Will this grow back with some fertilizer? Should I seed it? Do I need to put down pre-emergent? I have really good looking grass some places and then dead spots like this. Any help is appreciated. I’m located in Massachusetts.
Apply spring pre-emergents when the 5 day average soil temps are in the 50-55F range. Or use [this tracker](https://gddtracker.msu.edu/).
If you have a question about pre-emergents, read the entire label. If you still have a question, read the entire label again.
Pre-emergents are used to prevent the germination of specific weed seeds. They don’t kill existing weeds.
Most broadleaf weeds you see in the spring can’t be prevented with normal pre emergents. You’d need to apply a specialty broadleaf pre emergent in the FALL.
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Tenquest
I feel your pain, I had a dirt like about 2 years ago. Just takes time. A couple seasons of aerating, seeding, pre emergent, fertilizing, and what not, it’ll come in nice. It just takes time to get your lawn looking right when it’s been neglected.
Matt32137
The toughest part to get through with a lawn in your current state is the inevitable weeds that will fill in the bare spots. I feel like even with diligent use of pre emergent weeds find a way.
Preserve the grass you have and come fall be prepared to aerate, overseed, etc etc.
theforest12
In MA too, first year in my house. I feel your pain
TinyHeartSyndrome
Last spring I did plug aeration, top dressing, seed, and the seed starter fertilizer with mesotrione. Or you could do aeration and top dressing now plus pre-emergent and do seed in the fall. Or do most of it in the fall. Depends on your timeline. Some say you cannot seed in spring but my cool season TTTF seed popped up just fine in May, but it was still like 50-70 degrees. And you don’t have to do all that everywhere, you can focus on the bad spots. If you have areas where grass doesn’t want to grow due to shade, then maybe do a mulch or gravel flowerbed instead, etc.
6 Comments
Apply spring pre-emergents when the 5 day average soil temps are in the 50-55F range. Or use [this tracker](https://gddtracker.msu.edu/).
If you have a question about pre-emergents, read the entire label. If you still have a question, read the entire label again.
Pre-emergents are used to prevent the germination of specific weed seeds. They don’t kill existing weeds.
Most broadleaf weeds you see in the spring can’t be prevented with normal pre emergents. You’d need to apply a specialty broadleaf pre emergent in the FALL.
*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.*
Check out the [Cool Season Starter Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/s/FetSGi0hFi).
*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.*
I feel your pain, I had a dirt like about 2 years ago. Just takes time. A couple seasons of aerating, seeding, pre emergent, fertilizing, and what not, it’ll come in nice. It just takes time to get your lawn looking right when it’s been neglected.
The toughest part to get through with a lawn in your current state is the inevitable weeds that will fill in the bare spots. I feel like even with diligent use of pre emergent weeds find a way.
Preserve the grass you have and come fall be prepared to aerate, overseed, etc etc.
In MA too, first year in my house. I feel your pain
Last spring I did plug aeration, top dressing, seed, and the seed starter fertilizer with mesotrione. Or you could do aeration and top dressing now plus pre-emergent and do seed in the fall. Or do most of it in the fall. Depends on your timeline. Some say you cannot seed in spring but my cool season TTTF seed popped up just fine in May, but it was still like 50-70 degrees. And you don’t have to do all that everywhere, you can focus on the bad spots. If you have areas where grass doesn’t want to grow due to shade, then maybe do a mulch or gravel flowerbed instead, etc.