what are the steps i need to take to rebuild my lawn?
yard is a blank slate, some grass mostly weeds but nothing too bad. i'm thinking of busting up the yard with a sod buster, tilling it, liing down fertilizier, and lime. tilling it again, making sure the yard is level, seeding, and topping off with hay. and living in north jersey what would you recommend for grass? it does get shade from neighbors trees. but i would say its its about 60% shade to 40% sun during the curse of the day. thanks for any help you can give
Russell2008-04-30T19:05:26Z
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With the gas prices being what they are, it might be just as costly to sod the lawn. If you are going to till it, I would not till very deeply. That would bring more weed seed to the surface for germination.
If your lawn is not that big, I would use a hoe to get rid of the weeds. Then use a garden rake, not a leaf rake, to lightly break up the soil. Then I would broadcast the grass seeds liberally, but don't over-do it. Afterwards, rake again then press the soil and seeds together using a roller or by simply walking over every inch of the lawn.
Water lightly for several days. Then when the grass sprouts only water every other day. Some people say to water every day after it sprouts, but in my opinion the roots need to "learn" from the beginning to search for water. This will make them grow deep in the soil.
Mow only when the grass reaches its prefered height even if most of it still looks like it is patchy in places. It will even out in no time.
I don't usually fertilize unless I know the soil is in bad shape. Even then, I try to use composted organic matter - leaves, grass, etc.
I have done this several times and it works every time. It does look pitiful for a while....
We moved into a house where the yard was pretty much weed and flowers in weird spots. (thats what we get for buying when the snow is still on the ground) We decided to let things go the first year, just to see what was there - but we pulled what we didnt like. The next spring we aerated, overseeded and watered like crazy. In the fall, we fertilized and overseeded again. the next year we fertilized in spring, overseeded and watered again, then in fall lightly seeded and pulled any last weeds/crabgrass. This year, it looks like we will get to sit back and enjoy our nice thick green grass.
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