Soil temp update - 4-21

[LwnmwnMan2]

I was out again this morning, although I didn't get as far as I'd like, dad duties this morning until noon.

Most areas I found were still hovering around that 45 degree mark, meaning the areas in the middle of turf areas, south and west facing turf areas. North and east facing hills / slopes / shaded areas are going to be slightly cooler yet.

I did find some areas along curblines and blacktop that were pushing 48-49 degrees, and at a bank I do in Wyoming, there is a strip of grass about 2' wide, between the drivethrough lane and the building where it was right at 50 degrees. The south facing wall on this bank is comprised of alot of windows as well, so there will be some reflectivity (if that's a word) to add to the warmth of this soil.

Wednesday or Thursday of this week I will start applying my pre-emergents and doing my spring cleanups. The properties I will be doing first are the ones that are factory type places, low "needs" other than to look green, so if I do get some breakthrough of crabgrass later on in the season, it's not real important.

If you're one that would feel more comfortable about getting it down now, I would say soon after this upcoming weekend you could start, unless you're farther north than St. Cloud , then I would wait another week or two, I'm sure some people still have snow on the ground in that area.

Temps are supposed to drop back down again after Wednesday, so it's looking like unless things warm up dramatically in the next 2 days, that my accounts that are more "picky" or demanding, they won't get pre-emergents applied for at least another week.

The wife is off of work tomorrow, so I'll be running more of an extensive temp check Tuesday morning. I just wanted to give everyone an idea of what a 70 degree sunny day will do to the soil temps, how slow / fast it will cause things to warm up.

As for cleanups, it won't be anything too hardcore yet, just running the baggers over the areas with heavy leaves, real light raking, especially if it rains as much as they're forecasting this week.

Good luck!!

[GSB Ice Man]

Thanks for the update

[Reef Runner]

Thanks for all the great info! This might be a little off the topic but this week I plan on pulling a big roller behind the rider. My yard is real bumpy and think this might help. then I plan on using some patch fix to fill in all the Yellow spots created by my dog. How long should I wait after planting to put down my preventer?

[LwnmwnMan2]

You're not going to be able to use the preventer where you use the patch, or you'll be preventing the patch as well. You need to wait until 6-8 weeks to put down seed after putting down preventer.

As far as your roller idea, depending on different areas of the country, some people swear by it, some people swear at it.

Some people will say that it compacts the soil too much, without enough of a gain. If you read the stories of the northeast of the country, you'll find people roll their yards all the time, even as close as eastern WI.

The problem that the people on the other side of the fence argue is, that you're then going to need to aerate the yard, because you've compacted it down, which is somewhat true.

Do you know why your yard is bumpy? Is it from moles / pocket gophers? Is it just rough from install??

I would personally just topdress the yard with black dirt, leaving the fairly high spots and filling in the low spots, then re-seeding. This is usually the route I take on other properties, even though it's quite labor intensive if you don't have the proper tools to use.

[Reef Runner]

Nope no moles or gopher. I think it is just worms. I just wanted to flatten it out a bit. Then I planed on aerating. I only have a spike one and I know that is almost worthless but it gets me out in my yard. Looks like maybe I will wait to fix the patches and put down preventer next week.

[Lured_In]

Hey Reef'r - what type of soil? My last house, I rolled all of my front yard to smooth out due to large areas being filled a few years previous in the spring when the frost was out and soft. Worked great, I did also then aerate int hte fall. I have also heard lime works well for dog urine areas in the lawn.......haven't tried yet but will be in the new place for sure.

[Reef Runner]

Mostly clay.Yep I have also heard of the lime thing. I might have to give it a try. Jack sure did a number on my back yard this year.

I see there is some fun going on the "other sight"

[Lured_In]

Yeah Star did the same to our's! I had mostly clay in Mound also, but rollin the both the clay and other parts did help. And yes, gotta love the drama! lol