for this delay; not much you can do about. I use Milorganite in the summer when mother nature provides rainfall, otherwise, synthetic.

Synthetic fertilizers work even during the winter months, they keep cool season grasses from going fully dormant and turning straw color. If you live in a city/town where the soil does not freeze during the winter, the roots of the grass will continue to grow even though top growth has stopped.

Contrary to what most people believe, organic fertilizers do burn grass as well if over applied. I'm not against organic fertilizers, I"m just pointing out their short comings so people can make an informed decisions.

terps02,

I did mag3 last fall (late Aug) and I have some patches that are low, but overall I'm getting good growth - uneven, but good growth. Unlike you, I got in 2 - 3 mows last year. Only my late reseeds didn't get mowed at all and those are the main spots that are still low and the most weeds. Some sections have yet to be cut because I keep increasing the mower height. I started the season at 2.5", next mow was around 2.875, and the upcoming mow will be 3.25" or whatever the next notch on mower is. I do have lots of weeds throughout, but when I look closely in those weeds, I see lots of stems of bluegrass ready to take off. The late reseeds are really taken over with weeds, but I think once the mag3 decides to grow, that scenario will change

Hopefully, poa trivialis is not rearing its ugly head in your lawn. I have some patches that I'm dealing with, but overall not too bad.

Overall, I think you should see a turnaround in your lawn during the next few weeks with consistent spring temps in the MD area . Until last week, the temps here were a roller coaster which has not helped. Overall, I am quite pleased with the renovation. In most areas it is thicker than my fescue lawn ever was.

As others have said, be sure to feed it plenty of nitrogen. I have dropped over 450 lbs. of soybean meal this spring in 3 applications. My yard is a shade under 10K sq. ft.

My color has been pretty good so far. I was able to retain some green all winter long (faded green by mid-January) and I greened up nicely so far this spring. The rains from this past weekend should help give you some growth. Hang in there.

parafly,
I'll start a new thread, Don't want to hijack this one.
I just took pics for the first time this year last night.