How to Fix a Weedy & Patchy Backyard

Work a niggling, h2o a lot — then enjoy!

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Time

Multiple Days

Complication

Beginner

Cost

$251-500

Introduction

Reseeding is a chore you can exercise on a weekend if y'all have an boilerplate-sized lawn. Yous'll have to wrestle home a couple of engine-powered rental machines. One time your work is done, be prepared to keep the soil damp with daily watering for the first month or then. It's the fundamental to a successful reseeding job.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Broadleaf herbicide
  • Grass seed
  • Backyard starter fertilizer

weedy lawn Family unit Handyman

Can Yous Save the Existing Grass?

The steps we show here are for a backyard that's at least fifty percent grass.

Take a shut expect at the lawn. If you see plenty of healthy grass among the weeds or large areas of practiced grass throughout the lawn, y'all can save the existing grass and fill in the rest by planting new seed. That calls for applying a broadleaf herbicide, which kills the weeds without harming the grass. It should be applied 3 to four weeks earlier starting the projection. A hose-end sprayer with concentrated weed killer is the fastest and easiest awarding method (photo with Stride ii).

But if your backyard is hopelessly bare or completely covered with weeds, it's best to go "scorched earth" and kill all the vegetation with a nonselective herbicide and start over. If afterwards ii weeks some weeds reappear, apply another treatment.

Project step-by-footstep (9)

Stride i

Project Prep

Reseeding can exist a crapshoot. A big thunderstorm could wash your seed abroad, so pay attention to long-range forecasts and plan accordingly. That's specially true if your thou is sloped enough that it doesn't accept much h2o to wash away the seed.

  • Earlier you beginning the soil prep, set your mower to its everyman setting and give your chiliad a buzz cut.

Step 2

Impale the Weeds

  • Employ a hose-end sprayer to spray the lawn with a broadleaf weed killer at to the lowest degree three weeks before you institute the new grass seed.
  • Wear middle protection, gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, long pants and waterproof shoes.

Step 3

Aerate the Soil

Aerators pull pocket-size plugs from the soil and deposit them on the surface. That loosens the soil, making it easier for roots to grow deep into the soil. The plugs will exist pulverized in the next pace — power raking — to form loose soil for the seeds to germinate in. The holes you create will permit fertilizer and h2o to penetrate deep into the soil for better retention.

  • When you're using a core aerator to prepare the soil for reseeding, the primal is to make at least three passes — more if y'all have the stamina — each from a different direction.

Step four

Prepare the Surface

Power rakes spin metal tines at loftier speed to scarify and loosen the soil likewise every bit break up the aerator plugs. They as well lift thatch from your lawn.

  • Go over the whole lawn from ii directions.
  • Rake upward and remove dead droppings if it completely covers the footing and might prevent seed from contacting the soil.

Step 5

Seeding

  • In virtually cases, a circulate spreader is the all-time option considering information technology evenly distributes seed or fertilizer for thorough coverage. Spread seed with a broadcast spreader in large areas away from gardens.
  • If you have a big k bordered by flower beds or vegetable gardens, use a drop spreader to spread the seed nearly them before doing the majority of the 1000 with a broadcast spreader. Since the seed drops straight down, you won't be casting grass seed in your gardens past mistake. When using the drop spreader effectually border gardens, overlap subsequent passes slightly for more fifty-fifty seed distribution.
  • Whichever spreader you use, set the feed rate at half (or less) of the recommended charge per unit.
    • Pro tip : When using the broadcast or drop spreader for the open up areas, make ii or more passes from different directions for fifty-fifty distribution. This is especially truthful when you're using a driblet spreader and so you don't wind upward with a striped backyard. If y'all don't ain a broadcast spreader, buy one — don't rent it. Y'all'll need it to keep your new lawn in tip-superlative shape after it'southward established.

Stride vi

Rake in the Seed

  • Applying too much or besides little seed is a fault.
    • Pro tip: Picture a foursquare inch of area on a freshly-seeded area and count the seeds. Aim for about 15 or so seeds per foursquare inch.
  • After spreading, lightly rake the seed into the soil for good contact. Information technology doesn't take to be completely cached. Some of the seed tin can still be showing.

Step vii

Distribute the Fertilizer

Fertilizers are used to contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Simply due to water pollution concerns, many states no longer allow phosphorus in ordinary lawn fertilizers. Yet, phosphorus is helpful for root development, so it's of import for starting new seed.

  • At the garden center, wait for a fertilizer labeled "Starter" or "New Lawns." Your state may allow its sale for establishing new lawns or in gardens.
  • Spread starter fertilizer over the yard. Follow the directions on the bag to make up one's mind how many pounds per 1,000 sq. ft.

Step viii

Water Daily

An oscillating sprinkler works best for getting your lawn started. It covers a big area with even, light streams of water to prevent washing abroad seed. You'll merely need to water for about 20 minutes at a fourth dimension depending on your soil type. Unless it rains, you'll probable demand to water at least twice daily. On hot or windy days, you lot may need to water even more than frequently.

  • Closely monitor the soil to keep it damp, not saturated. Strive to maintain soil dampness to a depth of about 1/ii-in. You'll demand to exercise this for at least iii weeks. If y'all're non diligent, you may throw away all your hard work and coin. One dry, hot sunny day is all it takes to wipe out a new backyard.
    • Pro tip : A $25 timer for your hose, available at any garden or home middle, might be helpful if you tin't exist abode to water as needed. Later on the grass is three inches loftier, yous can outset mowing and begin a normal watering authorities.

Footstep 9

Soil Watering Gauge

Your goal should exist to water to a depth of 1/ii-in.

  • Equally a test, h2o for nearly 20 minutes, then bulldoze a spade into the ground and expect for the dark line about the surface indicating water penetration. That will tell you if you should water for longer or shorter periods.

soil watering gauge

Originally Published: March thirteen, 2022