Gardening

Paper Roses

(7,506 posts) Sat Aug 29, 2015, 11:39 AM Aug 2015

Grass growing question Zone 6, MA coast

Can you give me some advice? I live near the MA coast. This past spring, I paid a landscaper a big bunch of $$ to thatch my yard and plant--spread grass seed. I have watered this stuff to the point of screaming and have grown the best crop of crab grass you have ever seen. Been outside daily digging this crab grass up, the seeding did very little. Since we are near the end of the growing season, do I wait until the spring to plant the now bare spots or do I buy seed and try to get something to grow before the hard weather comes.

I called the landscaper, no reply. I sent him a note asking form advice, no reply. I don't know what to do with this now- miserable looking grass. Looks as bad as it did before I hired the company to do the initial work.

I'm an old timer with health issues so In can't do everything at once. Dig some of this weed daily, then wait until back is better and at it again. I just don't know what to do. I can go to home depot and buy a big bag of seed and spread it over the now bare spots. Think that would do any good at this date? I have been good watering the grass but the crab grass has taken over.

I have no more money to spend on the services of a landscaper, it has become a do-it-yourself project.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'm off now to dig up some more of this awful stuff.

2 replies

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Grass growing question Zone 6, MA coast (Original Post) Paper Roses Aug 2015 OP

I read that the best time to seed is early fall. Thor_MN Aug 2015 #1

Here's a few tips Major Nikon Aug 2015 #2

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)

1. I read that the best time to seed is early fall.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Aug 29, 2015, 12:16 PM

Aug 2015

Grasses like cooler nights.

I've also read that spreading seed just before the first snow can work in giving the seed a good start in the spring, as the melting snow gives it moisture. At least that's here in Minnesota where the snow lasts all winter. Don't know what winters on the Maine coast are like.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

2. Here's a few tips

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Aug 29, 2015, 01:52 PM

Aug 2015

The first is to use pre-emergent in the late winter/early spring before the crab grass emerges. Post emergent control of crab grass is much more difficult. After seeding you really need to fertilize well and keep your grass cut to the height recommended for the variety of grass you have. Make sure your lawnmower blades are sharp. The healthier your grass is, the more likely it will choke out the weeds. Sometimes it takes a year or two of fertilizing vigorously to develop a lawn thick enough to do this.

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