10/24/2011 10:10 PM
In order to get the new turf to gain a foothold you need to provide it space to grow and time to mature. Just adding a high rate of Primo won't provide a long enough window. The regulated turf will rebound and crowd out the young turf. Is play going to be suspended for the interseed? If so, go with round up as it'll provide the cheapest removal of undesirable turf. Yes, I know..easier said than done. But using the old formulation takes about 10-14 days to yellow and kill the turf. By then the new turf is up and ready to be mowed for the first time. Something to consider.
Do you have Poa that you'll want to get rid of? Athough not labeled for greens and expensive, I've seen (3-4) 2 oz/A applied at 2 day intervals...then aerate really puts a hurt on the poa and bent. Most of the bent will recover in approx 10 days, but it won't flush like coming out of a pgr. Ugly but effective. Communication is important here. A good catch of young turf will minimalize the injury.
Look into Miltona's dimple tines. I remember they provide a larger dimple for extra growth. And effect approx 17% of the surface.
Aggressively verticut. Blow surface clean. Dimple tine. Seed. Brush. Topdress. Brush. Fertilize and water to 95% saturation, then just keep the surface moist. A heavy first watering greatly improves a quicker, more uniform germination.
Seeding rate needs to be much higher than a new seeding. 2#/1000 at a minimum. Use treated seed.
Keep soil moist, but not wet. In warm temps, bent seed will shatter in 3 days and germinate in 4.
Spray Subdue at day 7-10 no matter what. High seeding rate, weak plants. Disheartening to have damping off reduce your efforts.
Make first mowing at 0.200 at day 10 or so. Lower heights 0.010 after every 3rd mow (mowing every other day).
IMO, a successful 1st interseed will yield approx 25% catch after one year. If the goal is to continue the conversion, additional seed must be added at each aeration. And you might continue to gain 5% each year.
My 2c
Dustin Riley
WI