Run-down Lawn: When to Call a Do-Over
Season after season, the joy of spring also brought deep sighs of frustration. No matter what I did to try to repair my problem lawn - reseeding, patching bare spots, fertilizing, applying weed control products - in the end I was always left with the mess I inherited when I purchased my home. And, as mostly dirt and dandelions, it was far from a yard I could be proud of. So after one last hard look at my lawn, I knew it was time for a renovation.
If you suspect you're in the same beyond-repair boat and are ready for a fresh start, read on. You'll see it's not so bad to start over - and soon the new beauty of your property will inspire your sighs.
Total Lawn Renovation
Total lawn renovation means getting rid of any existing grass and weeds in your yard area and starting with a clean slate to establish a lawn much more to your liking. Here are some telltale signs that it's better to stop battling with your yard and begin anew:
- Overpopulation of perennial weeds that seem impossible to control
- Thinning, worn and dull-looking grass
- Bare spots that won't fill in
- Repeated disease or insect damage
The Steps To New and Improved
You don't want to have to do over your do-over. So get your grass off on the right foot by following these steps.
Renovate at the right time. Because you'll be planting new grass, for best results you should begin your renovation according to recommendations for your region. Typically, cool-season grasses should be planted in early fall, while warm-season grasses do best planted in late spring. Click here to learn more about the right grasses for your region.
Bid the bad stuff good-bye. Your existing grass - and the weeds that go with it - are causing you problems, so get rid of it all. Kill-off your lawn and weeds by spraying a nonselective herbicide, such as glyphosate, over the renovation area. To be sure you've gotten rid of those bad boys, consider reapplying the herbicide after waiting a few days. Keep in mind, you may have to wait a week or more before the herbicide takes full effect.
Loosen, remove and smooth. When your grass and weeds are dead, it's time to get down and dirty. First, use a dethatching rake (or for greater ease, rent a power rake) to get in deep, loosen your soil and pull out the dead stuff. Then, aerate the soil so it's in prime shape for planting and watering. Finally, rake away the grass, weeds, plugs and any other debris, while creating a nice, smooth planting area.
Choose your planting plan. Your soil is prepped for planting, but should you seed or sod? It really depends on your yard conditions (sod does better in sun) and your patience level (obviously, sod gives instant grass gratification). If you seed, use the amount recommended for establishing a new lawn, and apply a starter fertilizer after planting. With either seed or sod, be diligent about watering to keep the area moist.
Go heavy on the lawn TLC. When your lawn is established (about three to four weeks or three-plus inches of growth) make sure to follow proper lawn maintenance to keep it thick and healthy - just like you've always dreamed of. Keep it up and you can let go of your old lawn nightmares. Happy sigh!
