Did I kill my lawn??

December 06, 2017, 09:22 PM

So a couple weeks ago I raked leaves into a pile for the kids. Then life got in the way and the oikebdidnt get cleaned up for about 2 weeks until today. Between then and now the pile got compacted and spread out a little and rained on once.

Today I went out and ran the mower over the lawn. Beneath the remains of the leave pile I found a mud pit and not grass.

Will the lawn return????

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December 06, 2017, 10:22 PM

thumperfbc

It’s a mix/blend from a local sod grower. If I recall correctly it’s mostly some variety of fescue with some bluegrass.

December 06, 2017, 10:25 PM

motor59

Kill it?
No, but I bet you gave it a heckuva scar.

I've left leaf piles on the grass and found white, nasty looking grass after removal. I think the mud pit is your clue it ain't coming back.

_{suaviter in modo, fortiter in re}

December 06, 2017, 10:32 PM

Bisleyblackhawk

You probably didn't kill it...but you did hurt it's feelings...I've let leaves pile up much in the same circumstances with my kids and grandkids...by late spring everything pretty much filled in. Keep in mind over winter, grass survives underground...

I just saw you are in Cali...grassy things there may be different than here in TN...you might toss out a couple handfuls of grass seed to be on the safe side and remember to keep it watered.

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December 06, 2017, 10:40 PM

ensigmatic

Difference is the two of you are in NJ & TN. The OP's in CA. It's been very warm, hot, even, in CA. Piled-up leaves + moisture + heat = composting.

I think he composted the grass under the leaves.

December 06, 2017, 10:48 PM

StorminNormin

I have St. Augustine grass and there has been times I let a huge pile of leaves stay WAY too long and the grass seemed dead. It took about 12 months, but the grass returned to normal in that area. I guess it depends on the the type of grass and situation.

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December 06, 2017, 11:27 PM

thumperfbc

Update: my landscape professional,aka dad, happened to stop by. He said it’s a mix of Bermuda, rye, bluegrass, and fescue and that the Bermuda will always come back and the rye should be doing an annual sprout in a few weeks.

Here is a picture of the carnage. Maybe.

December 06, 2017, 11:59 PM

Bisleyblackhawk

IMHO you can't really "kill" Bermuda...you just piss it off enough to get back at you by it's being stubborn to grow back for your "sins"...it's 90% of what my yard is...I have learned to love and somewhat respect it (I have no choice because I can't kill it)

...look to your dad for advice, dads are wise

December 07, 2017, 04:32 AM

arfmel

Bermuda will grow as long as the nights don't get cooler than 50 degrees, in my experience. Rye will grow as long as temps stay above freezing.

December 07, 2017, 07:32 AM

Powers77

quote:
Originally posted by thumperfbc:
So tossing some seed won’t hurt? When should that be done?

Ask the local nursery when you get the seed but grass of the type you mentioned is really a cool weather crop. Right now is likely a really good time to be putting seed out.

Oh BTW - #grasslives matter you killer.

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December 07, 2017, 02:51 PM

Sigmund

Suggest you call it a "yard" and not a "lawn." A neighbor gave that advice to set lower expectations. : )

December 07, 2017, 03:16 PM

jehzsa

quote:
You probably didn't kill it...but you did hurt it's feelings...

Please create a safe space for it.

***************************
Knowing more by accident than on purpose.

December 07, 2017, 03:23 PM

chellim1

quote:
Originally posted by Sigmund:
Suggest you call it a "yard" and not a "lawn." A neighbor gave that advice to set lower expectations. : )

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December 12, 2017, 06:00 PM

irreverent

It’ll be a few weeks, at least. Be patient, throw some seed on. It’ll be fine