Fall renovation (ok, ok... really just a brag post)

4 years ago

For several years after building a new home, I struggled with my lawn. I did what I could with what I had, but with no irrigation system on a south facing lawn, I just couldn't keep it going through the summer and was always left feeling defeated. A few months ago I decided I couldn't take it anymore - I had irrigation installed and went full steam ahead to reclaim my rightful spot as the lawn king of the neighborhood.

When I started the renovation, I did have a little bit of decent grass, so rather than torching everything with Round Up, I opted to only attack the weeds with an aggressively mixed tank of Tenacity and followed that up with some Weed B Gon for good measure. To finish the prep I scalped the lawn and hit it hard with a Sun Joe scarifier/dethatcher. I then spread the seed (Jonathan Green Black Beauty) and starter fertilizer (OceanGro), raked it in, and set my shiny new sprinklers to run for 10 minutes per zone, 3 times per day.

I can’t believe how quickly it came to life. In just a few short weeks the existing grass was healthier than it’s ever been and the new seed was really coming to life. Six weeks after that, it was looking like a lawn that’s been there for years. It’s still going strong and I often receive compliments from friends and neighbors. I love that people are asking me for lawn care tips again – that’s the ultimate compliment in my book.

Side note: I have to say I’m very impressed with the Black Beauty seed. On my previous lawn I selected a very specific blend of cultivars. I didn’t want to spend that kind of money on seed anymore, so I researched off-the-shelf options and settled on Black Beauty. As long as it performs through the summer, Jonathan Green have themselves a new loyal customer right here. It is lush, soft, and has great color.

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morpheuspa (6B/7A, E. PA)

4 years ago

Brag, please, it looks great!

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Comments (12)

mishmosh2000
4 years ago
Love it! Kudos.
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Joe BigBlue
4 years ago
Nice!
port2015
4 years ago
Looks great.

I used Jonathan Green's seed a couple of years ago (Black Beauty Ultra)
and found it too be a really fine product. I recommend it highly.
timtsb
Original Author
4 years ago
Glad to know you’re still happy with it. I looked at Ultra but went with Original as I didn’t want the KBG. I’ve had good luck with TTTF lawns in the past so I wanted to stick with that
port2015
4 years ago
timtsb,

Have you used any of their fertilizers/lawn products?

I use the Mag-i-cal (once annually), Green-up (1st application Memorial Day) and the Winter Survival (Thanksgiving) with good results. Along with Milorganite throughout the growing season (June, August, September).

What's your maintenance plan if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks
The Average Lawn Guy
4 years ago
Looks good
timtsb
Original Author
4 years ago
As far as feeding, my maintenance plan is very simple (maybe too simple?) - OceanGro (my local version of Milorganite) all year, finishing with a synthetic winterizer. Plus whatever Morpheus tells me to do after reading my Logan Labs soil test. This fall I’ve been applying Potassium Sulfate which will continue into spring.

I’ve used the Winter Survival but am not brand loyal with synthetics, so it varies year to year which one I actually use.

I’ve used Mag-I-cal, but only when soil tests indicated it was needed.

Other than that I just use a variety of pre and post emergents for weeds control.
morpheuspa (6B/7A, E. PA)
4 years ago
There's no such thing as too simple if that's all your plan calls for. :-)
Will M65(SE,PA 7A)
4 years ago
Nice turf!

What varieties of seed are in the JG Original? I have some overseeding to do in the Spring (early March)and considering tttf with maybe 10-15% bluegrass added in mixture. I can get the JG Ultra for $2.48lb and the Original for $3 lb.

Also thought about grabbing a 50lb bag of Regenerate TTTF($2.90lb) and adding in some Mid-night or Bewitched Blue Grass, but that JG looks pretty darn good.

Will
timtsb
Original Author
4 years ago
I have a bag of both Original and Ultra. Here are the mixes. JG does not post it on their website so I imagine they vary either yearly and/or regionally. Sounds like Ultra would be a great option for you
Will M65(SE,PA 7A)
4 years ago
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'm sure JG varies their blends but wanted an idea of cultivars that they might use. I'll probably have to overseed twice as spring time isn't the best time to sow tall fescue, but I have some bare spots due to recently killing off some ground ivy.

So, I'll seed in spring and again in fall.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Will