Kentucky Bluegrass Questions - Central Indiana
Wil Haines
5 years ago
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Wil Haines
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Rust on Kentucky Blugrass question
Comments (8)Good pictures. The reason your soil is hydrophobic (does not absorb water readily) is because you use Mancozeb and Banner Max on it repeatedly. Good soil needs healthy fungi and you're killing them every time you treat for rust. If you are going to treat the rust with chemicals, you should come back as soon as the rust goes away and treat the entire yard with compost at a rate of 1 cubic yard per 1,000 square feet. The compost has all the beneficial fungi and bacteria that healthy soil needs. That should restore your soil so that it absorbs water again. It might even cure you of rust next year. Do you normally use fungicides later on in the season? If so be sure to follow up with compost at the same rate. That rate should look like a light dusting. That is only 1/3 of an inch so ALL the grass should be visible after you apply. I sweep it in with a push broom to get it off the grass blades. Down in Brazil researchers found that rust and red thread could be treated with ordinary milk. Spray it on at 3 ounces per 1,000 square feet. Usually they dilute it in water to get that. If you use an Ortho sprayer, set it to 3 ounces per gallon and fill it with milk. It takes about 3 weeks but that usually gets it without damaging the other fungi in the soil. In fact milk is an organic fertilizer, but I don't know anyone using it routinely. I used it on African violets for awhile....See MoreKentucky Bluegrass... organic
Comments (4)Are you our new neighbor?! DH & I moved to the same area in '99 from the valley near Portland. I can't give advice on seed type or ground prep as we put in Lower Valley Turf sod the same year we moved here. Others with more experience and knowledge may be able to help with that. I always thought, too, that the soil here was like living at the beach without the ocean until I ordered a soil test. I used Logan Labs but there are other options. Our soil is very high in magnesium and is slightly heavy. We have to address compaction on some areas that get heavy foot traffic. Get a soil test so you can plan for any amendments needed before or after you plant or sod. I can advise on sources in the area (Redmond, Bend) for organics (grains), urea for winterizing, and phosphorus or gypsum if needed per your report. The cheatgrass is a problem. We have been pulling it out in the fields around the house for years. Every year there is less so you have to keep at it. Gardening in Central Oregon is a challenge and much different than in the valley, but with irrigation you should do fine. This last year with the heavy snow we had a lot of lawn damage with deer digging, voles tunneling, and snow mold. The bluegrass does fill in over time (the sod is a northern mix). We have small patches of annual bluegrass to deal with, occasional fungus issues, and are always tinkering with the sprinklers to keep everything evenly irrigated but we still get compliments on the lawn. You'd be surprised what can grow here, even a nice vegetable garden as long as you have a high fence and some frost protection. Please don't burn now! There is a red flag warning. "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly." Good luck!...See MoreKentucky Blue Grass Checklist - Central Indiana
Comments (2)Because KBG seed is so small, it can usually be raked into the soil without covering. Some of it will be exposed, but a lot of it will lie just below the surface- after raking. Starter fertilizer is a good idea, - but don't use one that has massive amounts of phosphate - especially if your soil test indicates sufficient phosphorus in the soil....See MoreKentucky Bluegrass Questions - Central Indiana
Comments (3)Not mowing isn't a problem, the grass is adjusting and growing in. If you don't mow this year yet, there's no issue. It's really late to seed KBG as your normal frost date is coming up fast. You can try, but I don't expect that sprout percentages will be that great and winter survivability even worse. What you can do is wait for winter, just before a good snowfall, and seed then. Dormant seeding is a distant second best to fall seeding, but the seed will sprout the first instant it can in spring and has the best chance of making it through the summer of any of the not-optimal seedings....See Moremishmosh
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agodchall_san_antonio
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoUser
5 years agoWil Haines
5 years agodanielj_2009
5 years agoWil Haines
5 years ago
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