u/ContemplatingYEM

NY/NJ
KBG/TTTF
500 Sq Ft.

I'm specifically asking for feedback on how I'm fertilizing my small lawn. I'd love to dial it in. Due to the size it doesnt take much cost or time. And easy enough to water through the summer. I'm actually quite confused tbh

As I side note, the attached is a before and after. A few weeks apart. All it too was 2 days of straight rain in my clay soil shitty Brooklyn soil to get disease. I'm addressing that. Whole lawn is looks like that now lol

Goal
4lbs of N/1,000
Optimize lawn - duh -

Questions

1. Currently have nothing scheduled for October but can't remember why. Especially if Fall is supposed to be the biggest push?

2. Curious about my next application for July. I had severe fungal disease and its looking a little rough right now so thinking maybe extra N would be good for now. Note: I did try a half rate of PGR literally right before I was hit by all the fungal disease so its def not outgrowing it fast or at all..yet...perfect timing :)

3. Flagship seems fine, doesnt push insane growth, feels moderate to generic things like Scotts. Open to other suggestions.

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April
24-0-6 (Flagship, full label rate .27lbs N)

May
24-0-6 (Flagship, reduced rate .19lbs N)

June
24-0-6 (Flagship, full label rate .27lbs N)

July
Not sure what to do here, maybe it should be a stress blend (ie. 7-0-20) or maybe i can just keep using flagship since thats what I have on hand (.05N)

August
n/a - anything?

September
I'll be fixing spots so I guess i should buy a starter or maybe just use the flagship i have. (.27lbs N)

October
n/a

November
Flagship or some kind of "winterizer" blend

_______

all adds up to about 4lbs/1,000 sq ft which is ideal for KBG. So I'm not tracking how some people have told me to just apply 3 times a year. I'm doing at least 6. yikes.

Any thoughts or resources is appreciated. I see lots of suggestions all over but I get a bit lost when actually trying to map out the year.

I have a 40v 17" mower. At my highest setting (as pictured ) my grass is measuring around 3 inches. Is that really high as it goes. Was hoping to do closer to 4" for my KBG in the summer.

Should I be able to lock in higher? And if not, is there anyway to get it higher by means of bigger wheels or whatever.

Appreciate any thoughts!

Brooklyn.

KBG and TF

Small lawn 400 sq ft.

Before and after pics attached.

Sodded my small KBG/tall fescue lawn last spring over hard clay soil in NYC. It established beautifully and came back great this spring, but I’ve always suspected the roots were shallower than they looked.

Before this, I noticed in some areas if you tugged lightly on the grass, it felt a little loose and not fully anchored, while other areas felt super dense and carpet-like.

This Mother’s Day we had a big party with 8 kids running circles on the lawn for hours, and now I’m seeing major die-off/browning in some sections.

Does this sound like shallow rooting + compaction from traffic on clay soil? Or could something else be going on?

My current plan is to core aerate in the fall, topdress with compost and sand for leveling, and overseed weak areas. Anything I should be doing now besides deep watering and staying off it?

Anxious to bring this lawn back to life!!