Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application

[Rods79]

I need some expert advice. My grass just keeps dying further and further out in this part of my back yard. The completely bare ground near the house was backfilled once and overseeded twice last year and absolutely nothing came up but a couple weeds. I backfilled it because grass wouldn’t grow that I laid down two years ago. The portion that still had grass was aerated and overseeded once last year. It faces south below a 5x5 picture window, if that matters.

The rest of the back yard isn’t perfect by any means but I don’t have any other huge areas like this completely dead.

View attachment 103282

We’ve had a hard dry couple of years, and this faces south. Plenty of things it could be, but what’s your watering schedule…just let it go in the summer with no irrigation and hope it comes back? What kind of seed did you try putting down…home center or professional commercial quality? Ruled out grub damage?

 

[AgronAlum]

We’ve had a hard dry couple of years, and this faces south. Plenty of things it could be, but what’s your watering schedule…just let it go in the summer with no irrigation and hope it comes back? What kind of seed did you try putting down…home center or professional commercial quality? Ruled out grub damage?

In the back, I basically put down enough water to keep stuff alive. Maybe 5-6 times this year. We’ve got 3 smaller kids and a 100lb dog so keeping things perfect isn’t really possible. There are two decent sized trees and a trampoline that filter light south of this spot.

The seed has been some Earl May Midwest blend, Scott’s Sun and Shade and whatever A+ puts down when they aerate.

I did lay down grub control two years ago but haven’t since.

It’s a little spotty but this is the rest of the back yard. The middle is crappy because of a pool experiment gone wrong a few years ago. I did go through the work to till and reseed it but the next weekend was when Ankeny got hit with 12 inches of rain and got flooded out. You can still kinda see the circle because it has never fully filled in.

 

[mynameisjonas]

I need some expert advice. My grass just keeps dying further and further out in this part of my back yard. The completely bare ground near the house was backfilled once and overseeded twice last year and absolutely nothing came up but a couple weeds. I backfilled it because grass wouldn’t grow that I laid down two years ago. The portion that still had grass was aerated and overseeded once last year. It faces south below a 5x5 picture window, if that matters.

The rest of the back yard isn’t perfect by any means but I don’t have any other huge areas like this completely dead.

View attachment 103282

I’m not an expert, but I would till a good chunk of that area, add a thin layer of top soil and seed and water 3 times a day for 2 weeks.

 

[Rods79]

In the back, I basically put down enough water to keep stuff alive. Maybe 5-6 times this year. We’ve got 3 smaller kids and a 100lb dog so keeping things perfect isn’t really possible. There are two decent sized trees and a trampoline that filter light south of this spot.

The seed has been some Earl May Midwest blend, Scott’s Sun and Shade and whatever A+ puts down when they aerate.

I did lay down grub control two years ago but haven’t since.

It’s a little spotty but this is the rest of the back yard. The middle is crappy because of a pool experiment gone wrong a few years ago. I did go through the work to till and reseed it but the next weekend was when Ankeny got hit with 12 inches of rain and got flooded out. You can still kinda see the circle because it has never fully filled in.

View attachment 103284

Yeah, it looks like there’s some older strains of clumping tall fescue hanging on in the fringes. Kentucky Bluegrass takes the heat and stress hard…assuming it has just compounded over time in an area it doesn’t quite like.

Have you run a soil test in that area alone? If not, do that too so you know you’ve got the proper soil conditions and there isn’t anything crazy with that. That’ll keep you from wasting product as well.

In the meantime I would get a grass strain in there that is better with heat/drought (75% Turf-type Tall Fescue strains, 25% Ky Bluegrass strains) from a dedicated seed company and baby it with peat moss/seed mulch covering, 12-12-12 starter fert, and water twice a day for a couple weeks. Take advantage of some of the rainfall headed our way and keep the traffic off it. ( Edit- Before laying down seed, take prep time to rake up the area to rough up the surface with a metal rake to get good seed-to-soil contact)

These guys are in the east side. I’d probably go with a mix of 4th Millennium/Valkyrie and Everest, or go with their preblended TTTF like Super Shot II and Everest. As tempting as it may be, stay away from the darker blends (like Snap Back and Midnight on their site) if you’re trying to blend back with the rest of the turf:

United Seeds

United Seeds provides custom mixes and blends of top seeds.

unitedseeds.com

Another online outlet, Ryan Knorr (runs a YouTube channel in the Des Moines area):

Grass Seed – Ryan Knorr Lawn Care

ryanknorrlawncare.com

 

[psychlone99]

Any business recommendations for fall aerating and overseeding in the DM metro? I've been using A+ and I'm done with them. Last year they sent out some new kid the day after some heavy rains, and he tore up my yard so bad it looked like I had hosted a monster truck rally. This year they came out and forgot to aerate a large portion of my front yard, and missed the overseeding entirely (yet still build my credit card). Ready for a new service.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

I need some expert advice. My grass just keeps dying further and further out in this part of my back yard. The completely bare ground near the house was backfilled once and overseeded twice last year and absolutely nothing came up but a couple weeds. I backfilled it because grass wouldn’t grow that I laid down two years ago. The portion that still had grass was aerated and overseeded once last year. It faces south below a 5x5 picture window, if that matters.

