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Fri, Jun 3, 11 at 11:22
| A little background to start:
I live in CT, the lawn is about 8000SF, used to be a bluegrass mix, not so sure any more. Soil composition was OK as of a year or two ago. The problem is that when walking on the lawn large sections of it feel very spongy. Making a long story short, I described the problem to the state extension office lawn expert last year and we decided that the problem is that the lawn hasn't been dethatched for several years and the lawn is growing in the thatch, and the thatch/lawn has separated from the topsoil. It's possible to stick one's fingers under the lawn, much as if it were riddled with mole tunnels. The entire lawn hasn't separated, but it's extensive. One solution would be to remove the whole lawn and reseed, but I want to avoid that, for obvious reasons. I'm thinking that one way to start would be to dethatch, which should pull up all the loose stuff, then see what remains, and proceed from there. When I reseed I am thinking of using a fescue mix, as I understand it does well with limited watering. I have no sprinklers, so the lawn has to depend on the rains for it's needs. Good idea, or stick with the bluegrass mix? If anyone has encountered this problem I would greatly value their input. Bob |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| If you have a 1/2 inch or more layer of thatch, then it would be a good idea to rent a power rake and remove it. It will run you about $50 bucks for 4 hours, two passes, one north/south, the other east/west followed by a mowing with the bag attached to your mower should do it. Your overseed will be much more successful after a dethatching. If you have Kentucky Bluegrass in your lawn now, it should spread to fill in bare areas, but only if it's happy. If you want to seed regardless of which seed you use, you will almost definitely need to water your seed. Mother nature almost never comes through and provides a week of light rain. You can set up hoses and timers from your house to keep your seeds moist. It will probably cost 2-300 dollars for 8000 square feet. I live in CT too, your ideal time to seed is right around Sept. 1. Don't seed now. Use the summer to get your soil in good shape. I suggest a soil test to see what amendments you might need. Hope this helps. |
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- Posted by bulletbobb CT USA (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 11:45
| Thanks for the response, and my apologies for taking so long to answer. Things got very hectic around here for a few days. Had some guys over yesterday to dethatch (in 93-degree heat!), and they got a mountain of thatch out of the lawn. Trouble is, there is still alot of 'grass' left, perhaps 75% by area, and I'm not sure what to do with it. It's not really KBG any more, it's a narrow-leafed weed, or grass-like weed. I'm wondering what would happen if I just overseeded with a real grass, perhaps the fescue I mentioned in my first post, since I don't have sprinklers. Any thoughts? Thanks, Bob |
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- Posted by bassplayer7 none (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 13:22
| You should do your best to positively identify the "grass-like weed". It would make sense if it was something like bermuda, but it could be anything - there's a host of grassy weeds out there. Don't forget, bluegrass is narrow-leafed. If they removed all of the KBG with the de-thatching - that was unfortunate. If you truly only have weeds left, then you need to start over. Glyphosate (round up or similar), then wait until the label says you can seed. I've never done just that and would be nervous about spraying the entire yard with round up or something, but have heard it works, and may be a solution for you. just my thoughts |
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| You cannot grow grass without sprinklers! (well unless you dormant seed, but you can't do that till winter) Grass seed needs to be moist for at least a week to germinate, and generally longer for KBG and fine fescue. You can spread all the seed you want, but if you don't water, and it doesn't rain for a week straight, you will be wasting your time and money. Also now would be the worst time to start growing grass. Wait till Sept. 1. |
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| This is probably the worse time of the year to dethatch, seed or anything else. Take a look at a picture of nimblewill. My neighbor has a lot of it and it is runing his lawn. You may want to think about a complete renovation around Labor Day. You have to keep the seed moist! Didn't say whether your lawn is in sun or shade! |
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- Posted by bulletbobb CT USA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 12, 11 at 9:28
| Because the grass/thatch had separated from the soil in so many places I was fairly confident that the dethatching would essentially denude the lawn. It certainly removed alot of it, but there is still much more 'grass' than there is dirt, if you get my meaning. The current issue of Family Handyman has an article on stripping a lawn and starting over. I want none of that! Too much work, too much money. So I will try to salvage what is left. The 'grass' I have is more or less green, and that is good enough for me, at least for the present. I think the thing to do is core aerate (did it last maybe 5 years ago), then get some fertilizer on it, then see what it does. Since it is an invasive species I suspect it will spread and fill in the empty spots, just as it managed to drive out the KBG mix that used to be there. I might experiment with a few small areas (that I can keep watered, put some straw over it), just to see what would happen if I overseeded with a fescue. I'm afraid the stuff that's in there now would crowd it out, but a test would be interesting. The lawn has areas that are all sun, partial sun, and all shade. The moral to the story is, if you see a junk grass spreading in your lawn, dig it out! Bob |
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Sun, Jun 12, 11 at 17:03
| I like Family Handyman for everything but lawn advice. Every time they mention organics I cringe and send them an email. They really don't understand and don't seem interested in discussing it. I would hesitate to do anything but water right now. I believe your grass is still there. Water it and see. |
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