#9123977 - 09/05/17 08:29 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: Wildout]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Thread revival...
So we have a backyard that is half dense shade and half part shade. We took down the previous owner's swingset this spring and raked up all of the wood chips, turned the soil and added topsoil. Did a few rounds of Scott's seed for shade/sun mix which they say is just fine for dense shade.
It grew in pretty well this spring but come July I noticed if I turned the lawnmower on it too rough (waited a good 6 weeks to mow over the new stuff), the grass would easily rip out and is a bit thin. I figure it's young and will grow deeper roots but it hasn't really. It seems like it has gotten thinner too.
Fast forward to yesterday. Had some people with their kids over and there was an area they were fucking around in and they basically managed to turn a section of grass into bare soil. This wasn't even the new seed but old grass. I went over to examine and the grass isn't even attached if but a little to the soil. Like I can just grab it and it comes right up with no effort and barely any soil attached. I think I could probably rake this section from the small 2x1 foot patch to about a 6x4 foot patch before it gets to grass that is somewhat rooted.
Upon reading first thought was grub worms but I dug around and found none. What should I do? Rake up that large patch and just reseed? Lightly rake in some topsoil over the new stuff and overseed it? Apply GrubEx for the hell of it? Aerate?
I want my lawn to be somewhat nice but shade always seems like more work. Tips appreciated!
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#9123995 - 09/05/17 08:48 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: Wildout]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Will do in the morning.
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#9124340 - 09/06/17 11:01 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: DooMer_WI]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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So here are the pictures. First one is the area I seeded this spring. Since the lawn is long, it doesn't show as much of the bare area. But its somewhat sparse. When we seeded, I did turn the soil up and throw down some top soil... So, do I just rake in some Scott's Seeding Soil and spread seed/water? Should I aerate?
Here is a sample of the grass that just comes up with basically no effort. The soil looks a little more loose than it was because I dug around looking for grubs. Notice how there is basically no dirt attached to the grass. It comes up almost like hay! If I rake this section up until it stops coming up easy, should I just turn up the soil and add soil and re-seed?
I'm wondering if before I even do anything if I should rent an aerator this weekend? I can guarantee the lazy-ass owners never did any amount of yard-work other than mowing before we moved in last fall.
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#9124674 - 09/06/17 02:30 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: DooMer_WI]
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Wildout
Post Master Jr
Registered: 11/26/07
Posts: 1767
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Ahh the pic helps a ton.
Basically this is what happens when one waters too often, the roots stay near the top of the soil instead of growing down instead to get the water. This isn't your fault as it's rained pretty much constantly this year.
To fix it, now is actually the best time in preparation for next year. You have to rake up as much as the dead grass that you can (do the whole yard), not just the one spot. There will be a lot of dead grass just the time of year & your lawn will look thinner, don't worry.
Aerate if you want, it's not necessary, but doesn't hurt. And re-seed & fertilize again now & again in 4 weeks. You need your lawn to thicken up. Cut more often as you don't want the current grass to shade out the new seed. Twice a week is fine, don't cut too low, for the look. Try the 2nd or 3rd highest height on your mower.
Costco has the massive bag of Scotts Sun & Shade for $62ish. I've seen it as low as $45 in-store.
https://www.costco.ca/Scotts-Turf-Builde....100368569.html
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#9124780 - 09/06/17 03:17 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: Wildout]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Thanks so much for the reply!
First off, if you haven't noticed, I live in Milwaukee. I actually found this thread by mistake searching all forums for "lawn", instead of Out There, which had a much less helpful thread last year that I was trying to find. So I ended up accidentally posting in Ontario, but we probably had very similar weather regardless; "cool", rainy summer. 
Anyhow, should I rake in topsoil into the areas where good grass remains? Or just lay down the seed/fertilizer and let it do its thing?
Also, an auxilary question, and I'm glad I waited before doing anything - Some areas of the lawn have some clover patches. I was actually going to spray weed and feed on the patches after the rain ends in the next day or so, but obviously if I'm overseeding the whole yard its probably not a good idea. Worry about the clover patches now or next year?
Thanks so much!
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#9125191 - 09/06/17 09:09 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: TYJelly]
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TYJelly
Post Master
Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 2160
Loc: Milton, ON
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Full growing season of Milorganite. Had to spot spray a few weeds in August, mostly clover. Had a bit of crabgrass come in but knocked it out with the Weed B Gone. I'll definitely be putting a pre-emergent down in spring.