The rest of the back yard isn’t perfect by any means but I don’t have any other huge areas like this completely dead.

View attachment 103282

Bet you clover would grow there

 

[NickTheGreat]

Any business recommendations for fall aerating and overseeding in the DM metro? I've been using A+ and I'm done with them. Last year they sent out some new kid the day after some heavy rains, and he tore up my yard so bad it looked like I had hosted a monster truck rally. This year they came out and forgot to aerate a large portion of my front yard, and missed the overseeding entirely (yet still build my credit card). Ready for a new service.

Sounds like the A+ I had out. The only thing they could do timely and well was their billings.

I have had good luck the Devries in general but haven't aerated with them.

 

[NoCreativity]

A+ missed a section of my yard also when they aerated.

 

[cycloner29]

Got some fertilizer down on Friday morning. Aerated my yard a couple of weeks ago and then watered my after that to get the root zone going.

Had a low spot around 1’ x 2’ that I’ve put off doing anything but almost sprain an ankle every time I mow. Friday morning cut that section up and put some dirt from down to get it leveled out. We got over an inch of rain yesterday in Ames so I am pretty happy to get ahead of the game on my yard. I may put down more fertilizer in late in Oct early November.

 

[cyfreddy]

Yeah, it looks like there’s some older strains of clumping tall fescue hanging on in the fringes. Kentucky Bluegrass takes the heat and stress hard…assuming it has just compounded over time in an area it doesn’t quite like.

Have you run a soil test in that area alone? If not, do that too so you know you’ve got the proper soil conditions and there isn’t anything crazy with that. That’ll keep you from wasting product as well.

In the meantime I would get a grass strain in there that is better with heat/drought (75% Turf-type Tall Fescue strains, 25% Ky Bluegrass strains) from a dedicated seed company and baby it with peat moss/seed mulch covering, 12-12-12 starter fert, and water twice a day for a couple weeks. Take advantage of some of the rainfall headed our way and keep the traffic off it. ( Edit- Before laying down seed, take prep time to rake up the area to rough up the surface with a metal rake to get good seed-to-soil contact)

These guys are in the east side. I’d probably go with a mix of 4th Millennium/Valkyrie and Everest, or go with their preblended TTTF like Super Shot II and Everest. As tempting as it may be, stay away from the darker blends (like Snap Back and Midnight on their site) if you’re trying to blend back with the rest of the turf:

United Seeds

United Seeds provides custom mixes and blends of top seeds.

unitedseeds.com

Another online outlet, Ryan Knorr (runs a YouTube channel in the Des Moines area):

Grass Seed – Ryan Knorr Lawn Care

ryanknorrlawncare.com

So where is the best place to buy the grass seed you mentioned above.

 

[FallOf81]

Any business recommendations for fall aerating and overseeding in the DM metro? I've been using A+ and I'm done with them. Last year they sent out some new kid the day after some heavy rains, and he tore up my yard so bad it looked like I had hosted a monster truck rally. This year they came out and forgot to aerate a large portion of my front yard, and missed the overseeding entirely (yet still build my credit card). Ready for a new service.

Assuming you're physically able to...Why don't you do it yourself? Save money and do it right.

 

[cyfan21]

Any business recommendations for fall aerating and overseeding in the DM metro? I've been using A+ and I'm done with them. Last year they sent out some new kid the day after some heavy rains, and he tore up my yard so bad it looked like I had hosted a monster truck rally. This year they came out and forgot to aerate a large portion of my front yard, and missed the overseeding entirely (yet still build my credit card). Ready for a new service.

Same thing happened to me last fall. I’d share the pictures if I could (they are too large). I called and complained enough that they replaced the ripped up sod.

I’m using weedman now and they do a decent job. Plus they invoice you after their service instead of charging your card.

 

[Rods79]

So where is the best place to buy the grass seed you mentioned above.

See links at the bottom of my post you quoted. United Seeds has a physical storefront in East Des Moines if you’re in the area, so you can order online and pick up there. Ryan Knorr is all online-ship to door.

