What to do w/bare spots in lawn.

16 years ago

I have a tall fescue lawn in NC with several small areas of grasslike weeds that had overtaken the fescue in the spring, and are now dying back because of the heat. Now there are bare spots (most less then a foot diameter). What can I do to these bare spots so new weeds grow in there place? Plant grass seed? I have an irrigation system that runs a few times a week in the morning. Also I've had a company overseed w/2nd millenium the past two years, and am planning to do it myself this year, but can't find anyplace locally that carrys it. Anyone know where to find 2nd millenium in the triangle (raleigh, durham, chapel hill), NC area?

Thanks for any responses.

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Comments (14)

quirkyquercus
16 years ago
by the way, seed in the fall.
dmsboy73
Original Author
16 years ago
The lawn is watered twice, sometimes 3 times a week depending on the weather. It's been a dry spring here, and the ground is mostly clay. The lawn is nearly perfect except for these few spots.
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dmsboy73
Original Author
16 years ago
I gleaned the idea from another thread of growing the grass in planters/pots, letting it establish, and then placing in the bare spots. To me that seems better then letting it go til the fall. The only problem now is locating a local source of 2nd millenium tall fescue.
captaintom
16 years ago
If you seed now the grass is likely to die with the first real NC summer heat (that's why late Aug/early Sept is better). Then again, if they are small spots, put some seed down. If the grass dies you haven't wasted a lot of money and some grass is better than weed collecting bare spots.

Good luck

Capt Tom
jdgt225innh
16 years ago
I have good results every year using Scotts Patchmaster on all my bare spots. It comes in large or small bags and is easy to spread by sifting it through our hands. It is basically finely chopped up newspapers used for mulch with seed and fertilizer along with some sort of green colorant. I usually supplement the seeds with a certain seed type depending on the area I am working on. After it is spread and watered it looks and smells like hydroseeding. The only thing is you need to water it daily, and maybe 2-3 times a day if it is sunny and warm. I found that if you let it dry out too much on the surface it hardens to the point of not allowing the seedlings to emerge through the mulch and they end up pushing up the mulch in sections and then settling back down to crush the seedlings. But if you keep it moist all day long it should work well for you.

Dave
sprinks98
16 years ago
dmsboy73: Can you ask your landscaper where he buys his grass seed from? If he will not tell you, then ask another one. Typically they all buy it from the same place. Most of them may get it from Lessco, but there are other places to get it from. I asked a landscaper where he bought his grass seed from and he told me. I called the place up and they will sell to the general public. He sells Winning Colors, Davinici,and Millenium, which is close to 2nd Millenium. I live just south of Hickory, NC.
auteck
16 years ago
I'm in Cary, NC. I know a place east of Raleigh (30 miles approx) that sells all kinds of turf type grass seeds (midnight, star KBG, etc) to local golf courses in the area. I have an account with them, if you want I can sell you some seed?

I don't know if the carry Fescue, but they sure have tons of Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass seeds. Either of them will complement your Fescue lawn very well.

Let me know.

And yeah, I agree with quirky, wait until late summer (mid August) to seed the areas. You can seed during the summer, but it requires ALOT more dedication to keep those seedlings alive. The NC Fairgrouns are comprised of a Perennial Ryegrass blend that they overseed year round with decent success.

Go by when you can and take a look for yourself. Beautiful dark green, fine bladed turf, just not perfect because of the heavy use/traffic from weekly and daily customers.
bestlawn
16 years ago
Millennnium II can be purchased at SummitSeed.com
auteck
16 years ago
SummitSeed is VERY expensive. You can buy the seed directly from Turf-Seed.com for about $5 per pound plus shipping, or you can buy it from me for $4 per pound for Elite Kentucky Bluegrass seed and NO shipping. Midnight or Midnight Star, I can also get Barenbrug or Turf-Seed Turf-type Perennial Ryegrass.

I'll be driving up there next month to buy some seed for the Fall.

Let me know.
okcdan
16 years ago
SummitSeed is VERY expensive. You can buy the seed directly from Turf-Seed.com for about $5 per pound plus shipping

Hmmmmm.... While I couldn't even find 2nd Millenium on the turf-seed.com sight, I was able to find it at SummitSeed.com for a mere $3.43/lb (1 to 5 lbs) and $3.08/lb (10lb quantity)
auteck
16 years ago
"Hmmmmm.... While I couldn't even find 2nd Millenium on the turf-seed.com sight, I was able to find it at SummitSeed.com for a mere $3.43/lb (1 to 5 lbs) and $3.08/lb (10lb quantity)"

Probably some common or generic seed. I found Midnight on SummitSeed.com for about $7 per pound.

Anyway, I'm not here to make any money, I make enough to buy the toys I want. If you interested, then let me know and I will purchase additional seed. We still have time, so no hurry.
dmsboy73
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the suggestions, and offers.
vahomeowner
16 years ago
Autek, I know this is a old post but what is the companys name you speak of?? I had a hard time finding anyone in the piedmont that would sell good seed. I finally setteled for the Lesco Dura-turf. I dont mind driving to get what I want.
sprinks98
16 years ago
Vahomeowner,

If you dont mind driving for good seed there is a place in Hickory, NC that sells certified seed. It is about about 1 1/2 hours from Greensboro, and 3 from Raleigh. There are open M-F. I just bought two 2nd Millenium 50 lb bags for 135.00, cant beat that(1.35 a pound). He also sells Winning Colors, Millenium, Davinci, and Turf Gem II(focus,finese II, and 2nd Millenium). He is a Lebnanon Turf Dealer. Hope this helps. Fill free to call for prices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Unifour Supply