...but hardly any grass.

Our lawn is in sorry, sorry shape. Dead spots all over the front,
cracked and dry. Lots of clover in the fromt and sides, and nothing but
moss in the back, where there is the least sunshine.

I live in NC, near Chapel Hill. Short of hiring someone else, like
Chemlawn, help me to start from scratch and reenergize my pitiful lawn!

On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 22:43:30 GMT, Mump
wrote:

..but hardly any grass.

Our lawn is in sorry, sorry shape. Dead spots all over the front,
cracked and dry. Lots of clover in the fromt and sides, and nothing but
moss in the back, where there is the least sunshine.

I live in NC, near Chapel Hill. Short of hiring someone else, like
Chemlawn, help me to start from scratch and reenergize my pitiful lawn!

Got this from an a.m. gardening radio show.

Here's a start:

A balanced ph factor will prevent some weeds and moss.

August/
September The best time to apply pelletized lime is 8 weeks
prior to fall seeding. Otherwise, pelletized lime can be applied up
to seeding time. Pelletized lime can be applied up to four times per
year.

Lime spread rate

New Lawns….40-70#/1000 sqft
Established Lawn 40#/ 2000sqft

Begin weed control preparation:

Two weeks prior to seeding you can kill off areas that are in
poor condition with Round-up or Finale. Apply either herbicide two
weekends in a row for those hard to control weeds such as Bermuda
grass. By the third weekend you are ready to seed.

September Best time to begin seeding your lawn is when the night
temperatures dip into the lower 60's.

Core or spike aerate lawns that are new or neglected for the
first two to three fall seasons.

Add gypsum where soil is compacted twice yearly. Try to space
applications one to two weeks apart from applications of lime or
fertilizer.

Apply starter fertilizer as directed with a broadcast or
rotary spreader.

Choose a good Turf-Type Fescue, i.e.: Enviro, or Lesco's
Transition Blend. A blend works best in sun to part shade. Where
there is shade, choose a blend with Creeping Red Fescue, or Enviro
Shade Blend. If there is dense shade, fescue performs poorly. You may
consider a ground cover such as Dwarf Mondo or Vinca Minor.
When seeding use the average coverage rate as follows:
Over-seeding 4-5 lbs/1000 sqft
New seeding 8-10 lbs/1000 sqft
Remember there is approximately
44,000 sqft in an acre

It is best to apply seed evenly. Too much seed applied can
cause the seed to die once germinated. Lightly sprinkle peat moss or
topsoil evenly over the seed to cover. Since wheat straw contains
weed seeds, use sparingly or on areas you cannot water evenly.

Wet newly seeded areas daily until germination. Germination
takes place best when temperatures are between 70 - 75 degrees and can
take approximately 10 days to two weeks. Once germination takes place
water evenly. You are looking for approximately one to two inches of
water on the lawn every week.

IT IS BEST TO AVOID NIGHT WATERING!!!
Mowing newly seeded areas can take place when you can walk on
the area lightly and the turf bounces back without matting down. Keep
damage to your new grass to a minimum…KEEP YOUR LAWN MOWER BLADES
SHARP!!!!
November/
December Eight weeks after seeding a second application of
Fertilizer can be applied. If more seeding is needed, a
second application of starter can be applied. Otherwise, this is the
time to apply Winterizer Fertilizer.


This information provided for you by:

Maureen Riley,WBT's Carolina Gardener
2004






February/
March Apply a Crabgrass Preventer at this time. Scott's Halts or
Lesco's 0-0-7 will keep crabgrass and or grassy weeds from emerging up
to 12 weeks. No seeding can take place after use of either product!
****You may want to pick up an additional application of preventer to
be used in May to get a more effective control of crabgrass.

It is best to apply lime at this time too.
April/
May Apply a Weed and Feed at this time. A weed and feed product
will take care of broadleaf weeds and be your first fertilizer
application of the spring.

Remember to follow the directions carefully

Wet the lawn first…..Rain within 48 hours will diminish the
effectiveness. This product is best used when the weeds are actively
growing. Applying the application too early can reduce the
effectiveness of the weed killing chemical.

The organic way… An alternative to inorganic fertilizers you
may want to try organic fertilizers. Espoma's Turf Tone, or
Milorganite is an excellent way to get good greening. With organics
you must apply more frequently, so follow the directions carefully

Don't forget….. May is the best time to make your second
application of crabgrass preventer to ensure you get complete control.

Grubs?…… Watch out for grubs at this time. Applying a product
containing "Merit" in May will be very effective on the eggs of
Japanese Beetles that will be laid this season. Milky Spore can be
used as an effective biological control. It can last up to three
years. Encourage your neighbors to use it also to get a more
complete control.

June/
July If there is a rainfall shortage, reduce your watering slowly.
By doing so your lawn will naturally go into survival mode.
Intermittent watering will cause more stress and actually damage your
lawn. You are better off cutting your watering back entirely. You
will see as the fall arrives the greening back when the rain comes.
You may also consider investing in a sprinkler system. A sprinkler
system actually will water your lawn more efficiently and reduce your
loss from drought conditions.