Too early?

[BostonBull]

is it too early to take advantage of the March rains in my area? I would like to put down some Compost and seed soon.....but don't want to waste money and time either.

[Kiril]

is it too early to take advantage of the March rains in my area?

Probably .... what are your current soil temps and turf type?

[BostonBull]

Soil temps are top 1' low 40's. past that is mid 30's i would say.

Turf type......species? Rye/Fescue/KB. I hope thats what you meant?

[Kiril]

For all 3 the minimum I would even consider is 8 C (46.4 F) and chances are at that temp you will not see much germination. You would be better off waiting until the soil temps reach around 12 C (53.6 F) in order to maximize your % germination.

[Smallaxe]

As long as the ground isn't frozen, why would the temperature make a difference?
I would think the sooner the better. Right now the rain could be pounding the stuff down into the soil.

[dishboy]

For all 3 the minimum I would even consider is 8 C (46.4 F) and chances are at that temp you will not see much germination. You would be better off waiting until the soil temps reach around 12 C (53.6 F) in order to maximize your % germination.

I always have good results at 53.2F:laugh:

[BostonBull]

Wait on the seed, but would it hurt to put down grub control, lime, and compost? I can always add more compost in a month when I core aerate, and seed right?

[Smallaxe]

I always have good results at 53.2F:laugh:

But remember - it has to be warmer in the shade... :laugh:

[Kiril]

As long as the ground isn't frozen, why would the temperature make a difference?

Surely you are not serious?

@dishboy

Always the wiseass heh? How about you see what a 12 C -> F conversion yields.

[Kiril]

Wait on the seed, but would it hurt to put down grub control, lime, and compost? I can always add more compost in a month when I core aerate, and seed right?

Compost. yes .... lime ... only if a need really exists .... grub control .... what type?

[BostonBull]

Compost. yes .... lime ... only if a need really exists .... grub control .... what type?


Soil test results show my lime WAY down. Ill probably only put down 100lbs over my 3500 sq/ft. i am sure the compost will help too, and i will be putting down a round of biopack.

not sure what type......skunks like them though!

Or do you mean what kind of grub control? synthetic.....

is there a natural way?

[Kiril]

Soil test results show my lime WAY down. Ill probably only put down 100lbs over my 3500 sq/ft. i am sure the compost will help too, and i will be putting down a round of biopack.

Recommendations are not hard fast rules. You need to assess the entire report results along with your management program to determine if the need really exists.

Or do you mean what kind of grub control? synthetic.....

Don't you think it is a little early for that?

http://www.pestproducts.com/whitegrubs.htm#control

is there a natural way?

Milky Spore (Bacillus popilliae) and Nematodes

Compost does a soil good!

[BostonBull]

Recommendations are not hard fast rules. You need to assess the entire report results along with your management program to determine if the need really exists.



Don't you think it is a little early for that?

http://www.pestproducts.com/whitegrubs.htm#control



Milky Spore (Bacillus popilliae) and Nematodes

Compost does a soil good!


If i was that good at soil biology I would be Kiril. I am not, so I ask Kiril.

I am going to have another soil test done soon. ill post the results, recommendations, and see what you guys all think. its been 2 years since my last one.....

[NattyLawn]

Putting down synthetic grub control down in the Spring does no good. It won't affect the grubs from last year as they are too far along in their life cycle and the residual will be gone by the time they beetles start laying their eggs. Shoot for mid-June to mid-July. We usually start seeing the beetles around July 4th.

For lime, 50lbs per year is usually the max, but I would post your soil analysis results. I agree with what Kiril posted. A lot of people around here get Penn State (the local ag extension) to do their testing, and I cringe every time a customer breaks one out. Regardless of the pH, they always recommend 50lbs of lime per k. pH at 6.8? 50lbs of lime! I really like A&L Labs for testing.

[BostonBull]

Putting down synthetic grub control down in the Spring does no good. It won't affect the grubs from last year as they are too far along in their life cycle and the residual will be gone by the time they beetles start laying their eggs. Shoot for mid-June to mid-July. We usually start seeing the beetles around July 4th.

For lime, 50lbs per year is usually the max, but I would post your soil analysis results. I agree with what Kiril posted. A lot of people around here get Penn State (the local ag extension) to do their testing, and I cringe every time a customer breaks one out. Regardless of the pH, they always recommend 50lbs of lime per k. pH at 6.8? 50lbs of lime! I really like A&L Labs for testing.

I am in New England, not PA. New England is notorious for having acidic soil. My ph was in the 4's!!! They recommended 80lbs/1000 sq ft. I am good with 100lbs/3500sq ft. I know the compost will help as well.

I use Umass Amherst (http://www.umass.edu/soiltest/list_of_services.htm) for my soil testing. I usually get the $13 test, but am willing to spend more if that will gain me a better long term plan?

[NattyLawn]

Oh, so we don't have acidic soil here in PA?

Anyway, I read that wrong. I thought it was 100lbs per k.

[BostonBull]

Oh, so we don't have acidic soil here in PA?

Anyway, I read that wrong. I thought it was 100lbs per k.


not saying that. NE is notorious for acidic soil, and the never ending need for lime.

[ICT Bill]

not saying that. NE is notorious for acidic soil, and the never ending need for lime.

Put the lime in the compost pile during the process and apply the compost to the site

Then send a sample to whoever, tell me the results after