Need lawn advice

David M Wilkinson (Contractor) wrote:
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You have two approaches that work.
You can start new. Strip off or turn under everything that is there. Upgrade the soil if needed and start with fresh seed or sod.
Second method is to work with what you have. This is the method I like, almost all the time. I think people are far too quick to start new and would do better most of the time by just doing good care.
In either case you are coming up on the best time of year to tackle the problem in most areas. Most grasses are best put in during mid to late fall. Unless you are in the south US you should have cool weather grass and fall is the time. The weather is ideal for them and bad for most weeds. By mid spring things should be in good shape.
Let's start with why the grass is a problem. If you don't fix that, nothing you do will help.
You noted that you have lots of tree roots. That also means you likely have lots of trees. Trees mean shade, less water, and often poor soil.
Shade means you need to use shade tolerant grass. No grass really likes shade and you are not going to get any grass that will grow in lower light and still stand up to wear from kids and dogs. However the right grass should be able to stay green and good looking and handle some foot traffic.
Next is water. Trees can suck a lot of water out of the soil. Be ready to do a fair amount of watering. It is best to check the ground and water if and when needed. It may be on a totally different schedule that the front yard. You also don't want to keep the grass wet as that will encourage diseases.
Poor soil, due to the tree taking up all the good nutrients, means you may need some adjustments to lawn feeding. You best bet here is to start with a soil test. Your local county extension agent should be able to help you out, or a local garden center if they can't. Add only what is suggested, and no more. Be sure to ask about PH as well and adjust that. I suggest fertilizing only in the early spring and mid fall. In most situations fertilizing during the summer can do more long term damage than good. Using an organic fertilizer if possible as it generally is slow release and can help improve the soil.
Don't cut your lawn too short, most people do. In most areas lawns allowed to grow a little longer 2.5 - 3.0 inches will look better, require less care and water and will crowd out the weeds.
You may need some weed control now and next spring. Don't buy weed and feed products. The best time to control weeks and the right time to feed your lawn is seldom the same time. Find out what kind of weeds your lawn has and treat for those weeds at the ideal time of year for the weeds you have. For most weeds that will be mid - late spring through summer. After one or two general applications, you should be able to handle the weed problem with spot weeding.
Remember that a sun lawn and a shade lawn will continue to require different care.
You will note that I did not really address the rebuild vs. replace issue. That is because the care is the same for both. I would seed the back with a good shade seed this fall either way. If you don't replace, just overseed. Use a mix of good grass seed and the grass that is best suited will win out.
Good Luck

I had a similar problem of a poor lawn in one area. After years of getting grass in and having it die off to weeds I realised it was to shady to support even Scotts Shade seed. Also some Maples were choking out the grass as Maples and a few other trees will do. I gave up on the lawn after 7 years and alot of waisted time , seed and water. This is a small area 1/30th of my lot , everywhere else it is fine, So I have gone to shade perrenials like Hostas and Ferns which are doing great and a rock garden. First determine type of trees and if they are a grass killing type and determine amount of sun you have. If not enugh sun grass will come up but will die off. Either trim trees or dont fight it and go Shade Perrenials. You have a sign, there is no grass there now, Maples and others can choke out any plant so dont fight a loosing battle. If your situation is different using Roundup and burning weeds when brown and reseading is the easiest way. Some trees have the majority of roots near the surface, Rototilling will not only bring up dormant weed seeds but can severly damage some trees, and worms that help lawns.