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Posted: Mar/26/2008 6:19 PM PST
My lawn needs to be replaced. It hasn't been maintained really and hasn't been ariated/tilled in like 20 years.. What I intend to do is start from scratch.. I don't really know anything about lawn care/maintance - other then how to mow it  .. anyways, from what I know I am going to have to rent a power tiller and till the yard then do I put top soil on top and just spread the seed with some fertilizer and put some hay over it and make sure it stays watered? or is there more steps I am missing?? THANKS! BTW, I live in New Jersey - when is the best time to do all this? I Attached some pics of what it looks like now.. pretty sad, I know!
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Posted: May/23/2008 7:06 PM PST
Looks like you posted winter pics so I can't really tell if it dead or not but whatever you do DO NOT cover the grass seed with HAY!!! You want STRAW if anything! If you use HAY you will pollute the new grass seed with ALFALFA seed which is basically a tall grass which dies back in the winter. STRAW comes from OATS and the seed has been harvested before the STRAW is cut and baled. There are even grass seeds with their own built in mulch and crystals that tell you when it needs to be watered! |
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Posted: Jun/15/2009 11:36 PM PST
Hello! I am so glad I am not the only one with the same problem of not knowing what I am doing and needing to completely start my yard over. However, I live in New Mexico and won't have the same conditions for growing as you do. You have nice humidity and regular amounts of rainfall. The previous reply was correct in advising straw instead of hay. I did learn that from a friend who has horses and I went to buy feed hay with her. The grower advised me of the same reasons as to why straw is better. At least I have a supplier!  Now if I could just find someone to do the work for me. I am at a standstill as to how to begin. It's overwhelming.Hopefully you will have sucess with your yard and post new pictures of the green beauty. |
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Posted: Aug/23/2009 7:29 AM PST
I would not power till and I would be very selective with what fertilizer I used. And, fall is the best time to plant seed. The soil is warm, air is cool and there is rain. Do not try to plant grass seed in heat of summer. Power tilling will stir up huge numbers of weed seeds present in the soil. Spray your lawn with glysophate found in Round Up or Fertilome Kilz All. Kilz All is stronger. Do not spray on a windy day. Glysophate will kill anything green and growing it lands on. Will not harm tree if it lands on brown bark, but will if it lands on green leaves. Wait a week and spray it again. Then you can see if you missed any green. Kilz All will not spoil the soil and you can plant in it right away. Core Areate your lawn, leaving the plugs on the surface. Do not rake them up. This can be a muscle man type job. Hard to do if ground is too dry. Can't do if ground is too wet. You can often rent these machines or hire a landscape service is often worth this. Spread an appropriate grass seed blend. It looks like you have shade and need a shade tolerant blue grass and fescue mix. Never use quick release high nitrogen fertilizer on shade lawns or new plantings. Apply Natural Guard soil activator with your grass seed. Keep seed moist. Sprinkle lightly three times a day until you see sprouts. Then, apply New Lawn Starter Fertilizer. Water twice a day. Mow as soon as possible. Mow often. Do not use any weed killer until new lawn is up and growing and has been mowed three times. Fertilize a month later using an organic like Sustane or Milorganite. Sustane is better balance, but cost more. Use Winterizer fertilizer. If you are still around and your earlier attempts did not satisfy, try it this way. But keep in mind you need at least two to three hours of direct sunlight a day to grow grass. If you are getting less than that, consider landscaping with ground covers and paths. Fertilome products can be found at independant garden centers. Most are happy to talk with you and partner in your project. Hope I helped. Thanks, Gemma
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Posted: Jan/24/2010 12:14 PM PST
Hi There are lots and lots of tips and advices on starting a lawn from scratch, but the very first and basic idea i would suggest you is to get rid of this yellow dead grass and sow some green grass seeds to get a beautiful green base of garden, just order the seeds and sow them.. The site that can help you a lot in sowing green grass seeds and getting good results is as follows: http://www.viraleruption.com/growing-grass-seeds.h tml I used it personally and found it awesome. wish same for you
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