Luca said:
@Flint
Sorry for asking, but why is regular mowing so important beyond just making it look nice?
For some grass types, it helps the grass spread out and fill in bare spots, like Bermuda grass.
Also, it can stop certain types of weeds from spreading by preventing them from seeding.
Luca said:
@Flint
Sorry for asking, but why is regular mowing so important beyond just making it look nice?
That’s not a silly question. Regular mowing with a sharp blade lessens the stress on the plants and encourages side growth, which helps fill in the thin areas.
Fertilize, water, mow. See what happens over the next couple of months, then adjust for next year (check for any weeds, diseases, or pests that show up, etc.). Consider using pre-emergent next year and do a soil test later this year if needed.
That’s a lot of thatch. For a quick fix, get a dethatcher (you can buy an electric one, rent, or if your space is under 1000 square feet and you’re fit, get a manual one). First mow low, dethatch, mow again to pick up all the thatch, overseed, and use the back of a rake to mix the seeds into the soil. If you want to save money, it’s good to get some topsoil and spread it before seeding and then rake it in. Water at least twice a day. You should water every time the top layer dries out, so around 3-5 times a day. This is just to start and will get you going. Once you get the hang of lawn care, you can do more like core aeration or a full renovation.
You could also spray a product before mowing. If you plan on doing lawn care for a while, investing in good equipment is a big deal. A backpack sprayer makes a huge difference. A good broadcast spreader also helps a lot.
Use fertilizer and mow properly. Wait for fall, loosen the soil, apply seed, and water a lot. Then fertilize a week or two later.
When spring comes, you’ll have a nice lawn.
Lyle said:
Use fertilizer and mow properly. Wait for fall, loosen the soil, apply seed, and water a lot. Then fertilize a week or two later.
When spring comes, you’ll have a nice lawn.
What’s the best way to loosen soil?
@Misha
Aeration and a metal rake work well.
Lyle said:
Use fertilizer and mow properly. Wait for fall, loosen the soil, apply seed, and water a lot. Then fertilize a week or two later.
When spring comes, you’ll have a nice lawn.
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
Tate said:
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
Isn’t roundup known to be harmful?
Tate said:
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
Isn’t roundup known to be harmful?
There’s only weak evidence to suggest that, and I recommend not drinking it and using standard protective equipment.
Tate said:
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
Isn’t roundup known to be harmful?
Yes, but you can use it even if you aren’t concerned about health risks.
Tate said:
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
I’d support a full lawn renovation in the fall too, but since he’s a complete beginner, it might help to practice for at least one full season.
Tate said:
Personally, I would wait for fall and spray the whole thing with roundup and reseed it.
Water it, fertilize it, and mow it regularly. That’s all you really need to do.
Toby said:
Water it, fertilize it, and mow it regularly. That’s all you really need to do.
You could do a bit more than that, but yes, these are the basic steps.
Toby said:
Water it, fertilize it, and mow it regularly. That’s all you really need to do.
You could do a bit more than that, but yes, these are the basic steps.
I’m just trying to keep it simple for newcomers.
Mow as low as is safe to cut. Add a mix of top soil and sand. Seed it, then water every 8 minutes every 8 hours for 3 weeks.
Dethatch, use premium top soil, seed with tall fescue, use starter fertilizer, and water 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes.
I’m a bit new too and had a lawn in Oregon that looked just like this. Here’s what I did.