The Grass Doctor

I need help with my yard maintanence and advice for planting grass?

Well this is actually a couple of questions rolled into one. I live in the Virginia Beach, VA area and was wondering when the best time is to plant grass seed? Also, I just ripped out a bunch of shrubbery and everything is bare. What do I need to do to get it ready for grass seed and what do i need to throw on it? Scott's turf builder? Also, the rest of my yard that has grass is all brown. It looks pitiful. I want my yard to look green and lush. Help! What do I need?

Public Comments

1. poop and a cow...something like that
2. The sooner you can get it reseeded the better before it gets summer , heat tends to stress new growth grass. You can rake both places lightly with a metal leaf rake and then sow the seed and spread the fertilize. Scotts is a good product , but if you can find a fertilize with a nitrogen content between 20 and 30 percent, potash about 8 percent,and potassium about 8 percent , it will do a good job a lot cheaper. If a rain is not forcast for a couple of days , water the lawn to disolve the fertilize and kind of pack the seeds down somewhat.
3. Get some compost and spread it over the lawn. It's a natural fertilizer. You could get some manure too. Gypsum is good for the lawn too. It will help break down animal waste and road salt. After you put anything on the lawn a little bit of water to help it soak in is good. Not too much though you don't want it to wash away. Rake the soil (seed doesn't take root very well in compacted soil another reason gypsum is helpful). Throw the seed down and water.
4. I live in zone 6 and just did all this. You need to till wherever you are going to plant and seed at. You will definitely get a better result by tilling first.
5. Plant as soon as the weather feels like spring. The best thing to do if you have brown spots is to rototiller the whole area, mix in a pick up truck load of good fertile dirt, and reseed. You will be very happy the consistency of the results. If this isn't an option, you can try to turn over the soil at the brown spots, add new fertile dirt, and reseed. Water as per the directions on the seeds. Make sure you purchase grass seeds that are the same as what is already there. Good luck!
6. Before you do anyhing you should do a soil test. The kits are cheap and easy to use. You will know if you soil has the right PH level for growing grass. Check the grass you buy for the ideal level. Most likely will be around 7. You should probably de-thatch before seeding to ensure proper seed contact with the soil. Thatch is basically grass clippings that are between the soil and the grass blades you see. Apply with a spreader and then put down starter fertilizer. Anytime you put down seed you shoulf use that because it has a higher amount of phosphorous which is what makes the roots grow. Water it in afterwards.