Lawn Renovation

Lawn Renovation - Now Is The Time!                                                                                                      
Source:  Buckeye Yard & Garden newsletter of September 8, 2005

Since we received rain a few days ago, lawns have started to revive, showing which section(s) of lawn has died this summer and what turf will recover.  If there are badly damaged areas of a lawn, NOW is the ideal time to renovate the lawn.  The best time to seed a lawn in northern Ohio is between August 15 - September 15.  In central and southern Ohio, the entire month of September is acceptable.  Lawns seeded later in the fall may fail because the seedling turfgrass roots hae insufficient growth to survive the winter.  Sodding can be done late into the fall.

Seed or Sod?
High quality lawns can be established from either seeding or sodding the site.  If seeding is the preferred method, be certain the seed used is free of weed seeds with a high percentage of germination.  By law, all seed sold in Ohio must be accurately labeled, specifying contents of the package, percent germination of the species(s), and data on which the testing was performed (see Lawn Establishment - Bulletin 546).

Emphasis should be placed on obtaining the most desired species and the highest germination rates.  Ohio law allows Kentucky bluegrass seed to contain some seed of annual bludegrass (Pos annua) and bentgrass, both of which can be serious weeds.  It is possible to obtain weed-free grass seed, if the buyer is persistent and willing to pay a premium price.  Sodding is an immediate resolution to lawn establishment; however, the aesthetics of a sodded lawn may be good or poor, depending on the quality of the sod and the skill with which it is installed.  Another advantage of sodding is that it may be successfully done any time the ground is not frozen, if properly watered.

Only good quality sod from reputable dealers should be purchased.  Information on the grass species and cultivar composition of the sod should be determined prior to purchase to ensure its acceptability. The sod should be of uniform density and free from broadleaf weeds, crabgrass, quackgrass, bentgrass, and other lawn weeds.  Today, hgih quality Kentucky bluegrass or turf-type fescue is available in Ohio along with other turf combinations.

A good lawn can be established by closely following the basic rules for seeding or sodding.  Careful attention to detail will help insure success of the new turfgrass.  THe following steps are essential in developing a new lawn:

1.    Control perennial weeds such as quackgrass and bentgrass.
2.    Remove existing sod and dead material.  Also, remove stones and other debris.  Have the soil tested and add nutrients, as necessary, based upon soil test results.  Modify the soil, if necessary, with topsoil or copost.
3.    Grade and level the lawn area.
4.    Rototill or otherwise till the soil three to six inches deep.
5.    Allow soil to settle or firm with a heavy roller.
6.    Apply starter fertilizer and rake it in the soil.
7.    Seed or sod; if sod - ignore items 8 and 9.
8.    Rake lightly - let some seed remain on surface.
9.    Mulch lightly so that the soil can still be seen.
10.  Roll lightly.
11.  Irrigate.  The surface must be kejpt moist until seedlings establish or the sod is well rooted into the soil.

Proper watering is essential for a successful lawn renovation.  The soil must stay moist for the seed to germinate.  Inadequate irrigation will result in poor germination, seedling, and/or sod death and poor results.