The Grass Doctor

Is It Too Late To Get A Green Lawn?

My lawn has dry spots and dead spots, but is about 60% green. I just now started learning about lawn care and hope that I am not too late (May). I live in New England and am having my lawn dethatched and core-aerated. What is my next step, or is it too late????

Public Comments

1. It isn't too late because it is early spring and its nearly turning into summer!
2. Reseed the dead spots, water it and tend it, and see what you get. If you really want to do more, get a soil analysis done as far as pH, nutrient levels, etc. You can always work to correct those, too.
3. Now to feed it. Scotts weed and feed will do wonders. The brown spots are probably from dogs.
4. it is not to late looks like you are on the right track.your next step would be putting seed down were you have the patchy spots or you would call them dead spots.
5. Your next step is to get a good soil analysis of P, K, pH and lime requirements, and start fertilizing using those recommendations. Check with your local extension service to find out who tests soil in your state, and how to take a proper sample. Overseed the dead spots, apply fertilizer and lime and make sure the established grass gets an inch of water a week during the growing season. Get the mower blade sharpened and balanced. Set the mower height to the optimum for your species of grasses (probably about 3-3.5") . Take no more than 1/3 of the height of the grass blade when mowing. Good book, can be gotten cheaply from used book stores: Rodales' Chemical Free Yard and Garden. Even if you choose to go with "chemical" fertilizers and pesticides, this book will give you a good understanding of the conditions required for good growth of lawn, and how to properly maintain it. Read especially the first chapters as well as the lawn chapters.