reseeding a lawn

[Salthart]

The town contracted to have a sewer line placed through my front yard a couple of years ago. I have no idea what seed they used or where they got it but I think it was .03% fescue and the rest weeds. And not just any weed. THis stuff kills the ground cover and then remains leaving the yard spotty. Anyway, I plan to start in the back yard where it is spreading and till, level and reseed. The back yard is pretty heavy shade over most of it from silver ( I think they are ) Maples and a good sized cedar. Springs here are normaly wet and summers very dry. WHat kind of seed should I use ?

[Tacey]

Here in Pennsylvania, each County has an Agricultural Extension Office. They are experts on all plants that grow in this area of the U.S.. They can help with questions on soil preparation and analysis, and what requirements particular plant species need. I would check with them first. Some of the bigger Garden Centers, like Lowes or Home Depot, have horticulture-trained folks available to help with seed selection. They should be familiar with which seed is best for your particular region. I also have looked online at sites like Scott's, the fertilizer people, best known for their product Turf Builder. Tacey

[KVANDY12]

Marty, if the weed is that dominate I'm not sure that killing it with roundup wouldn't be a good idea. Since you are going to tiller the yard. Remenber Roundup only works on growing stuff. The roots from the weed may spout and you'll have the same problem. Just a thought.

[HubbardRA]

I put about 10 inches of top soil fill in my front yard a couple of years ago. Did it in mid summer. Leveled and raked the area. Covered it with seed, about 3 times the recommemded amount on the box. Covered the area with straw. Watered it every evening at dusk, to prevent rapid evaporation. When grass sprouts were about 1 inch high, I raked off the straw. Every bare spot then got re-raked and re-seeded. If seed didn't come up in a particular spot, I would spread some potting soil then the seed to provide enough nutrients to start the seed grownin. Continued the watering till there was grass covering the whole area. By the end of summer, couldn't tell that area from the rest of the lawn. I used principally fescue seed with some bluegrass, from local hardware store, nothing special. This area is also under Maple trees.

[MN_FISH]

The first thing to do is find out what kind of weed you have. After you find out that you will know what to do.Spray it first then till it, maybe just tilling it will work? Adding some topsoil? Soil test & fertilize. Some perennials will come back even after tilling them because of their root structure. If you till it up you will be cutting the roots into many pieces and depending on the weed it could come back from most of the pieces that are still covered with dirt. Another thing to consider is what kind of topsoil did you end up with on top? If it is dead soil from way down maybe the weed is the only thing that will survive in it. Also when they seeded your property they might have seeded it with 1/2 lb of seed when actually it needed 4 lbs per acre and it didn't catch and the weed seeds have been in the soil for years. If in doubt of the soil take a soil test. Any lawn care place or county agent or if you have master gardeners in your area they will be able to help you. Any pictures of the weed? Keep us posted on your problem.

[Just_Me]

Hello Marty, If I was you, I call the town hall and have the contractor come back and do the job the rightway! Those contractor's get paid to put the yard's back the way they were. If that dosen't work, I geuss your on your own. Hope it work's out ok.