Grass, take 2

HMP

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Ok, about 18 months ago I tried to seed my yard. In spring. I know I know, I should have started in fall, but I didnt and thought "ok, let's get this thing going"
I killed everything, spent over a hundred on seed and fertilizer and it looked GREAT...for a bit. Then by fall it started to burn up and die. Didnt really come back.

So, take 2.
Family friend come over and spread weed and feed a few weeks back. Last week he came by and brought his plug aerator. He's been instructing me on what to buy, too.
So, Friday I got one bag of seed put down before it started to rain. Yesterday afternoon I got the other bag done, as well as two bags of lime.

Ive got some water on it now and will put fertilizer down in about two weeks.

Fingers crossed.
 
I wish you well.

As my house has gotten older and trees have gotten larger, I can’t keep grass to save my life. It’s really discouraging.
 
I plugged, fast acting limed, and seeded again two weeks ago. Whole yard is shaded by house or trees along the property line. It’s a money pit with no results. The weeds are gone on front and sides though. Couple hundred bucks did that.
 
Ok, about 18 months ago I tried to seed my yard. In spring. I know I know, I should have started in fall, but I didnt and thought "ok, let's get this thing going"
I killed everything, spent over a hundred on seed and fertilizer and it looked GREAT...for a bit. Then by fall it started to burn up and die. Didnt really come back.

So, take 2.
Family friend come over and spread weed and feed a few weeks back. Last week he came by and brought his plug aerator. He's been instructing me on what to buy, too.
So, Friday I got one bag of seed put down before it started to rain. Yesterday afternoon I got the other bag done, as well as two bags of lime.

Ive got some water on it now and will put fertilizer down in about two weeks.

Fingers crossed.
What did you seed with? Cool grasses typically should go down ~ the 1st week of September. They’ll grow, I’ve lightly fertilized (with a higher phosphorous and potassium) fescue in mid January. It made a notable improvement.
Fertilizer #’s
https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a26093411/fertilizer-numbers/
Good luck!
 
If you got $ you can get a great lawn fast.

I am cheap when it comes to grass... if it's green it's a yard, lol

I am 4 years into it:
It grass, weeds and ??? but it is not washing lol
IMG_1637.jpg
 
Yeah, I'm in the country, it would be a constant battle. I plug Centipede when I get the chance, other than that, if it's green, I mow it.
I’ve been plugging zeon zoysia (summer grass) for several years. This year was great, it’s so thick most weed seeds can’t reach the soil to germinate.
 
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Yeah, I'm in the country, it would be a constant battle. I plug Centipede when I get the chance, other than that, if it's green, I mow it.

Centipede is a waiting game... one day you wake up and it's everywhere and wants to know what you like in your coffee..
 
yeah you don't want to do weed and feed at the same time as seeding. the weed and feed will stop your seed from coming up.

If you want a good Fescue yard expect to seed and aerate once a year, every year, with monthly maintenance chemicals. It's not cheap. I hired a guy because I am terrible at it.
 
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Arizona Bermuda (Sonesta) by Scott’s . High traffic and drought resistant. You have to mix the seed with play sand in the spreader. Very tiny seed. I prepped my yard, tilled, made a weighted pallet and pulled behind the mower to level.
Followed the directions on the package. I had green peach fuzz in 11 days. Was playing badminton on it in 30 days.
Made a mistake and fertilized the yard. Had to cut the grass twice a week for a month and a half.
Tough grass, gotta keep up with sharpening blades on the mower.
 
I tried to keep weeds back this year but failed. I did notice the other day there is something coming up that appears to be grass popping up nice and thick all over the place. I’m going to let it go and see what happens.
 
@Pink_Vapor I'll have to find the bag (in the bin), but it's TLC turf type fescue, if I remember correctly
And fast acting lime
 
I only put a lot of money into seed, fertilizer, lime, etc for a fall lawn planting when I want a huge tropical system to come up from the Gulf and wash my investment down to Georgetown.

That said, both me and my main man at the local farm supply store agree the best stands of 31 Tall Fescue we've ever gotten was planted between Christmas and New Years.

I know, that's just all wrong. But it's worked for me. NW Piedmont, 1100' elevation, rocky soil.
 
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Which weed & feed was spread at which date? Depending on timing, it could prevent germination of your newly spread grass seed.

For tall fescue in western NC, start off the season with a soil sample in late summer. Spray weeds then also.
Core aerate and over seed at 75 degree soil temp, could be late September to October time frame. Then starter fert at recommended rate in soil sample. Only throw out lime if called for in soil sample.
Another starter fert in early spring around late March and spray a pre emergent for weeds, crab grass, etc.
Organic fertilizer with iron in late spring to early summer.
Repeat following year.
 
Where can I get a soil sample analyzed?

I’ve got moss in the back yard, so I’m sure it’s acidic, but don’t know what the rest of the yard needs. Would love to get 4 or 5 samples tested and bring the whole yard to the same point.
 
Where can I get a soil sample analyzed?

I’ve got moss in the back yard, so I’m sure it’s acidic, but don’t know what the rest of the yard needs. Would love to get 4 or 5 samples tested and bring the whole yard to the same point.

Useful link with address but there is a form you fill out and just ship it to that address or you can drop off in person. Depending time of year if they charge or not for them.

https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/soil-testing-for-lawns-and-gardens/
 
I can not say what weed and feed was used, about 3 weeks ago/before the seeding
 
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