I moved in about a month ago, and my lawn had tons of weeds like thistle, crabgrass, etc. We only recently turned on the irrigation system (running 3 days a week), and it’s been 90+ most days in my area (northeast).
I sprayed ortho weed b gon with crabgrass killer and it did a solid job, killed a ton of the weeds, but a bunch still remain. I also have a few big dead areas and sprawling weeds. The first 3 photos are from the sunny front lawn. The last 2 photos are in my very shaded backyard, where it looks like I have moss instead of grass in some areas.
What should my high level plan be to make this hard not look awful, without a ton of weekly work on my part? I have an irrigation system, some walking spreaders, and other basic lawn tools. Thanks!
by bullsp1t
15 Comments
Check out the [Cool Season Beginners Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/fb1gjj/a_beginners_guide_to_improving_your_lawn_this/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/lawncare) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Two suggestions:
1. Read and follow the cool season guide the auto-mod sent
2. Youve got a lot of spurge. A weed that has a waxy coating that the ortho product didn’t penetrate. Look for a broadleaf post-emergent herbicide that contains at least one of these active ingredients:
• 2,4-D
• Dicamba
• MCPP (Mecoprop-p)
• Triclopyr
You never really had it, so very small loss
Great start on a new lawn.
Where in Northeast?
Fescue? Apply pre-emergent in the spring. Overseed in Fall with starter fertilizer. Water. Apply post-emergent weed killer as needed while not trying to grow grass and not too hot. Consider fungicide application program. Pull easy weeds where you can.
I have been guilty of applying a small touch of round up to unsightly stand alone weeds but you could lose a little grass nearby
Mow high. Never low. No scalping.
Buy the best seed you can. Lesco is good.
Some of those weeds are so rampant. They have to go by whatever means necessary. You could lightly burn them with a propane torch.
Some of the grass is good. Some just looks dead. What is different in those areas. Shade?
Right now in NE, hard to work on your lawn. So stressed out from heat and little water. Your front yard looks like it has a lot of perennial rye, which doesn’t like this sort of weather. During the right weather the Ortho weed be gone is great. But as it says on the instructions, don’t use in 90+. Which also means, don’t use if you see this weather in the 7 day or so forecast. I learned it the hard way too. If you need to replant, consider something more in the tall fescue/bluegrass mix in that area over something with perennial rye. I think that stuff is cheaper and they load it up in the “state mixes” because it greens up fast, so most consumers feel it works. In spring and fall it looks great and doesn’t grow too fast. Tall fescue does grow fast, but tolerates the heat. Bluegrass once it is established will tolerate the heat. But not as easy to establish. Mix the seeds to help with fungus and other disease tolerance. And fertilize with regular fertilizer like milorganite, not weed and feed. Once you get a bit of established grass, it will chock out the weeds.
Of course follow what you said in the mowing at correct height and bag especially during weed seeding times. Can mulch during other.
By no means an expert. Repeating a lot of what I have learned from others and what works for my lawn. All are different. Soil test too…
You can learn quite a bit from your state extension office and your state agricultural university https://extension.psu.edu/trees-lawns-and-landscaping/turfgrass-and-lawn-care for instance Some is theory but it will help you think about the issues you face with lawncare
It’s a living plant. It needs water every morning from mayish to Sept
My family always lets grass brown out during summer. It call come vack in a dew weeka when rain comes back.