New Grass

[Fanatical Meat]

i know I’m planting a bit late, I had a huge weed patch in one big area that I consistently can’t grow grass. I mean it always sprouts but never fills out and weeds just take over.
I’m sick & tired of the problem spot. I put down a mix of fast growing rye & slower but better bluegrass/fescue mix.
I also put some starter fertilizer one it, when should I reapply the starter fertilizer? I’ve read once per week, I’ve read just feed it once.
*Im pretty consistent about watering morning & late afternoon while it sprouts.
**Ive killed the weeds, I’m in the safe zone to replant. I removed the majority of the dead crap.

Any tips guys?
@pcgeek11 i think you’re pretty good with this stuff and thoughts?

 

[highland145]

Soil test.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Soil test.

I know, I keep forgetting to do that. The patch is surrounded by fairly healthy grass. I had a grub infestation 2 years ago that ruined this part of the lawn

 

[highland145]

I know, I keep forgetting to do that. The patch is surrounded by fairly healthy grass. I had a grub infestation 2 years ago that ruined this part of the lawn

Mole crickets destroyed part of mine. Went the cheap way and tried to re seed. Bumper crop of crab grass. The centipede started to sprout and then died out. I need to get several areas tested.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Mole crickets destroyed part of mine. Went the cheap way and tried to re seed. Bumper crop of crab grass. The centipede started to sprout and then died out. I need to get several areas tested.

I get ya. I’ve learned more about reading the labels of grass seed to find their production date, what percentage of weeds that are in the bag. God it’s so irritating. So many silly little things you can get caught on like my first error, using grass seed from Truvalue hardware that was 5 years old. Why was seed sitting on the shelf that is 5 years old?

 

[highland145]

lol because it was true value.

I just need to re sod the area but that's $2K for zoysia. Not going back with centipede.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

lol because it was true value.

I just need to re sod the area but that's $2K for zoysia. Not going back with centipede.

Be glad you have options, in Northeast it’s rye, bluegrass or fescue. That’s about it.

 

[highland145]

I want artificial but that's something like $12/sqft if done right. No mowing, edging, weed eating, fert, pest control, water....

 

[mindless1]

The more you put on each time, the less often it needs applied. Ideally you would put on a fraction of what the bag states, each week, but it's not that critical to do so, it needs no fertilizer until it spouts, obviously.

If applying according to the bag, once a month is more appropriate, unless this is a slope and there's enough rain to wash it away, then apply again after it rains.

Also look at the color of the blades. It will be lighter green when sprouting but should not be very pale, indicating it needs more nitrogen.

 

[paperfist]

I’d have to look at the bag for the right name, but that Scott’s stuff with fertilizer and moisture control turned me into a green thumb. Whenever I usually plant grass I end up with weeds. With Scott’s I was able to take my front lawn of about 15x10 from bare soil to the nicest lawn in the block.

 

[highland145]

I’d have to look at the bag for the right name, but that Scott’s stuff with fertilizer and moisture control turned me into a green thumb. Whenever I usually plant grass I end up with weeds. With Scott’s I was able to take my front lawn of about 15x10 from bare soil to the nicest lawn in the block.

Does that require sand and a covering of straw? Seed type?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Does that require sand and a covering of straw? Seed type?

I think that’s the scotts seed that has the blue coating. That’s the bluegrass mix I used

I think some of the rye grass has sprouted been 36 hours, kind of amazing

 

[highland145]

I think that’s the scotts seed that has the blue coating. That’s the bluegrass mix I used

I think some of the rye grass has sprouted been 36 hours, kind of amazing

That probably won't fly in the S.C. heat.

Yeah, centipede, bermuda or zoysia.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

That probably won't fly in the S.C. heat.

I confident Scott’s makes it in different blends. Basically the seed is coated in a fertilizer to make it grow quicker

 

[paperfist]

Does that require sand and a covering of straw? Seed type?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-...-Sun-and-Shade-Grass-Seed-Mix-17528/204687772

It was that stuff. Not cheap.

No sand, no straw. Birds didn’t seem to touch it at all when I planted it in the fall. I had 2 giant trees removed and after filling the holes with soil I just used a garden rake to make ‘divits’ and loosen the soil and put the Scotts down.

A year later I have a pretty green and thick lawn.

I think it’s Bermuda seed. They may have different types.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I think that’s the scotts seed that has the blue coating. That’s the bluegrass mix I used

I think some of the rye grass has sprouted been 36 hours, kind of amazing

That rye and fescue is what they use to reseed slopes after earthmoving/landscaping. Even down south. Trying to beat erosion.

 

[highland145]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-...-Sun-and-Shade-Grass-Seed-Mix-17528/204687772

It was that stuff. Not cheap.

No sand, no straw. Birds didn’t seem to touch it at all when I planted it in the fall. I had 2 giant trees removed and after filling the holes with soil I just used a garden rake to make ‘divits’ and loosen the soil and put the Scotts down.

A year later I have a pretty green and thick lawn.

I think it’s Bermuda seed. They may have different types.

Thanks. Don't necessarily want bermuda but it beats $2K for sod. Probably need to wait until the spring.

