how do i re grass my lawn

How do I start a new lawn from old grass?

How to Replant a LawnClear the area. Kill weeds and any remaining poor-looking grass with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. ... Prep for success. ... Select your grass seed. ... Spread your grass seed. ... Feed for growth. ... Water daily.

Can I just throw grass seed down on existing lawn?

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

What do I need to reseed my lawn?

What you'll need to reseed your grassLandscape rake.Oscillating sprinkler or a sprinkler system.Soil meter/moisture tester.Seed spreader of your choice.Mulch, compost, or fertilizer (optional, depending on seed and situation)The right seed for your goals and climate.

How do you remove old grass and reseed?

A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. Using a hoe or sod cutter will be easier if your lawn soil is moist. Remove old lawn after heavy rain or deep watering. First, make 2-inch deep cuts in the turf every 2-feet using either a manual or a power edger.

What month is best to put grass seed down?

Plant cool-season grass seed in late summer or early fall (when daytime temperatures lower to about 60 to 75 degrees) for best success. September is typically the best month, although you might be able to get away with seeding as early as mid-August or as late as mid-October; it all depends on the forecast.

Can you lay new grass on top of old grass?

Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn's condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf.

Can I put topsoil over grass and reseed?

Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass.

What is the easiest way to remove grass?

You can dig up your lawn manually with a flat shovel or mechanically using a motorized sod cutter or rototiller. If you have a small lawn, strong arm muscles, and a free afternoon, a shovel may suffice. For larger lawns, a motorized sod cutter or tiller is the way to go.

What is the best tool to remove grass?

Flat-head shovel: This tool is essential for scooping up live turfgrass and dead grass alike. When using a flat-head shovel in sod busting, dig at a shallow angle just below the root system to preserve the soil beneath.

Do I need to remove dead grass before seeding?

Allowing the dead grass to build up also weakens the grass around it and will cause even more of it to die. So removing it is important. Especially if you are planting grass and have more than a half inch of dead grass anywhere in your lawn it needs to be removed before the new seed is planted.

Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

But, will grass seeds germinate on top of soil? As a general rule, grass seeds will still attempt to grow on top of the soil; however, you will get poor results compared to grass seed covered with 1/4 inch soil. Uncovered grass seed is likely to dry out, be eaten by birds, or be carried away by water runoff.

Can you plant grass without tilling?

Over-Seeding: A Quick & Easy Fix It's also an easy and effective way to strengthen your grass – without the need of tilling the soil, removing roots or removing old grass. Over-seeding gives your yard the robustness it needs to fend off weeds, pests and fungus, as well as improve drought tolerance.

What happens if I put down too much grass seed?

All plants, including grass plants, need adequate soil space for roots to spread and develop. If you put down too much grass seed, you will encourage competition that will cause your grass seedlings to struggle after germination because there will be excessive competition for sunlight, soil nutrients, and water.

What is the best tool for dethatching?

A manual dethatching rake is the best tool here but is really only suited for small areas (unless you’re hankering for a long workout). A dethatching machine like the Sun Joe dethatcher & scarifier is an awesome option for smaller lawns. I have one for my lawn and it’s amazing. But if you’re pushing 10,000 square feet or more, you may need to hire this part out or rent a machine from your local hardware or tool rental store.

What is dethatching grass?

Dethatching is more like raking up the dead debris. All of the dead grass should be gone and exposing the dirt as much as possible. This will allow for ideal seed to soil contact.

What herbicide should I use to kill grass?

This is the longest process in renovating your lawn – spraying and waiting. You will need to use a non-selective herbicide to kill your existing grass. Round-up or products containing glyphosate are common products to use. I, however, opt for a safer option such as Avenger Organics .

How to break up aeration cores?

Lightly raking or breaking up the soil will help break up some aeration cores and allow a nice “bed” for the grass seeds.

How to get rid of brown grass?

2. Scalp the lawn. Once the lawn has turned brown after one or more applications of non-selective herbicide, it’s time to mow low. This may be a two or three step process but lowering your height of cut (HOC) a couple of times. Bag your clippings.

How long does it take to renovate a lawn?

How long? Plan at least two weeks from start to finish. Regardless, the absolute best time to fully renovate your lawn is the end of summer/early fall. Air temps begin to drop, soil temps stay warm, and most of the pesky weeds have already come and gone.

Why would you want to renovate your lawn?

During the hot summer season, the poorly adapted grass species turned brown and went dormant regardless of how much water, sea kelp, humic acid, and Hydretain I use. Thus, with the full sun, I had opted for GCI TTTF.

When Starting Over Makes Sense

A reseeding project lets you start your lawn over with a clean slate and is a great way for you to transform a lawn that is weedy, dry and damaged beyond repair into a green, thick lawn you can enjoy. Follow these steps to properly replant your lawn from seed.

How to Replant a Lawn

1. Clear the area. Kill weeds and any remaining poor-looking grass with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. After everything is completely dead, rake the area to remove the debris. 2. Prep for success. Now is a great time to core aerate the area if your soil is really compact.

Future Maintenance

Once your newly seeded lawn reaches a mowing height, feel free to start mowing. Be sure to cut it at the highest setting ideal for your grass type (usually between 3-4 inches) and only remove the top 1/3 of the grass blades.

What is Pennington lawn booster?

