I have a new lawn as we built our house and had lawn from the end of May. I've overseeded the contractor garbage a bunch. But we have a lot of crab grass. I'll have to deal with that in the spring. So I want to oversee now. We are having a sprinkler system put in at this moment. So I will be able to keep it watered. But there are so many seed mixes I have no idea what I should use. I'd love one of those full lush green lawns. I think getting it going in fall is a good idea as I've read the pre-emergent crab grass preventer stops new grass from growing and I'll need to stop the crab grass.

We have mainly sand under our loam and the contractor didn't really give much loam. I'll take any recommendations. Hoping to go buy seed today.

I went with a local lawn service and am very happy with it. It's probably not a lot more expensive than doing it yourself. They provide the appropriate seed for your area, aeration, fertilization, weed control, etc.

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Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I went with a local lawn service and am very happy with it. It's probably not a lot more expensive than doing it yourself. They provide the appropriate seed for your area, aeration, fertilization, weed control, etc.

I had a local guy at my last house that was great. But I haven't found anyone here that I trust. Basically we only have rip off chains like Tru-Green. I'm content to do it myself. I just need to start learning what to do a bit more.

Go for it. I'd rather sip bourbon, smoke my pipe and make sure the gate is unlocked for them. I mow it and water it but would rather not fuck with any of the rest of it.

I'm rototilling parts of my yard that got infested with weeds. I'm in Mid-Atlantic swamp outside DC. Would love to know what's best for my region in sunnny and shady areas. Front in more clay content and dry, rear is more organic and wetter. Want something that grows short, dense, dark green grass. Anyone know where I can get this unicorn grass? Or maybe just something that will grow and is robust.

Where is ensigmatic? He’s the Yoda of lawn care. Hopefully he sees this and chimes in.

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We have mainly sand under our loam and the contractor didn't really give much loam. I'll take any recommendations. Hoping to go buy seed today.

I'd put down some topsoil first. Around here you can get a dump truck delivered for a little over $100. I know, everything's more expensive in Mass...
But you're probably wasting your money on good seed if you've got bad dirt.
Spread out your topsoil, rake it a bit to fill in holes and low areas, then rake in your new seed.

Find a local place that supplies the pros. Find out what the pros are using for your mix of sun and shade. Buy that.

You'll also want to put down a fall/winter feed. IIRC I put down a Lesco 32-0-8 or the like last fall. Lawn greened right up after it thawed this spring.

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Originally posted by chellim1:

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We have mainly sand under our loam and the contractor didn't really give much loam. I'll take any recommendations. Hoping to go buy seed today.

I'd put down some topsoil first. Around here you can get a dump truck delivered for a little over $100. I know, everything's more expensive in Mass...
But you're probably wasting your money on good seed if you've got bad dirt.
Spread out your topsoil, rake it a bit to fill in holes and low areas, then rake in your new seed.

I can't even get free fill delivered for that cheap. It was about $22/yard for screened loam last time I bought it. That was about 10 years ago. I do have a few inches of loam, but the builder definitely didn't give us 6" everywhere. It's a big property.

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Find a local place that supplies the pros. Find out what the pros are using for your mix of sun and shade. Buy that.

You'll also want to put down a fall/winter feed. IIRC I put down a Lesco 32-0-8 or the like last fall. Lawn greened right up after it thawed this spring.

Thanks. I plan to do fall feed. I also may need to lime. I'm thinking I'll do that when I seed but not really sure. I have a soil tester on it's way to see if I need lime. But based on the weeds and color of my grass, even after fertilizing I think it's probably acidic. But that is just from reading a bit this morning.

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I can't even get free fill delivered for that cheap. It was about $22/yard for screened loam last time I bought it.

I usually just find a farmer near the river bottom who has a dump truck... but I live near the Meramec and Mississippi rivers.

Here's a source you might try.
http://wjgraves.com/products/loam/

Turf-Type Tall Fescue is what Lawn Doctor recommends and uses.

Since I overseeded my front and side lawn last fall with Kentucky 31 and it's grown in well and I really like it, I'm having LD power seed the same front and side areas this fall with Kentucky 31, I will supply the seed which I get from Tractor Supply. It's not as fine as other grass, but it's very tough and hardy and I think it looks just fine:

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Originally posted by frayedends:

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Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I went with a local lawn service and am very happy with it. It's probably not a lot more expensive than doing it yourself. They provide the appropriate seed for your area, aeration, fertilization, weed control, etc.

I had a local guy at my last house that was great. But I haven't found anyone here that I trust. Basically we only have rip off chains like Tru-Green. I'm content to do it myself. I just need to start learning what to do a bit more.

