'Thermal Blue' Bluegrass Installation: A Photo Case Study

Rare to see a full lawn renovation documented. A garden friend sent these photos from his August 2005 Thermal Blue sod installation.

Removed the rocks (1 of 4 piles)

Prepared the dirt (NO TOPSOIL...just tilled) and installed the sod

Sod after install on August 8th, 2005

Same yard 2 weeks later

Three months later on November 3rd 2005 with neighbor's bermudagrass for contrast

Picture from porch looking other direction May 17th 2006

June 22nd 2006...still not a year old...after fully filling in rough spots...99% weed free...this is during a drought.

A close up of the same grass with the leaves starting to fold slightly. I watered on this day

Homeowner's Advice for Thermal Blue Success

• Do NOT treat as cool-season grass with extra heat tolerance. That's what causes problems. Treat it like a warm-season grass and it looks great!
• Fertilize with 6–8 lbs N/1,000 sq ft/year (not 3–4 lbs like cool-season grasses), including summer months. Use 50% slow-release in June/July/August only.
• Don't water unless absolutely necessary. Footprint test (prints remain minutes) works perfectly.
• Keep it simple and enjoy this new lawn grass.