Lawn

I live in a neighborhood of manicured lawns. I bought my house a year ago, and it was a mess of weeds and overgrown shrubs. I did what I like most first, so now I have flowerbeds, a couple trees,vines on trellises, and evergreens looking good as foundation plants

This leaves the lawn, a delightful vision of crabgrass, moss, some grass, and other weeds. A week ago, I used a weedkiller on the lawn, Bayer weed and crab grass killer. Package says I have to wait 4 weeks after application to reseed. I live in Southern NJ and my lawn is clay. I plan to dethatch, and aerate with a pitchfork (its a small lawn).

Would I be better off using the patch mix, or reseeding?

Should I spread a mix of sand and topsoil before seeding?

Worst of all ,did I not get my behind in gear soon enough to kill the weeds....is Sept 21 too late to reseed in zone 7?

now is the perfect time to re-seed. If soil is in good shape, no need to do anything but cover with straw and wait. Water is essential in the germination and root developing stage so keep it wet until you start seeing it grow. Wait until it is established good before adding fertilizer as this will burn new roots. Good luck MonnieBc. I ask this same question is the only way I know

Thanks!!! A lot of people add lime to soil also, but from what you said about holding off on fertilizer, probably is true for lime too. Wish me luck

I don't think lime is a strong fertilizer and we did put out a lot before we planted seed trying to help the soil as the topsoil had been removed. That is a question for the experts so don't follow my lead on that one.

We live in Virginia Beach and we have a beautiful lawn!!! When we moved we had fescue and it was susceptible fto fungus and we reseeded almost every fall. We decided to plant zoysia thousands of plugs and we are very happy, drought resistant. the only bad thing is it turns brown during winter which does not bother us.Before we planted zoysia we had 8 truckloads of top soil , a sprinkler system installed and 8 outside faucets around the house. We have a lot of compliments and it is just stepping on carpet or looks like a beautiful fairway.My husband mows every 3 weeks. I will take a picture next week after my husband mows. Bellieg

This message was edited Sep 3, 2009 3:48 AM

bellieg, I too put in over one hundred zoysia plugs about three years ago. I just assumed because my topsoil had been removed during the makeover that my ground just wasn't fertile enough for them to grow. This year I have a beautiful ground cover that I could not figure out where it come from. From your description now i'm thinking it could be the zoysia. If you get a picture would love to see it to compare The stuff I have is spreading like wildfire and is soft as a babys behind and takes over the traditional fescue that was growing. It gets little purple blooms on it also. Does that sound familar?

Yes it is zoysia don't you just love it!!! It spreads fast and you have to control where you do not want it to go. Just spray it with round up. this week is hectic, coordinating a big weddding and hopefully I will have more time next week. i need to post my beautiful yard and plants. LOL!!! Bellieg

Flowers, there are over a dozen types of zoysia. Just type zoysia in your search bar and look at all the varieties. There are even evergreen types out there.

OK Girls now I'm excited!!! Round up "NO WAY" I love this stuff and don't think neighbors would mind if it grew over into their lawns as they are having the same problem growing grass WHOPIEEEE The way its going I may be able to see my lawnmower in a year lol.

I finally took some pictures and so here is my zoysia lawn. Yes there are several types and we do not have the extra fine. this is the front of the house

drive way

back side

Near the back porch

Absolutely georgous bellieg!!! Mine isn't near as thick yet, can't wait. beautiful place you have and love the flowers.