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| I put irrigation in last fall and over seeded. Things went well, but I did not get crabgrass preventer down this spring. I have put down weed killer, fertilizer, and insecticide, but still have brown spots, dead grass, crabgrass, etc. The roots do not seem very deep. I am going to clean up again in the next week or so and over seed again. I have done lawn work for 30 years, but as I get older, I want to get it right. So, questions I have for anyone who has advice for me:
What type of seed do I use? How do you know what variety of seed within each category? Do I aerate (my normal technique), or dethatch, or slice seed? What type of fertilizer? What fertilizer later this fall? How about next spring? What should my watering schedule be? I know this sounds like elementary and basic questions, but I am trying to reconfirm some of my past practices/thoughts, learn new ideas, and re-establish a gopod program. Thanks in advance. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Sat, Aug 20, 11 at 11:25
| There is an agency which performs grass tests. I can't think of the name because those of us in the south don't have all the choices y'all have up there where it's cooler. Someone will come by with the answer to that. Generally I like Kentucky bluegrass for full sun applications in the cool areas. It spreads to fill and does not require reseeding every year. Aeration is a personal choice. I don't think you need it. If dethatching is even a question, then you are familiar with Kentucky bluegrass. The dethatcher is a good tool to thin the grass in prep for seeding. I like organic fertilizers, so if you are looking for a chemical fertilizer recommendation, I can't help you there, either. As for organic, soybean meal is the best bang for the buck in any year but especially this year. Other grains went sky high. If you have been gardening for 30 years and have not read the new news about organic lawn care, then you will have to unlearn what you think you know. Expensive compost is out as a fertilizer and inexpensive grain fertilizers is in. Watering: Now I can help you. Watering should be done deeply and infrequently. Deeply means a full inch all at one time, not spread out over a week. And infrequently means monthly in the cool months and weekly in the hottest part of summer. Watch the grass for signs of wilting and water then. If it cannot go a full week in the summer, then water immediately but longer this time. You did not ask about mowing, but if you want to spot check your practices on that, the collected and simplified wisdom of the Internet forums over the years is to mow fescue and rye at the highest setting on your mower, Kentucky bluegrass is mowed at 3 inches, bentgrass is mowed at the lowest setting. |
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