Well I don't think the lawn is *dead* maybe I need to clarify that. It just seems to be really slow to green up by comparison to those around it. There is definite green coming through, and after being out in it for an extended period of time, it does appear to be evening out (more of an equal mix of the two). As far as what type of grass I have- I do not know that. I assume it's a mix-- perhaps Kentucky, Buffalo and fescue??? Honestly I have no clue so I don't know why I'm even guessing! I have contacted the county to find out who to contact to send in samples to have this confirmed. Watering frequency has been difficult for me- the former owners I *think* installed their own sprinkler system and IMO it leaves quite a bit to be desired (they put leaker hoses on the same line as the regular lawn sprinklers but that's another story). I Spent a good portion of last Summer adjusting the sprinkler heads and trying to find out how often and how much water was needed. I had a very difficult time keeping my lawn green until I started watering 3-4 times a week and for up to an hour at a time which to me seemed excessive. My next door neighbor, by contrast, was only having to water 2-3 times a week, and for 45 minutes or so at a time (or so he said). I've still got work to do with the sprinklers for this year- maybe it's impossible but I'd like to get down to watering only 1-2 times a week and still maintain a green lawn. As for fertilizer- I only use organic/natural fertilizers. No pesticides or commercial companies came to our home last year. The fertilizer I have is Pro-Rich Richlawn. I believe I fertilized twice last year- once in May, and again in Aug/early Sept. Mowing height- between 2-3 inches depending on heat. In the early Spring I'll mow it shorter, but in the hot part of Summer I set the height higher.

As a 1st time homeowner, I am completely ignorant of how to deal with my lawn(s) and have a few issues... I put new hardscape in the front yard, re-did the sprinklers, and laid sod - Dwarf Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea). On the areas that are shaded by a large tree, the grass is growing well (and I'm getting used to my lawnmower). On the part that gets full sun for most of the day, the growth is VERY slow and some parts are thinning. Watering is done every other day for 8 minutes on the shady side and 15 minutes in the sunny area. Another issue is in the backyard where I pulled out some old hardscape, placed sprinklers, and spread seed (same grass as in front). It has been a few months and the grass is coming up acceptably with (as expected) a number of weeds. I've spot treated the weeds to kill them (& gotten a bit of overspray on the surrounding grass). I was intending to get some more seed into these areas but would like to incorporate this with the solution to another problem. I'm not happy with the grading that was done before the seed was spread - there are places that it's easy to trip in! I was wondering if it might be work to go over the lawn with some sort of enriched soil to fill in low spots. It might be ugly for a while but wouldn't my existing grass come up through this thin topping/levelling layer? I could even add more seed at this point to help with the issue of the dead grass from the aforementioned weed treatment. Comments or recommendations?

You can fertilize but only if you are going to water when mother nature doen't provide. And it should only be Organic fertilizer like Milorganite or Espoma. You can also use PERKUP, a special summer formula for cool season grasses comprised of: 4-0-10. The last number makes the grass breath better during high heat, the first number makes it happen in the first place. You are only 2 months away from overseeding anyway, so you could just wait and not do any of the above. It all depends on how bad you want it and are you willing to do it. BTW, Charlotte is a beautiful city, I travel there for business from time to time - love the Downtown. Cheers, Xavier

Thats what I am wondering, do the roll behind stripers work, or are they a PIA? I like stripes, and yes they row my boat. I keep an excellent looking lawn/landscape as it is, so striping is about the only thing I can do. Unfortunately my 21" walkbehind is not sufficient, But I too am waiting for that perfect deal to show up and I'll take it. Oh my point, Simplicity is excellent at striping and haveing the atttached roller must be good. Excelllent machine too. Some have said you can't see a difference between the JD and simplicity, meaning it doesn't strip THAT much better