Too late for reseeding? Help!!!

Durt Ferguson · 09-29-2010, 08:41 AM

So we bought our house in June. The previous owner had 3 dogs, who all liked to pee in one corner of the yard. That corner now has no grass, and the ground is very firm. The rest of the lawn has a fair amount of crabgrass, but is not bare.

I am having back surgery on Monday, I will not be able to do much yard work for the rest of the year (I can mow again in 4 weeks). So it's do it now, call a friend to come help me in a couple weeks, or wait until next year. Temperatures right now are low 70's for another week max, then we'll be getting into colder temperatures, we get tons of rain here (more rainy days than not), and the frost will begin forming in a month or so.

What should I do, and when should I do it? Should I go buy some seed, and lay it down in just the bare area this weekend, or seed the whole lawn evenly? Should I attempt to break up the firm bare area first? Or should I wait until next spring? I will be getting TruGreen service for next year to get the weeds and such under control and to fertilize.

Durt Ferguson · 09-29-2010, 10:27 AM

Anyone? Time is a major factor (just scheduled the surgery yesterday)!

kredman · 09-29-2010, 12:23 PM

I plan on reseeding this weekend. My local garden center said to make sure it's within then next 2 weeks, otherwise wait.

Mr Chips · 09-29-2010, 03:23 PM

you can put seed down ANYTIME, it will germinate when conditions are right, as long as the birds don't eat it all first. Now is a great time to seed, it's a little late, bud depending on local conditions and type of seed, you may have wiskers by halloween. Keep it wet, water breifly eveyday it doesn't rain for next 3-4 weeks

kredman · 09-30-2010, 10:35 AM

This is a great resource for Indiana residents:
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/turftips.html

Quote:

New turf tips will be added regularly during the growing season. If you need help that is not covered in our current Turf Tips, search our past Turf Tips in the box above right. The following recommendations are for the state of Indiana and may not apply to turf areas outside of Indiana.

Quote:

Should I seed right now?

It is not too late to seed, but it is past the optimum window due to the fact that we will start experiencing cooler weather soon which will slow down the growth of turf and thus take longer for seeded areas to establish and fill-in.
Thin areas with 4 inch or smaller gaps in turf can be overcome with aggressive fall fertilization. Lawns with larger gaps in turf should be reseeded.
Droughty, unirrigated areas can be reseeded now and they will establish once consistent rains return. Alternatively, droughty areas can be reseeded now and irrigated at least twice daily by homeowners.
Consider using a starter fertilizer in reseeded areas to help with establishment.
If a herbicide has been applied to these areas within the past month it could hinder seedling establishment. Additionally, most herbicides require that newly seeded turf be mown 1-2 times prior to a herbicide application. Please read the specific herbicide label for the product you are considering using to learn more about seeding restrictions.
Will new seedling be more likely to winterkill? Maybe. Tall fescue seeded late (past mid-October) will not be very developed and will be more likely to winterkill, especially in Northern Indiana. Kentucky bluegrass seedlings typically will not suffer any winter injury.

moopey · 09-30-2010, 12:57 PM

i'd like to do this also. im in massachusetts. is it too late for me?

Durt Ferguson · 09-30-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moopey

i'd like to do this also. im in massachusetts. is it too late for me?

Nope, it's never too late for a lil back surgery.

Allison1888 · 10-01-2010, 09:20 PM

It's not too late, but just realize you will have to water it twice a day for the first few weeks, assuming no rain. Not sure if you'll be able to do that or can find a neighborhood kid to help. Also, add peat moss on top to keep in moisture and keep away those pesky birds.

1910NE · 10-01-2010, 10:50 PM

i planted some new seed in some good loam two weeks ago (Southern Maine) and already have some new grass showing. Watered it a bunch, and the recent rain helped too!

09-29-2010, 08:41 AM	#1
Durt Ferguson Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Endicott, NY Posts: 121	Too late for reseeding? Help!!! So we bought our house in June. The previous owner had 3 dogs, who all liked to pee in one corner of the yard. That corner now has no grass, and the ground is very firm. The rest of the lawn has a fair amount of crabgrass, but is not bare. I am having back surgery on Monday, I will not be able to do much yard work for the rest of the year (I can mow again in 4 weeks). So it's do it now, call a friend to come help me in a couple weeks, or wait until next year. Temperatures right now are low 70's for another week max, then we'll be getting into colder temperatures, we get tons of rain here (more rainy days than not), and the frost will begin forming in a month or so. What should I do, and when should I do it? Should I go buy some seed, and lay it down in just the bare area this weekend, or seed the whole lawn evenly? Should I attempt to break up the firm bare area first? Or should I wait until next spring? I will be getting TruGreen service for next year to get the weeds and such under control and to fertilize.

09-29-2010, 10:27 AM	#2
Durt Ferguson Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Endicott, NY Posts: 121	Too late for reseeding? Help!!! Anyone? Time is a major factor (just scheduled the surgery yesterday)!

09-29-2010, 12:23 PM	#3
kredman Graphics Specialist Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 49	Too late for reseeding? Help!!! I plan on reseeding this weekend. My local garden center said to make sure it's within then next 2 weeks, otherwise wait.

09-29-2010, 03:23 PM	#4
Mr Chips DIY Hack Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Location, Location Posts: 1,296	Too late for reseeding? Help!!! you can put seed down ANYTIME, it will germinate when conditions are right, as long as the birds don't eat it all first. Now is a great time to seed, it's a little late, bud depending on local conditions and type of seed, you may have wiskers by halloween. Keep it wet, water breifly eveyday it doesn't rain for next 3-4 weeks __________________ Those who can, do... Those who can't criticize on the internet

09-30-2010, 12:57 PM	#6
moopey Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 77	Too late for reseeding? Help!!! i'd like to do this also. im in massachusetts. is it too late for me?

Too late for reseeding? Help!!!