chicofuentes0224 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Anybody know if I can seed and fertilize the front and back yard at the same time? I had an incredible amount of weeds take over the front yard last year and I just redid my sidewalk in the fall so now I have half a front lawn thanks to the backhoe and what's left of it is overrun by some kind of clover looking vine that wiped out the good grass. My backyard grass is sparce thanks to the fact that I have a Golden retriever that tears it up constantly and I have about 25 trees sucking up the water and nutrients out of the already crappy soil. So, anybody know if I can apply a good fertilizer/weed killer to both lawns and seed at the same time or should I do one before the other? And if I'm doing one before the other, how long should I wait between the two? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 To the best of my knowledge, all of the weed killers I've seen state that they are not to be used on newly planted grass. The seedlings probably don't have the energy reserves to survive the onslaught of poison. Sounds to me like you really need to start over from scratch. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 To the best of my knowledge, all of the weed killers I've seen state that they are not to be used on newly planted grass. The seedlings probably don't have the energy reserves to survive the onslaught of poison. Sounds to me like you really need to start over from scratch. :( I agree. you need to rent a turf cutter and remove the top 1" of soil and start over. we had those vines take over a house we were renting out and that was the best answer we could come up with. cut it out, apply fresh dirt to bring the lawn height up if you wish, and replant. as to whether or not to do front and back...that has no bearing in the process. you do it if you want to, as in...do you have time to do it all in one shot? then go ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicofuentes0224 Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Pat, by turf cutter do you mean a tiller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Pat, by turf cutter do you mean a tiller? nope. a tiller will just displace the seads deeper in the dirt to resurface, meaning you'll need more weed killer in the future. by turf cutter I mean actually removing the first 1/2 to 1" of soil using what they use to cut turf (you know, the rolls of grass you can buy). I believe you can rent one...we had the luck of borrowing one from a friend. a tiller may work, when mixed with weed killer. or a hefty dose of weed killer as it is, wait for everything to die, and replant. obviously don't do this with a dog around in the back yard as they may eat some of the poison. if you decide to cut out the "intoxicated" turf, and only do half at a time, leave a barrier when you replant of about 2 to 4' between the front and back lawn where there is no seed planted. this will allow you to see any weeds looking to take over from the old lawn vs. what is new, and stop it early before it spreads. even that won't guarantee 100% effectiveness...seads do carry (dandylions) through the air as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Turf cutter: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 We call that Sod down these parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Sod cutter: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicofuentes0224 Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Well I just went over it with the boss. No go, she won't let me do it or kill off the whole lawn and start over. Percentage wise (100% being the best), what do you guys think my chances are of having a half decent lawn if I go to Lowe's, buy a crap load of seed, and pray to the lawn gods that the grass will get thick enough to choke out the weeds if I just seed the crap outta the yard and water it like hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Lay sod over the grass you have now.. How big is your yard?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Well I just went over it with the boss. No go, she won't let me do it or kill off the whole lawn and start over.Percentage wise (100% being the best), what do you guys think my chances are of having a half decent lawn if I go to Lowe's, buy a crap load of seed, and pray to the lawn gods that the grass will get thick enough to choke out the weeds if I just seed the crap outta the yard and water it like hell. about nil. you need to kill the weeds before you plant the seeds. go to menards, lowes, home depot and ask them to explain different types of weed killer to you. seems I remember there being a product out there that you mix in with new grass seed in the spreader, that is supposed to target only weeds and allow new grass to grow. btw, jtdesigns' idea is probably the best. it'll choke out the life of the plants, and give you grass right away. you'll have to mow it slow with a push mower for awhile though until the seed takes root through the sod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicofuentes0224 Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Lay sod over the grass you have now.. How big is your yard?. The front's not big at all. Think that'll work. Only problem is sod around here is $$$$ and nobody around here has any decent turf like they do down south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicofuentes0224 Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Well I just went over it with the boss. No go, she won't let me do it or kill off the whole lawn and start over.Percentage wise (100% being the best), what do you guys think my chances are of having a half decent lawn if I go to Lowe's, buy a crap load of seed, and pray to the lawn gods that the grass will get thick enough to choke out the weeds if I just seed the crap outta the yard and water it like hell. about nil. you need to kill the weeds before you plant the seeds. go to menards, lowes, home depot and ask them to explain different types of weed killer to you. seems I remember there being a product out there that you mix in with new grass seed in the spreader, that is supposed to target only weeds and allow new grass to grow. btw, jtdesigns' idea is probably the best. it'll choke out the life of the plants, and give you grass right away. you'll have to mow it slow with a push mower for awhile though until the seed takes root through the sod. Thanks for the reply guys. I'm going to price out the three diffrent options out and figure out what to do :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 My cuz has a irrigation/landscaping buz that what he does. The last time I ever dealt with doing something like this I asked my brother who is a landscape architect and he told me the same thing.. It is expensive, but the best return for the $$$$.. Or you could do like my crazy woodsmen neighbor and sow some rye grass and not cut it so it looks like an open plain.. But,, I bet the misses will tell you "OH ell no" on that one.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Go to Lowes, buy a few gallons of green paint, paint the lawn. It'll kill the weeds and you'll have a green lawn. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deziped Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 If you keep the dog & he lives outside forget trying to have a "nice" lawn. From experiemnce I'd do the two sections at different times, like 6 months apart. It gives the dog a place to play & dump while one section is trying to take hold. If you have weeds why not spray the whole section with ROUNDUP & let all the weeds and grass die. I can tell you if you don't all the weeds and crab grass will come up with a vengenance in the new stuff you seed or sod you lay down. I removed 2 - 3' layer in back yard and put down sod. The weeds came right back thru the sod. I can control the weeds with spray, but, the crab grass resists everything I've tryed so far. Lawn looks like crap. In front I sprayed with Grass & weed killer and let it die. Left it that way for 6 months with perodic spraying evry time I seen anything green out there. Then I rototilled it and seeded it with a good brand of seed in Sept. By Dec it was lookun good. I only have problems with an ocassional weed now & then trying to take hold in the Spring. But a once over with Weed-B-Gon takes care of them. Good luck. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigd44889 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 :agree:with pete lol mi. hillbill at its finest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Atsroturf :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldrusty Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Night time temps need to stay about 45 - 50 degrees or so if you want your seed to germinate quickly. If you do fertilize make sure not to get fertilizer with crabgrass preventer. The crabgrass preventer is basically a seed killer and will keep the grass seed from growing also. I have had moderate success seeding over established lawns by first dethatching then using a plug airerator before seeding and fertilizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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