Bringing a lawn back from the dead
 

On 14 Jul 2006 14:35:01 -0700, "Big Purple Nose"
wrote:

Hello gardening types, I just bought my first house last year - in
snip

So what is the difference in cost between doing what she said,
basically killing all the weeds and then slathering seed about, and
going out to get fresh sod. I presume the latter is more expensive. If
you lay sod don't you have to lift up a few inches of dirt that is
already there and cart it off first? I mean, if you don't doesn't that
make your lawn several inches higher than the sidewalks and paths?


Sod is much more expensive than seed, but it gives you an "instant"
lawn. Yes, laying sod will raise your lawn a little, maybe a couple
inches.

How long would it take if I just let the lawn company kill everything,
then reseeded? I don't mind waiting a bit, if that is likely, with

It takes 3-7 days for RoundUp to kill everything. It can be seeded
immediately after that. But, after everything is killed off, this
would be an excellent time to till in some organic matter (compost,
manure, lime if needed, etc). Tilling and adding compost will solve
the compacted soil. A soil test is well worth the small cost--this
will tell you exactly what to buy and save you money in the long run.

their help, to be successful. Don't advise me to lay the sod myself to
save money. I have a bad back and I'd wind up being laid up for days.
So I'll have to hire a landscaping company to do it. The lawn in back
is about 2,000 sf and the one in front about 1/4 of that. Should this
sort of thing be done now or in the fall or in the spring?


You have a small lot. You want a couple months of non-freezing
weather for the seed to sprout and become established. Probably best
to plant now as you can easily keep this small area watered. Get 3
or 4 estimates from different landscaping companies. If you do the
work yourself (or even hire some kids) I'm sure you will save a lot.
Do not be too concerned with weeds until next spring. Chemical weed
killers are very harsh on seedlings.

I'd be grateful for even a very rough idea of pricing, if possible. I'm
in southeastern Ontario

Dave