When you choose Pennington Lawn Booster, your lawn reaps the benefits of a tradition of innovation and integrity, backed by premium ingredients and the Pennington guarantee. You can take your lawn from "dead and dying" to thriving and green. Pennington is committed to providing you with the finest in grass, seed and lawn care products, and the information you need to succeed confidently.

Why is my lawn turning brown in the spring?

Cool-season grasses may turn brown and look dead in summer if they're forced into dormancy due to heat and drought. When they're brown in spring, that can signal a tough winter just passed, especially if low snowfall left grass without much insulation. Either way, your cool-climate lawn needs help.

What is an all in one lawn booster?

All-in-one Lawn Booster combines everything your "dead" lawn needs to spring to life: premium seed, fertilizer and soil enhancer. The choice is easy: you buy one, premixed, ready-to-use product instead of three.

How long does nitrogen stay in lawn booster?

Stabilized nitrogen in Lawn Booster means less nitrogen is lost to the environment and more of this essential stays around to feed your grass, immediately and for up to eight weeks. You'll see and feel the difference, from improved germination to better color and texture under your bare feet. Premium soil enhancer.

How to get rid of dead grass?

With weeds eliminated, mow your grass to 1 inch tall; then rake to remove any dead grass or debris. Raking loosens and bares soil so it's ready for the next step. Short-tined metal rakes, called garden or bow rakes, work best.

How long does a non-GMO lawn stay green?

Plus, these non-GMO varieties stay green for up to three weeks without watering. With a Smart Seed lawn, you reduce water consumption and that utility bill. That's year after year, for the life of your lawn, not just for a single season. Professional-grade fertilizer.

When does grass go dormant?

If you live in a warm climate and your lawn turns brown every winter season , you may have a warm-season grass that naturally goes dormant during winter months. What looks dead should be green again by late spring or early summer. Lawns in cooler climates are a little different.

How to get good seed to soil contact?

Make sure it doesn't fly into nearby gardens. Rake to cover the furrows as shown. Then compact the soil with a sod roller (rent one for about $20 per day) to get good seed-to-soil contact. Note: Learn how to use a spreader fertilizer and reseed your lawn with our best tips. Step 10.

How to get rid of seed in a broom rake?

Turn the broom rake upside down and drag it side-to-side over the furrows until only 10 to 15 percent of the seed remains uncovered.

How to get a light application of pellets?

Set the spreader to the widest setting and walk quickly to get a light application of the pellets.

What is starter fertilizer?

A starter fertilizer gives grass seed the nutrients it needs to germinate and grow quickly. Consult with a local nursery to find the best starter fertilizer for the seed you select. Follow the instructions on the bag for the proper spread rate for a new lawn and apply the fertilizer. Fall Lawn Care Guide. Step 7.

Who is Bob Mugaas?

Bob Mugaas is an Extension Educator in Horticulture with the University of Minnesota Extension . Bob has authored or co-authored more than 200 articles on various topics related to turf grass management.

How to sow grass seed in a slit?

Before sowing the grass seed, dethatch your yard to expose the soil by a ½ inch, and soak your yard. Start sowing at the edge of your area.

Why do you need a core aerator?

By using a core aerator your lawn, you create space in your soil that allow grass roots to grow deeper, and receive more fertilizer and organic matter they need to thrive.

What to do if you didn't test your soil?

Too much could lead to rapid grass growth and disease, or roll into storm drains. If you tested your soil, make sure you apply the fertilizer recommended by the results. If you didn’t test your soil, apply a slow-release fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 3-1-1.

What happens if your soil pH is too low?

If your soil’s pH levels are too high or too low, many nutrients cannot get to the grass. There are a few ways to test it at home, but the easiest is to use a pH soil tester you can purchase at any home and garden center, or use a professional lawn care service.

How many steps to get a green yard?

You deserve a great-looking green yard. In eight simple steps, you’ll get there in no time.

Can bumps in the yard make you mad?

All those bumps and divots in your yard can make you mad — or even twist an ankle. Luckily, they’re both quick fixes.

What is lawn aeration?

Lawn aeration encourages deep roots, resulting in a healthy lawn. Learn how to give your grass a breath of fresh air with these aerating tips. How to Create a Level Lawn With Sod. Instantly renew and level out your lawn by laying sod.

How thick is thatch in lawn?

Thatch causes trouble for your lawn when it exceeds 1/2 inch thick. Cutting through and removing thatch will improve your lawn's health.

What to do with a dead lawn?

Cover a brown, dead lawn with a lush, green carpet of grass.

Is it the same for all lawns?

Not all lawns are the same. Find out what fertilizing program is best for your grass so you can get on the fast track to a lush lawn.

How to fix dead grass?

Once the herbicide has had a few days to work, mow the dead turf as short as you can. It may seem counter-intuitive to totally scalp your lawn to repair it, but this low mowing will keep the dead plants from shading your new lawn too much, while leaving the remains of their roots intact to prevent erosion until fresh grass can grow.

How to keep grass at the height you want it?

Be sure the mower blade is sharp the first time you mow; a dull blade could rip the seedlings right out of the ground. Then mow as you normally would to keep the grass at the height you want it. For the health of your turf, don't cut off more than a third of the leaf length during any one mowing.

Can you replace sun loving grass with shade?

But if your lawn is suffering because there's too much shade in parts of your yard, you'd be better off replacing sun-loving grass in those areas with low-maintenance ground covers that thrive in shade instead.