Close-up.
Got to keep watering.
Decided to fill in some low spots and seeded with Kentucky Bluegrass. Best time of year to fix any problem areas.
Edited by TYJelly (09/06/17 09:18 PM)
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#9125194 - 09/06/17 09:10 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: TYJelly]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Excellent, I will be doing this after the inlaws visit this weekend (Sunday). My wife requested there at least be some semblance of grass for their first visit to the new place. 
Supposed to rain off and on through tomorrow night anyhow. Thanks guys!
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#9125244 - 09/06/17 09:52 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: TYJelly]
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DooMer_WI
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/06/01
Posts: 15211
Loc: Milwaukee, WI, USA
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I was going to post that.
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#9310757 - 04/27/18 09:08 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: xza8]
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spd-dmn
Post Master
Registered: 11/24/04
Posts: 2271
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Soooo.... whats a good pre emergent to use? Never done this step before.. is it too early?
I read its too early now to put down soring fertilizer.
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#9310825 - 04/27/18 10:19 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: Screamin' Type-R]
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furball
Post Master Sr
Registered: 09/24/03
Posts: 9548
Loc: Toronto, ON
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I wish I had photos from last summer ... I've never had my grass as perfect, beautiful, green, and consistent as ever...
I actually sat there like a Chinaman on a little stool, using my v-shaped weed tool extracting weeds  
Now the grass looks like shit again ... Time to overseed again... (I REALLY REALLY overseed...)
QUESTION: So, I have a swale in the backyard, AND it doesn't get much sun throughout the day ... it's always moist, and I routinely get moss 'n shit...
Fill that shit in to level it out? Construction/landscaping buddy says to leave it alone, as a swale is meant to channel water / etc / etc... But... it's in a real awkward location, and also where I enter the yard...
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#9311061 - 04/27/18 02:11 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: Big Tasty]
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LNXGUY
Tougher than Logan Roy
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 08/06/00
Posts: 107959
Loc: Barrie, Ont,
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I've got some 2,4D. When do I put this shit down? I've still got some snow in the back yard, lol.
_________________________
-Bill The GN would OWN you, your children and your children's children. Left foot, right foot, just keep moving!!! -Jeffrey P. Murphy 
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#9311423 - 04/28/18 07:30 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: LNXGUY]
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zaius
Post Master Sr
Registered: 04/30/05
Posts: 8744
Loc: Toronto
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I've got some 2,4D. When do I put this shit down? I've still got some snow in the back yard, lol.
if you’re planning on seeding, don’t spray the 2,4d. you need to wait at least 2-3 weeks after spraying.
if you’re seeding, wait until the 2nd or 3rd mowing of the new grass before throwing down the 2,4d. that’s going to be like at least a month.
_________________________
2003 dc5 typeS.
looks stock.
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#9311697 - 04/28/18 10:23 PM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: zaius]
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spd-dmn
Post Master
Registered: 11/24/04
Posts: 2271
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Sooo... pre emergents? Any good ones out there recommended? Other than typical boxstore products?
I want to kill eeeds early this year for a change lol
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#9312152 - 04/30/18 08:25 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: spd-dmn]
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zaius
Post Master Sr
Registered: 04/30/05
Posts: 8744
Loc: Toronto
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Sooo... pre emergents? Any good ones out there recommended? Other than typical boxstore products?
I want to kill eeeds early this year for a change lol
i think it's too late for pre emergents now. i see dandelions leaves popping up everywhere. FFFFFFFF
_________________________
2003 dc5 typeS.
looks stock.
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#9312197 - 04/30/18 09:14 AM
Re: now we have car detail, how about a thread for lawn detail?
[Re: zaius]
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LNXGUY
Tougher than Logan Roy
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 08/06/00
Posts: 107959
Loc: Barrie, Ont,
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Sooo... pre emergents? Any good ones out there recommended? Other than typical boxstore products?
I want to kill eeeds early this year for a change lol i think it's too late for pre emergents now. i see dandelions leaves popping up everywhere. FFFFFFFF
Nothing up here yet, I need to get that 2,4D down soon before my backyard turns into dandelion heaven like it did last year, lol.
_________________________
-Bill The GN would OWN you, your children and your children's children. Left foot, right foot, just keep moving!!! -Jeffrey P. Murphy
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