Outside of that, I’ve seen separate strain, straight seed at Bomgaars. Probably also at Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply Co. if one of those are nearby, but I haven’t been there to check. Earl May blends are probably pretty good, but you’re limited to their mixes. Other retail landscape stores should have good seed.

I would just avoid any Scott’s blends or anything similar from the big box Home Centers...just more expensive for potentially lesser quality seed (ie more weed seed, older stock, or unnecessary additives). They’re ok in a pinch, but not something I’d want to put down regularly or to do an extensive overseed/renovation. Also, if you want to pick your strains, you’re not going to get that at the box store.

 

[cyfreddy]

See links at the bottom of my post you quoted. United Seeds has a physical storefront in East Des Moines if you’re in the area, so you can order online and pick up there. Ryan Knorr is all online-ship to door.

Outside of that, I’ve seen separate strain, straight seed at Bomgaars. Probably also at Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply Co. if one of those are nearby, but I haven’t been there to check. Earl May blends are probably pretty good, but you’re limited to their mixes. Other retail landscape stores should have good seed.

I would just avoid any Scott’s blends or anything similar from the big box Home Centers...just more expensive for potentially lesser quality seed (ie more weed seed, older stock, or unnecessary additives). They’re ok in a pinch, but not something I’d want to put down regularly or to do an extensive overseed/renovation. Also, if you want to pick your strains, you’re not going to get that at the box store.

Thank you for the information!

 

[Pope]

I decided to bite the bullet this fall and spend $118 on a Sun Pro electric dethatcher. It works great and is light and easy to use. Comes with a dethatcher and also a scarifier which cuts the lines into the soil to break it up and provide a good bed for over seeding. No more renting!

https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/52875412?page=2

 

[thisISnextyear]

I decided to bite the bullet this fall and spend $118 on a Sun Pro electric dethatcher. It works great and is light and easy to use. Comes with a dethatcher and also a scarifier which cuts the lines into the soil to break it up and provide a good bed for over seeding. No more renting!

https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/52875412?page=2

I grossly underestimated the amount of thatch this thing would pull up out of my lawn. Worked great though!

 

[khardbored]

WHAT IS THIS!?!?!?!?



AND HOW DO I GET RID OF IT?!?!? - without killing the "good" grass.

It's kind of like a very thin vine growing just under the surface.

(Context: a lot of my lawn in on a slope and can die pretty easy in the summer. A portion that had a lot of grass die off this year is kind of hard-ground. This stuff if growing in where the healthy grass meets the dead patch.)

 

[Donqluione]

WHAT IS THIS!?!?!?!?

View attachment 103795

AND HOW DO I GET RID OF IT?!?!? - without killing the "good" grass.

It's kind of like a very thin vine growing just under the surface.

(Context: a lot of my lawn in on a slope and can die pretty easy in the summer. A portion that had a lot of grass die off this year is kind of hard-ground. This stuff if growing in where the healthy grass meets the dead patch.)

Kinda looks like nimblewill, which is a perennial grass, but nimblewill tends to be clumpy while spreading via stolens, and by hitching a ride on your mower. Google it, compare a couple of photos to what you have.

I think the only way to kill it is a herbicide called Tenacity, expensive but only takes a very small quantity per gallon of spray. Takes a couple of weeks to show results, turns white and then dies. May take a couple applications to get it all since it hides in the "real" grass. Some of the bluegrass may also turn white, generally recovers. But don't press your luck by overdosing.

 

[Donqluione]

I need some expert advice. My grass just keeps dying further and further out in this part of my back yard. The completely bare ground near the house was backfilled once and overseeded twice last year and absolutely nothing came up but a couple weeds. I backfilled it because grass wouldn’t grow that I laid down two years ago. The portion that still had grass was aerated and overseeded once last year. It faces south below a 5x5 picture window, if that matters.

The rest of the back yard isn’t perfect by any means but I don’t have any other huge areas like this completely dead.

View attachment 103282

Looks to me like a clay problem, I'd apply some gypsum spring/fall for a couple years. Can't hurry soil amendments much, that's what has helped for me but I'm neither an agronomist or turf maintenance specialist, others may have different opinions/experiences.

Can't solve soil issues simply by throwing down more seed or fertilizer. Would be a good idea to have soil tests done, if you want to actually want to take a tech approach instead of just trying random internet advice.

 

[JM4CY]

Been dry as heck lately. No real rain projected the next ten days so yard looks pretty bleak. Still want to put some fertilizer heavy with nitrogen on before winter. I plan to water the yard real good then wait a day, put on fertilizer, then water a little more. Is this a good plan of a attack or am I wasting my time?