Our fescue lawn was always bad. We have invested in Chemlawn several
times but the weeds have always come back. Last summer, after an
extended vacation, we came home to find practically no grass left, all
weeds. I have resorted to just cutting the crabgrass short because
there's virtually no lawn left. The soil is dry, claylike and rocky
and I can tell it's never been landscaped. It's springtime and I'm
frustrated... is there anything left to do except till the whole thing
over in the fall and plant new seed? I've already tried that before,
and it failed. The new fescue never took, and bare patches that were
left were soon replaced with more crabgrass, clover and other weeds. I
was careful to water the seed and I'm not sure why it didn't grow. My
biggest suspicion is that it all started with me cutting the lawn too
short, which I'm told weakens the grass and makes it vulnerable to
weeds.
I've noticed that the only lawns in our neighborhood that look nice
are the sodded ones. The fescue lawns look similar to ours -- nearly
all weeds. We live in Georgia, btw.
I'm sure you can tell that I am a novice and know nothing about
gardening, so please be kind.

In article
,
says...
Our fescue lawn was always bad. The soil is dry, claylike and rocky
and I can tell it's never been landscaped. The new fescue never took,
and bare patches that were
left were soon replaced with more crabgrass, clover and other weeds. I
was careful to water the seed and I'm not sure why it didn't grow. My
biggest suspicion is that it all started with me cutting the lawn too
short, which I'm told weakens the grass and makes it vulnerable to
weeds.
I've noticed that the only lawns in our neighborhood that look nice
are the sodded ones. The fescue lawns look similar to ours -- nearly
all weeds. We live in Georgia, btw.

First, there are a number of different climates in Georgia,
so knowing more specifically where you are would help.
Whether the lawn is in full sun, partial shade, or fully
shaded is also critical.

With that said, in most of Georgia, it's simply too hot for
Fescue to do well without LOTS of attention. Frequent
water, fertilizer, etc. Even at that, Fescue lawns will
require annual over-seeding, as bare spots Will occur.

Second, regardless of the type of grass, lack of proper soil
preparation is the single greatest reason for failure. To
do it right (and this includes for laying sod), the soil
should be tilled once to at least 6 inches, then soil
amendments added to enrich/break up the clay, and the whole
thing tilled again.

Third, if seeding, it's critical that it be done at the
right time of year, depending on the type of seed (early
spring or early fall for Fescue), that the seed be tamped
into and lightly covered with soil, lightly covered with
Wheat or Oat straw, and finally watered lightly at Least
once a day until at least 50% germinated (2-3 weeks).

Fourth, as you surmised, Fescue must be left rather long,
especially in the summer, to help protect it from the heat
and sun.

So, with that info, you may change your mind about how you
want to proceed.
--
Mark

The truth as I perceive it to be.
Your perception may be different.

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