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Planting grass after removing pachysandra

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Posted by LouHarv Upstate NY (My Page) on
Thu, Sep 1, 11 at 13:27

I'm brand new to this forum, and to gardening in general. My wife and I purchased our first home in Feb not knowing that our entire back yard was covered in pachysandra. We have spent the summer removing it, but the more I rake and dig the more roots I find.

I've dug up and raked out as much as possible, my plan now is to put down 2-4 inches of topsoil and plant grass seed. My questions are:
1. Is it worth planting grass this fall or should I wait until next spring and continue to dig up pachysandra?
2. Will the pachysandra come back and take over the grass?
3. Will it be possible to dig up and/or kill and pachysandra that comes up next spring?

I read a similar thread on this forum from June '08, but it didn't really have any answers. Any advice would greatly appreciated.

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RE: Planting grass after removing pachysandra

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Pachysandra is most often used in shady situations. Is the area shady? That may offer a challenge to establishing a lawn there.

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RE: Planting grass after removing pachysandra

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Water and fertilize the area very heavily and allow the remaining Pachysandra to grow back. After this apply round-up to the entire area with a surfactant or a "spreader sticker", which helps the spray stick to the foliage better (avoid home depot, go to a good nursery or a farm supply store to buy these items).

The reason you need to get the Pachysandra growing again is because Round-up only works when the plants are actually growing and have leaves formed that can absorb the spray. Meaning if their are roots in the ground which are idle and have no leaves formed, they will not be affected.

I would put out a high nitrogen fertilizer, and then spray round-up later. Since we're bordering right on fall/winter your best bet might be to put out fertilizer now and let nature water it in over winter and then spray in the spring.

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RE: Planting grass after removing pachysandra

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LouHarv,

I will address your questions one at a time.

1. It is not too late to plant grass and in fact it is perfect timing to do so. Because you are in upstate New York, planting a cool season grass like, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, rye grass, or even better a blend of two or more cool season grasses will establish well this time of year. You do not want to plant any grass after October 1st, but if you were to get some seeds in the ground within the next couple of days, you'll be alright. By the way if you were to wait and plant your grass in the spring, you'll create even more growth competition with the Pachysandra and other weeds.

2. If you get your grass planted soon and have it well established for the spring, there is a possibility that your thick lawn may suppress any of the Pachysandra regrowth.

3. If you still have pachysandra emerging and giving you problems next Spring, give it a good shot of a 2-4D herbicide treatment. 2-4D is an active ingredient for selective herbicides that only kill broad leafed plants like pachysandra. This herbicide will not do any harm to your grass.

I hope I was able to answer some of your concerns. For more information on planting grass, seeding rates, and good lawn care management for New York, take a look at my website. www.plantinggrassseedcenter.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting Grass Seed Center

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