9/18/2013 10:09 AM
Steve,
We have been performing the liquid overseeding program here in Ocala for the past two years on both 419 and TifSport fairways. We have had such good results from it that we probably won't ever overseed again. Here is our program, applied every other week starting last week of October:
Pigment at 20ozs/ac
28-0-0 30% CRN at 2gal/ac
12-0-0 3% Fe, 2%Mn, 1%Mg
We have also mixed in all kinds of other stuff like insecticides(imidacloparid/bifenthrin), herbicides(MSM, Monument), amino acids, pre-emergents, stickers and penetrants.
IMO, the addition of the amino acids(we used the L18 Aminos from Tampa bay Turf) really made the products jump. A deep dark green.
There are some other practices you also need to perform for best results. Raise HOC up by 1/3 about the first of October. Spray 3-9 to avoid seeing skips, streaks and overlaps from the tee. Outline perimeter with just middle boom, and fill in from there. We use flat fans, applying 40 GPA. Strip up fairways now. Burn those lines in. We go 6-12 as this is the most dramatic from the tee. Apply a granular late season to give the turf one last push. Remember to keep your K up with that app.
This photo was in March after 12 sprays. We had a good frost the week prior to this photo, and about 11 up to that point with the lowest recorded temp in the low 20's. If it can work up here, you should have no problem.
[img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/18OOclose_zpsda2158ca.jpg[/img">
We also have played around with all kinds of different pigment products. Here is a photo of a trial we did last year on our driving range. As you can see, no two pigments are alike.
[img">http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/andyjorg/Pigmenttrialday17overheadshot_zps64c7ae91.jpg[/img">
FYI - Todd Lowe is hoping to have an article published here soon outlining the program. Keep an eye out for the USGA Green Section record emails for the article.