Don’t be so quick to knock Tru-Green. Granted it is a chain so results can vary greatly.
I got tired of fighting the my lawn and went to all the neighbors with the best lawns. All but 1 used Tru-Green.
This is my second year with them and they have done a whole lot better than I ever did lawn looks great and is not terribly expensive for the treatments.

I will be seeding myself however they want $255.
I bought the seed for $67 and will rent an aerator for $45.

I can’t give advise on seed for you specifically as I know nothing about your area.
I was suggested by a fella who used to do the works in landscaping but now only mows.
I buy the Hound Dog Fescue mix from Rural King and does great in my Central KY location.

I personally love Midnight but it is expensive. John Deere/Lesco had a tri-mix of bluegrass seed that was a little cheaper.

For crabgrass, make sure you do not cut the lawn too close. You want a higher cut height to choke it out.

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Originally posted by PASig:
Turf-Type Tall Fescue is what Lawn Doctor recommends and uses.

Since I overseeded my front and side lawn last fall with Kentucky 31 and it's grown in well and I really like it, I'm having LD power seed the same front and side areas this fall with Kentucky 31, I will supply the seed which I get from Tractor Supply. It's not as fine as other grass, but it's very tough and hardy and I think it looks just fine:

I think I may go with tall fescue. It has long roots, which will get into the sand and if it dies off, well it will add organic material. I will check Tractor supply. Thanks

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Originally posted by Black92LX:


Don’t be so quick to knock Tru-Green.

My problem isn't their service so much, but I had neighbors with huge problems trying to cancel. They cancelled by phone and writing and Tru-Green kept servicing them for over 2 seasons and billing them. They would show up when no one was home. It was a huge fight and eventually ended up in court.

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My problem isn't their service so much, but I had neighbors with huge problems trying to cancel. They cancelled by phone and writing and Tru-Green kept servicing them for over 2 seasons and billing them. They would show up when no one was home. It was a huge fight and eventually ended up in court.

It's easier to quit the Bloods or Crips than it is trugreen.

So, what seed did you go with?!

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Originally posted by Skins2881:

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My problem isn't their service so much, but I had neighbors with huge problems trying to cancel. They cancelled by phone and writing and Tru-Green kept servicing them for over 2 seasons and billing them. They would show up when no one was home. It was a huge fight and eventually ended up in court.

It's easier to quit the Bloods or Crips than it is trugreen.

Reminds me of when I went to quit AOL. Those pricks hated to let you go with a passion.

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Originally posted by PASig:
So, what seed did you go with?!

.

I got the Kentucky 31 from Tractor supply as you suggested. I also bought some lime but my pH measurement shows I don’t need it. Will see how it goes.

Sounds like you did a soil test, that's step one. In lieu of topsoil, a layer of compost evenly distributed will do wonders for your soil foundation. It's a little work to apply though.

K31 is a Gen 1 wide blade fescue that tends to grow in clumps. It's the choice of builders because its cheap and grows fast, which means a lot of mowing. I prefer a newer generation fescues with a finer blade that is more drought and disease resistant and gives a more carpet like dark green appearance. There are usually mixes developed specifically for your area. I like mixes because yard composition and sun exposure varies so that one seed in the mix may thrive in one area while a different seed may thrive in another. Jonathan Greene will likely make one for your region.

I utilize the SOD system for over seeding - September, October, December. September is areation, seed, fertilize, and lime. I like to areate heavily to give the seed better purchase. Over raking will also improve germination rates a great deal. I prefer a starter fertilizer for this one with a higher phosphorus content, the middle number on the bag. It's harder to find these days due to run-off restrictions, but this really helps get the roots going, one of the most vital aspects of your lawn's health. I fertilize again in October and December with slow release fall fertilizers.

Then, in my area, I follow up with weed/crabgrass pre-emergent in March and May, though I can get out there earlier if there's a warm spell and the weeds pop.. Next comes high nitrogen green up fertilizer in May (first number on the bag), and broadleaf control, insect control as necessary in the summer. I like to try to knock all the weeds down in August, 4 weeks before I overseed.

As for irrigation, you'll want to keep the soil damp, but not wet, until seed germination, usually 9-14 days. Then 1"/week during the growing season. An empty tuna can makes a good gauge to calibrate you irrigation system.

Sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn't, maybe 20-30 hours per year. I used to spend a great deal more than that and had an immaculate lawn, but I found I could do 20% of the work and get 90% of the results. Im in the Mid-Atlantic, timing is likely to be a little different for MA, so do your research.

I'm shocked that someone in MA overseeds.
Doesn't it get covered in snow in about 2 months?