Rotary Scissors Attachment (option 1)
https://amzn.to/3sCX0jX

Rotary Scissors Attachment (option 2… featured)
https://amzn.to/45zxpan

Gear Box Grease (For Rotary Scissors)
https://amzn.to/3QZf6a0
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DIY SILICON CARBIDE SHARPENING COMPOUND (aka: lapping paste, backslapping compound, reel mower sharpening paste):

Water Soluble Base:
(1 Gallon Anchorlube) https://amzn.to/45M1T8T
** Mix in small batches with any grit… pint paint cans work well to store each grit
** This allows premium silicon carbide grit to be used rather than soft/dull aluminum oxide

1 pint paint can (plastic 4-pack… non-corroding):
https://amzn.to/3qSJ98R

80 grit silicon carbide media
(2 pounds) https://amzn.to/3L3m2iS
(5 pounds) https://amzn.to/3YYq7e0

120 grit silicon carbide media
(5 pounds) https://amzn.to/3Ei7Nmk

180 grit silicon carbide media
(2 pounds) https://amzn.to/3YTQK3E
(5 pounds) https://amzn.to/3qQka62

500 grit silicon carbide media
(5 pounds) https://amzn.to/3PgZZHT
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Customizable Evapotranspiration Map (USA ONLY):

https://digital.weather.gov/?zoom=3&l...

** Tip: zoom into your exact area and click “Create a bookmarkable URL” to customize the resource to your area.


** How to Water Per Evapotranspiration **

Step 1) measure water in each zone… flat bottomed cake pans or tuna cans work great to get irrigation rate

[FOR HOSE WATERING: time a bucket being filled… 1” of water per 1000’ would be 144,000 cubic inches and there are 231 cubic inches per gallon or around 1200 cubic inches per 5 gallon bucket]

Step 2) convert irrigation rate to inches per minute

Step 3) open the evapotranspiration map, zoom into your area, click “Creat a bookmarkable URL” below the map on the left. Bookmark the newly generated web address. Evapotranspiration (evaporation + transpiration… aka: water loss) changes based on temp, humidity, wind, cloud cover, etc… this needs to be referenced regularly. The more regularly the better.

Step 4) do the math… you should try to never be watering beyond about 80-90% ET except for with sod possibly… 60-70% is also can be enough water in some areas. Less water = less disease pressure and usually more soil air. More water equals less drought stress and often less soil air.

Using 1.5” of weekly ET as an example…

Watering at 80% ET every 3 days…
1.5 x .8 x 3 / 7 = .51” per watering

Watering at 70% ET every 3 days…
1.5 x .7 x 3 / 7 = .45” per watering

Watering at 80% ET every 4 days…
1.5 x .8 x 4 / 7 = .69” per watering

Watering at 70% ET every 4 days…
1.5 x .7 x 4 / 7 = .60” per watering
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Advanced watering tips:

ON HILLS - take 30-60minute breaks to allow percolation o and/or us a wetting agent like Vivax if needed for more even water distribution

DISEASE OR DROUGHT STRESS?? TOO MUCH WATER OR NOT ENOUGH WATER CAUSING THE BROWN?? Rule of thumb… if the brown areas start near shade or where wind is blocked the brown is probably from improper watering or too much water (disease)… if the brown starts in areas of more wind or more sun that is most likely drought stress/dormancy from not enough water

Watering deep minimizes evaporation. Watering too deep can loose water to leaching or contribute to disease pressure.

WATERING MID-DAY - very inefficient due to excess evaporation… it does not “burn the grass” but a ton of water is wasted to evaporation

END OF DAY WATERING - maximizes disease pressure (especially when night temps are over 60°)… pay attention to who’s lawns are full of disease and make a mental note what time of day they water and how often they water… you don’t want to be one of those ugly lawns!

note: some sports applications will water at night due to traffic/compaction considerations or ball roll… water + traffic = compaction.

WHEN NOTABLE RAIN FALLS - turn that irrigation off! Watering beyond 100% ET is terrible for soil oxygen.

Speaking of soil oxygen… try to stay off of the lawn for 24H after water… water + traffic = compaction.

DRY DOWN DAYS - these draw fresh air into the soil… water pushes old air out of the soil which improves soil oxygen… not many good things happen in anaerobic conditions. Dry down days = better color and better health.

IN AREAS OF THE LAWN WITH MORE SHADE OR LESS WIND - water less (slower drying rate… example: near fences)

IN AREAS OF DIRECT SUN OR WIND FUNNELS - water more (faster drying)

EARLY AM WATER - maximizes efficiency (less evaporation) & minimizes disease pressure… the window of 4AM-8AM is ideal.


DISCLAIMER: Some links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting the Ask Me Anything Lawn Care YouTube channel.