Each year it seems like overseed marks the sign of cooler temperatures in the Southern States. Overseeding sets the stage for a beautiful fall and winter. Of course since overseeding is a high priority project for many in the fall, it can bring many challenges beyond seed procurement and costs. It also can bring weed and disease pressure that can compromise your winter conditions.
Weed control
Timing is everything when you are trying to keep winter weeds from contaminating your contrasting dormant turf areas. Normal practice is to make post and pre-emergent applications in these dormant areas to keep them clean and pristine. A mis-calculated application could cause injury, delayed green up or even death during the spring transition.
After Dormancy Has Taken Place
1st Option –
Tank mix Negate 37WG with Prodiamine 4L or Oxadiazon SC in the dormant areas to knock out emerged weeds and to prevent weeds from germinating.
2nd Option –
Tank mix Glyphosate Plus with Prodiamine 4L or Oxadiazon SC to knock out emerged weeds as well as prevent weeds from germinating.
Disease Control
Overseed almost always takes place in less than desirable cool season turfgrass temperature ranges. Since the overseed timing window is more necessary than ideal, it needs a lot of watering with little time to dry in hot daytime and nighttime temperatures. This is a perfect environment for Pythium to prey on young seedlings.
During and After Overseeding
1st application at overseed with Strobe Pro G. A granular product will help prevent disease as the seed germinates and the water goes down.
2nd application at first mowing (about 10days after seeding) with Gateway. Gateway is designed to work well on damping off (root rot pythium) which is the culprit as seedlings mature and the soil has a lot of free water to help the pathogen move.
3rd application if a rotational follow up is required would be Mefenoxam 2AQ 7-14days after the last application and depending on disease pressure in your situation.
Conclusions
Quali-Pro products can help you produce a successful overseed by managing your stresses with invasive weeds and devastating diseases. Planning ahead and being prepared for what Mother Nature will bring is the most important project of overseeding. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your local Quali-Pro Area Manager.