 

[paperfist]

I confident Scott’s makes it in different blends. Basically the seed is coated in a fertilizer to make it grow quicker

Yeah it looks a lot like what the highway dept around here sprays down on barren soil to grow grass.

I’ve tried the separate seed + straw + fertilizer before and I always frustratingly end up with weeds.

The Scotts stuff also turns brown (or green) to tell you it needs water.

 

[mxnerd]

I think some of the rye grass has sprouted been 36 hours, kind of amazing

Grass that sprouts that fast usually probably is annual. It probably will die in a few months.

==

My ryegrass all died in this hot summer except those under the trees, I plan to replace rye with bermuda in full sun area.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Grass that sprouts that fast usually probably is annual. It probably will die in a few months.

==

My ryegrass all died in this hot summer except those under the trees, I plan to replace rye with bermuda in full sun area.

Mistake, it was not grass

 

[bbhaag]

i know I’m planting a bit late, I had a huge weed patch in one big area that I consistently can’t grow grass. I mean it always sprouts but never fills out and weeds just take over.
I’m sick & tired of the problem spot. I put down a mix of fast growing rye & slower but better bluegrass/fescue mix.
I also put some starter fertilizer one it, when should I reapply the starter fertilizer? I’ve read once per week,
*Im pretty consistent about watering morning & late afternoon while it sprouts.
**Ive killed the weeds, I’m in the safe zone to replant. I removed the majority of the dead crap.

Any tips guys?
@pcgeek11 i think you’re pretty good with this stuff and thoughts?

That's not good enough man. Even after grass seed germinates it needs constant water for several weeks after and since you're doing this in the late summer/fall it might even need supplemental watering in the spring before the roots get fully established.
As far as starter fertilizer goes apply it once when the directions on the bag say it is the proper time. No need for a second or even third application. Honestly I think starter fertilizer is a gimmick but some guys swear by it.
Also stop buying Scotts products they are complete crap especially their grass seed. Scotts is the bottom of the barrel shoved out to the consumer by the box stores like Lowes and Home Depot who only care about the bottom line. Find a local place that sells a quality product. In my area it's a store called http://kellyseedco.com/ I'm sure you have a similar store in your area.

Just out of curiosity what type of site conditions do you have? Full sun(8+ hours of direct sunlight), part sun(4-6 hours of direct sunlight), or shade(filtered light-4 hours of direct sunlight)?
What is your soil composition like? Is it clay, black top soil, or sandy loam ect.?

 

[mxnerd]

Yeah. if you are seeding, you should water at least 3-4 times a day continuously for a month, best if you can use a hose timer like this

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Orbit-LCD-Single-Port-Hose-Faucet-Timer/16332345

Couple that with any hose sprinkler that's suitable for the area.

Don't stop watering just because you see the grass is already sprouting.

Also avoid watering by hand, you probably will wash grass seeds away and also forget to water.

==

By the way, rye & fescue won't spread.

 

[mxnerd]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-...-Sun-and-Shade-Grass-Seed-Mix-17528/204687772

It was that stuff. Not cheap.

I think it’s Bermuda seed. They may have different types.

Definitely not Bermuda. Bermuda need full sun.

Scotts Sun and Shade grass seeds are a mix of rye, fescue & bluegrass. I bought the package with seeds only, not with fertilizer and mulch. The mix grew pretty well and thick. They all died in this SoCAL extremely hot summer, however.

OP can try the mix in your Northeast area.

I also have good experience with Scotts Perennial Ryegrass seeds.


To OP: All Scotts seeds have blue coating, it does not make them bluegrass.

 

[paperfist]

Definitely not Bermuda. Bermuda need full sun.

Scotts Sun and Shade grass seeds are a mix of rye, fescue & bluegrass. I bought the package with seeds only, not with fertilizer and mulch. The mix grew pretty well and thick. They all died in this SoCAL extremely hot summer, however.

OP can try the mix in your Northeast area.

I also have good experience with Scotts Perennial Ryegrass seeds.


To OP: All Scotts seeds have blue coating, it does not make them bluegrass.

Hmm maybe it was Jamaican grass then... we had some crazy hot and humid heat here in the NE and mine survived. Fact I need to mow it, I think it’s knee level.

 

[mxnerd]

Hmm maybe it was Jamaican grass then... we had some crazy hot and humid heat here in the NE and mine survived. Fact I need to mow it, I think it’s knee level.

According to Scotts Representative's reply on HomeDepot website:

ScottsCustomerCare

March 14, 2018
Thank you for inquiring about Turf Builder EZSeed Sun and Shade Mix. This seed will grow fine in a clay soil, although we recommend a thin layer of topsoil to reduce water retention. The seed types available in this mix are:

1% Green Star Kentucky Bluegrass,
0.5% Avalanche Kentucky Bluegrass,
2% Silver Dollar Perenial Ryegrass,
0.5% Majesty II Perenial Ryegrass,
2% Wendy Jean Creeping Red Fescue,
1% Shademaster III Creeping Red Fescue.

So only 7% are seeds.

Creeping red fescue can grow pretty long.

h

My Sun and Shade mix / Perennial Rygrass can grow up to 9" when healthy.