I have(central Indiana) many bald spots in my yard due to mixing a grass killer in a Roundup sprayer applicator bottle and leaving the bottle stay around too long and using it. I won't make that mistake again. My plan is to scrape out all the dead grass and patch it with a mixture of matching bluegrass blend and top soil. I purchased 40 lb bags of topsoil and need to know how much seed to mix into the 40 lb bags. Can you help? thanks.
Grass seed should be planted on top of the dirt, lightly tamped and lightly covered with straw.
If I were you (been there before), I would level the areas using the topsoil you have purchased, spread 10-10-10 fertilizer at the recommended rate, sprinkle the grass seed at 2 times the recommended rate for new lawns (the birds have to eat), cover with straw and keep it damp for a week until I see green then water every 3-5 days based on local conditions. This is the ideal time for your area.
Best wishes
Colbyt
Thanks for the advice. So you wouldn't recommend pre-minxing the grass seed into the topsoil before application?
NOPE!
I gave you my best advice based on 30+ years of grass growing experience and following advice given by persons more experienced than myself. On top the ground and tamped works in this part of the country. I answer question in this group in an attempt to repay those many kind souls who helped me when I asked.
Colbyt
BTW, I am slightly east and South of you.
According to Ortho's book, "All About Lawns"...
Kentucky blue grass should be 'installed' at a rate of 2 pounds for every 1,000 square foot. With a germination rate of 14 to 30 days.
If I were you, and this is just my opinion, I'd rake the bare spots, then plant the seed as described, then cover it with your top-soil by
1/4 inch, and water well. Keep the soil moist for the next few weeks.Just don't get frustrated... it takes a few years to get an established lawn. Best wishes, Dave
Relax. Weed/grass killer -- like Roundup -- doesn't destroy your topsoil. In fact you can seed 14 days after application by the label.
Unless you have very large completely bare areas, use the topsoil evenly over your entire lawn. It is a good way to "amend" your existing soil. Do be aware it might have weed seeds of its own.
Seeding should only be done after the topsoil dressing has been allowed to settle -- at least a week. You'll want to add a starter fertilizer first, but you can usually seed directly after (I seed the next day). This is more important than the topsoil.
So, no, you don't want to blend them. The topsoil will actually cover up the seeds, depriving them of necessary sunlight. Better is to place straw, light mulch, pea gravel, or landscape fabric, all of which will help hold the seeds in place while letting sun through. Seeds buried in topsoil will take much longer to germinate, and those that don't will simply rot in place.
Next time, make sure you use herbicide in its own container, and keep it labeled even if empty.
Unless you have a grading problem, no topsoil should be required to repair what you damaged with Roundup, you're doing a lot of work for nothing. Just mow the lawn short, then rent a slice seeder to put down the new seed. You can even overseed any other areas of the lawn that could benefit at the same time and be done in an hour, for a reasonable size lawn.
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