Go BottomSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
 | Pete
Join Date: Posts: 1 
|
2000-03-08 13572
I have several acres of Finish lawn that was beat by disease and drought last year, which I did nothing to last year. So now I have plugs of good grass surrounded by 8" to 12"`or more spaces of dead sod that this spring is like a dead matt that most of the old deep roots have rotted leaving about an inch of matt and root to deal with.I thought I would be able to use an OverSeeder on my tractor to slice and insert seed this spring, but the matt still looks too thick and fragile to support seeding.If this was a small yard I would power thatch it and remove all the matt, since it is over 3 acres of grass, I don't want to work that hard.Is there aanother way to do this and still save the good plugs of grass I have or do I have to just trash the whole thing by tilling, or using some other renovation device like a Harley Rake(only seen them on soil surfaces, not grass)?My wife chimes in that she thinks I need to figure out first what killed the lawn last year before I do anything. But I think I have to start now or I won't get the seed to grow before the heat(I have no water system, or adequate supply source to irrigate).Any advice from the TURF Pros out there appreciated.
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
|
2000-03-08 13573
Pete,
Sorry to say, I'm not a Turf "pro" but unfortunately I've had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time this winter questioning the pros, getting estimates, and reading about...well exactly what your up against. We have 2 acres of what you've described. Your question of a slit seeder...the answer is yes. Golf courses use slit seeder's all the time, and even at their worst, the turf is better than what I would expect to ever have. Secondly, our estimates to have it done professionally included the use of a slit seeder. I have been told..as a rule of thumb to use about 250lbs of grass seed per acre. One landscaper was nice enough to tell me that most lawns fail due because of poor choice in grass seed type and the practice of fertilizing but not liming. I agree with your wife, as far as having a soil analysis performed. These kits can be purchased inexpensively at your local co-op, extension office, fertiziler dealer, Agway, etc... It will pay for itself to know what is missing and what you have plenty of. No point in buying fertilizer and such with alot of something you don't need...and not enough of elements you do need. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you would like :) ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
 Pics
|
2000-03-09 13595
You are not in for as much work as you think, run a slit-seeder over the entire lawn, do NOT try to dig up the old turf, it will either make nice topsoil, or come back, grass is tougher than it seems. As for seed, the 250#/acre figure is about right, if you are concerned about germination a little top-dressing with soil before rolling the lawn will help. Let me know if you are unsure about something. Best of luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Pete
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13598
Murf,
Thanks for the feedback!
I am concerned with:
The dead turf while an inch thick is really loose, does't hold if you kick it with your foot.
I am afraid that the dead matt will suffocate the seed.
Is this not a concern?
....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
Pics
|
2000-03-09 13602
Pete, was this fresh sod that died or an existing lawn ? ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Pete
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13603
Murf,
This was an existing lawn that got beat by draught and "bugs" or "Disease" -- morning spider webs --. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
Pics
|
2000-03-09 13607
It should not be coming loose that fast, the roots should be still holding. Regardless, if it is laying loose on the surface, yes it should come off. Try not to take away any more topsoil than necessary with the dead turf. You will have to top-dress a few times to get it back to level. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| charlie
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13619
if the sod can be lifted that easily you could have a grub problem.a lawn that saw many years of care can form a mat,but one that hasn't been around that long could have other problems.have a lawn care company look at it before you spend a lot of time and money.slit seeding is the best way to repair damage.we've had walk behind machines for several years and they do a good job.i got a gandy slit seeder for the boomer last week,but havn't had a chance to try it out yet.good luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Pete
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13622
Charlie, It is not grubs this grass died last July during the draught, and I think it had leaf spot or whatever causes those misty spider web like things on the morning grass followed by yellowing and dying, so it has simply rotted over the winter, last fall it was firmly attached but dead. Got some nice clumps though in there
....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoSpring Lawn Renovation Advice
| Jim Youtz
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-03-09 13623
Those misty grey spider-web looking things sound like the lawn was killed by a rust (type of fungus) infection. If this is the case, you may have to apply funicide to rid the area of disease. I would definately have a turf specialist look at this BEFORE DOING ANY WORK OR INVESTING ONE PENNY, OTHERWISE YOU MAY BE SENDING GOOD $ AFTER BAD. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This