re-seeding lawn this fall

11 years ago

I plan on re-seeding my lawn this fall, I have some dead spots that didn't come back, which I believe were from a fungus. Would I be better off renting a slit seeder, or can I just spread some new topsoil over the spots and re-seed?

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Comments (6)

dchall_san_antonio
11 years ago
Slit seeder.

Why do you think you need topsoil? Do you have puddling or does rain water not drain away from the buildings?
Smooch59
Original Author
11 years ago
Well I've never used a slit seeder, and I've heard mixed results from some people when slit seeding. I know when ever I've re-planted before, I've alway's top dressed with soil and planted on top of that, and have alway's had very good result's, but I'm no expert that's for sure, that's why I'm asking for input here. I've alway's had a really nice looking lawn, but this year is the worst it's ever looked. I got a fungus which caused brown patches all over my front yard, and it doesn't seem to be coming back. After reading on this forum, I realize I may have been watering and fertilizing improperly, and would like to get things back on track now for next year. Thanks for your help.
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I must report the sad news that some earthworms were harmed during my core aeration. Poor little fellows - I hope they left some off spring in the soil. However, the good news is that even with a good 18 hours of steady rainfall and some of it torrential my yard held up very well. I have no idea how much rain we got, but would guess at 3-4" minimum probably closer to 6. I'm convinced that the core aeration made the soil much more capable of absorbing that amount of water. Sunday was a "fix a few rough spots" and seed day. Put down a 50/50 mix of tall fescue and perennial rye (5.2#/1000) and added a little KBG for grins. Just got through getting my Orbit timers programmed and set up so watering begins in earnest tomorrow morning. My biggest problem now will be keeping the leaves off.
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After nearly a day of reading posts on here, I might just give it a good overseed this year. Ill have to rent an aerator from Home Depot, and do that, which I think will make a huge difference since this soil is SO compacted. Its all soil, no clay but its dang near hard as a rock. When i've dug holes, I have to jump/stand on the shovel. (Im a 230ish pound guy) If all else fails, next year ill have all the supplies and be ready to kill it and re-seed. (If I were to go that route now, it would be a couple weeks before I could start, which seems like it would really be pushing it) I would greatly appreciate it though if someone could help identify the grass type I have, so I know which seed to buy. (Also, if you know a certain brand of seed or anything that would help!) I only have stores like lowes, home depot, ace hardware around me. Lowes and HD obv have name brand bagged seed, but ace has the large racks of seed you bag yourself, all different kinds. My yard is not shaded, only the back for a few hours a day.
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Killing off existing lawn and re-seeding...?
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You'll want to use glyphosate (brand name roundup, but any will do) to kill it. Just make sure you don't use something that has extended control or you won't be able to seed. Also, you're probably running out of time on doing this, so get started fast. You say you plan to seed heavily, but don't seed more than the recommended rate. If you seed too heavily, too much grass will grow and will be competing for resources, so it will end up not being healthy and possibly dying off. For Ohio, you'll want Kentucky bluegrass. If you're killing it all and starting over, you may as well go with elite cultivars (and insist on sod quality seeds). You won't find that at a big box store, but may find it at a local nursery. If you Google "kentucky bluegrass seed selections ohio" (without the quotes) you'll find some recommendations tailored to your state.
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Putting seed down in late fall or winter is known as dormant seeding. From what I have read, it is a very good way to seed a lawn, and you save water since the spring rains do most of the work. When you dormant seed you put down the seed when there is no chance is will germinate, too early can be a problem as you run the risk of getting the seed to germinate too soon. Before the first snowfall is a good time as this will prevent seed from blowing away, being swept away by rains, and as the snow melts it will work the seed into the soil. It's a bit early to dormant seed now in most of the USA, I would wait till the day before the first snow.
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goren
11 years ago
Over layering of a good compost/triple mix or topsoil can improve the water retention by building organic matter into the soil. No need to dig it in, the simple over layer of 1/2" to 1" every spring and fall will result in building the soil....then the overseeding of a good grass seed can result in improving the quality of the turf. If this is done, as per schedule every spring and fall will keep the lawn in its best shape.

To figure out how much compost/topsoil to buy simply measure the area you wish to cover length times width
IN FEET, multiply by the depth of soil IN INCHES, multiply that figure times 3 and divide by 1000 results in the number of cubic yards of soil to cover the area.
ibanez540r
11 years ago
goren - here we go #4

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg081452209435.html?4

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0812153718882.html?4

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0814415431178.html?3
goren
11 years ago
Good for you, it is encouraging that readers take to heart good advice and if said twice, then twice is twice as good.
ibanez540r
11 years ago
Goren - as Tiemco stated in the other thread, we are all in agreement adding organic matter is a great practice, regardless of what's going on, but your recommendations and directions are terrible.

What do you think is going to happen after you add 1", every spring and fall for say, two years, three, etc. 4", 6", etc. of raising the grade. Let alone the killing of the grass and having to seed everytime, especially spring.

Can we agree on an application of a 1/2" of compost & then good lawn keeping practices?

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re-seeding lawn this fall

Comments (6)

dchall_san_antonio

Smooch59
Original Author

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re-seeding lawn this fall

Comments (6)

dchall_san_antonio

Smooch59Original Author

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goren

ibanez540r

goren

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Smooch59
Original Author