I’m in central Texas. I’ve never had a green thumb and all of this is very new to me. Right now I’m just mowing the weeds down and trimming to keep the HOA off my back. I figure there’s grass under there somewhere, but I’m not even sure if it’s worth saving? Is this something I can fix myself? Do I need to kill everything off and start from scratch or can I salvage it over a few seasons? I’ve also got a couple of young kids that like to poke around out front if that makes any difference when it comes to choosing/applying lawn treatments. Thanks
by samsara_tmh
9 Comments
The first thing this sub is going to ask you: Have you gotten a soil test done?
I’d buy more clover seeds and work to have the entire patch be clover. It doesn’t need mowing as often and resists heat and lack of rain better.
A few questions. Do you own this townhome or rent? Do you have irrigation? Do you have the ability to control the timers on this irrigation? Doe your HOA allow you to do a complete renovation? Is that whole first picture your property or is it split between the 2 trees?
Soil test, fertilizer/cut often/water.
It can be saved over the course of a season or two if you do your research and take it seriously! Mine looked just like yours 2 springs ago, and as of last fall it’s now the best lawn in the neighborhood. I’m in the northeast with cool season grass, but I assume you’d be able to save it just the same.
Broadleaf herbicide to kill the weeds… assess what you have left and either start a fertilizer and watering regimen or sod it.
ugh… ok i’ll be nice here
It’s a typical lawn and it just needs the typical weed control & fertilizer. How to accomplish that; you’ll want to read the sticky and common posts.
Little cheat sheet for you:
1. soil test
2. weed control = pre-emergent, post-emergent
3. fertilizer = based off your soil test results
4. water cannot be stressed enough but without a sprinkler it is what it is, you have a small enough yard where you can rush a hose and a manual sprinkler so you’re in fantastic shape considering that aspect
Its not complicated, test the soil, fling down some weed control, slap down some ferty and keep it wet. If you wanna get fancy there is aeration, overseeding and lots of many things in between.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/fb1gjj/a_beginners_guide_to_improving_your_lawn_this/](https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/fb1gjj/a_beginners_guide_to_improving_your_lawn_this/)
i personally would kill it off with round up but keep it away from trees. for the garden bed i would pluck it out by hand. i would plant grass seeds when appropriate for your region (your local nursery can provide you with more insight)