Ignoramus32760 wrote:
I have an area behind my chicken coop where pine trees used to grow.

The area is in partial shade (eastern part of the house)

This is agricultural zone 5 (Northrn Illinois)

We cut those trees down and removed stumps, and planted 4 fruit trees.

We want to plant grass lawn in the area. Most of the area is barren,
but there is some weed type growth on one side.


My plan is:
First I would test your soil to see if any amendment is needed.

1. Kill weeds with ROUNDUP. Wait 2 days.

2. Rent a TILLER and TILL the area, and level it (it is uneven).

I would skip the herbicides. Rototilling will uproot the weeds and you
can rake them out and toss them in a compost pile.

3. Sprinkle a layer of TOPSOIL

This may not be necessary, depending on your soil test, above. I do
like to add organic matter, such as peat moss, during the rototilling.

4. Spread high quality SEED

Before seeding, you want to make sure the surface is smooth and somewhat
compacted. Rake for smoothness, then rent a roller to compact it. If
you don't get it fairly compacted at this stage, you will have to later
deal with lumps and holes that develop. Don't ask me how I know this.

5. Sprinkle more TOPSOIL

A lot of people use straw (not hay; hay has seeds in it) to cover the
new seed and protect it from birds. The grass grows right through the
straw. A smart bird won't let this stop him, though. A far better
method is cheesecloth, or the plastic equivalent. The fabric has to let
air and water and light through, so it can't be plastic sheeting. I
staked mine down with stakes I made from old coat hangars. Take up the
cheesecloth once you have seedlings.

6. WATER the area on a 3x Daily basis for 1 month

This seems excessive. I would start out at twice a day, early morning
and noon, and adjust as necessary. You want the soil damp, but not
standing water.

Take your time on this. The growing season is the spring or fall. Its
too late for spring. Seed in the early fall, say early September; the
grass will grow even under snow, and you will have a pleasant surprise
in the spring.

Is this sensible?

i

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