On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 20:57:39 +0000, bill cameron wrote:

Just bought a house for the first time. My small lawn has the following
problems

Moss to the max
Broad leaf weeds
Dandilions a small amount
Weed grass a small amount
New home owner on a budget...what should I do the first year, to have a
decent lawn? Thinking power racking with a thatch attachment on the my
lawnmower, then moss kill and repeat. Question. When do I go at the broad
leaf weeds with local spray, before or after thatching? Weed grass, just
dig out? Dandilions, just dig out?


Moss: 2 reasons for moss. Reason 1 is due to soil ph and reason 2 is due
to enviroment. With heavy moss infestations, I would suspect the lawn's
enviroment. If the lawn doesn't drain well, the moss will grow. To correct
this problem, you'll have to fix the drainage on the property.

Broad leaf weeds, weed grass and dandilions:
This is generally caused by neglect and or mowing too short. When the lawn
is not fertilized on a regular basis, the grass gets weaker and thinner
which allows more light to the lawn's surface which inturn sprouts more
weed seeds. Also when you mow too short, the same thing happens.

What I would recommend....
Test the lawn's ph. Adjust the lawn's ph if needed.
I would thatch the lawn using a 'real' thatching machine. You can rent one
for the day. When you thatch the lawn, you will be left with mostly dirt
area where your lawn was. Call a couple of friends to come over and help
rake up the lawn. You can compost the moss/grass or run it to the dump.
(expect alot of moss/grass to get rid of) Reseed the lawn with a good
grass seed that's right for your area/zone. Call your county's ag extenion
office for the correct grass. After reseeding, it's best to cover your
grass seed with peat moss. 1 large bail will cover 200 square feet of
lawn. This will help with the seed germenation and help to keep the birds
out of it also. After the seed sprouts, wait 2 to 4 weeks before you mow
it. I tend to fertilize the lawn at this time with 21-3-7. DONOT use weed
and feed type fertilizer untill the lawn's at least 4 months old. You will
damage the new seedlings. If the lawn looks thin in the fall, reseed it
again.

With proper fertilization, watering and mowing, your lawn will look great
at little cost to maintain. Contact your local master gardeners. This is
the address to the one I belong to and it should work for your area.
http://gardening.wsu.edu/