Moved into this house 2 years ago in September, last fall I over seeded, and heavily aerated with Lesco Tuff Turf, filled low spots with topsoil and re seeded areas that appeared to have grub or fungus damage. I have applied roughly 3.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet this year and water twice a week. It looks good, but it’s not where I want it. One thing I have noticed is I have what appears to be lots of thatch. Should I cut it very short this fall, dethatch it, aerate again and reseed? Or aerate and nitrogen blitz? Just looking for pointers, I am in central Indiana and I know my dirt isn’t the best just based on how terribly it drains. The greener picture is from April and the other one was Sunday.
by hoosierriverrat
38 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.*
It looks good. I don’t think you need to do anything different. It will always look better in April than it does in August.
What does your soil test say?
More brooms!
Man imagine thinking this looks bad in August.
This is a joke right?
You got it right more than 99.9% of lawns out there. Count your blessings. Murica.
One day it’ll click
“ I just can’t get it right…”
*proceeds to post a 9.5/10 lawn*.
Bro.
The lines aren’t straight
I mean it looks great. Looks like you have tall fescue, what more could you want in the dead summer for a cool season grass? Really sounds like your only issue is that you notice thatch. I see a few burnt spots but what can you expect with all this heat. Just de-thatch next month, overseed and do what you’ve been doing.
April is peak grass season. There’s a reason why The Masters are played in April and not in the summer. I’d be satisfied with what you have.
Looks awful. Have you considered nuking it and starting from scratch?
If that is a bad lawn, you’ll cry when you see mine.
Looks great!
Man I’d hate for you to see my lawn
O/P has jokes 😂. It’s fine and looks good. My lawn looks good in the spring and fall. In the summer not so much. And no way will I be watering over an acre just to keep up it looking good.
Is this rage bait
If you want it deeper green, just add iron once a month and it’ll be as green as a golf court
You could try to boost your fert schedule in spring/ early summer. N isn’t the only product I would spray on my lawn, Sea Kelp, Humic, and Iron are great products that will help your lawn prepare for the summer heat. At the end of the day you just have to water during the summer, you need full coverage and you need to figure out a water schedule that works for you.
I also live in zone 6a and I will say summer is never easy. The 90 degree heat in July/august is always a struggle for TTTF and KGB. And we don’t have the luxury of using Bermuda as a cover, due to our sub 0 degree winters.
Your lawn looks fine for Indiana in August. You can use seakelp/humic in the summer to boost roots, I’ve even seen success in applying low amounts of N/Fe to maintain that green look.
whats your height of cut maybe let it grow out a bit more
compliment phishing makes me want to puke
Dude.
Dirt.
Acting like the hot girl that says,” does anyone think I’m still hot”? Knowing she’s a 9, but just wants the compliments
I wouldn’t cut it that short in the heat!
Bruh I just cut my hay field (my front lawn) shit looks like it just needed to be bailed for some kid to ride to the pumpkin patch. This looks amazing there’s watering restrictions where I am so fucking jealous
Are you somewhat of a perfectionist? I am, and I have to reign myself in when I nitpick my lawn and garden. Sometimes doing more isn’t helpful.
Are you trolling?
The only thing you might want to do to make it greener in August more scheduled watering however you want to irrigate. Otherwise, your lawn looks great and on schedule for a 2 year lawn renovation.
OP learning about seasons and weather currently, be nice
Do not let perfection be the enemy of progress.
I use Lesco too and I’m having the same exact issue. I’m debating on switching to Twin City. I’m gonna give it one last shot and power rake/detatch my whole lawn end of August so that they can come and do the core aeration and overseed right after that.
Is this rage bait? Or are you fishing for compliments? It’s rage bait isn’t it. Got me again.
This dethatching craze has been blown out of proportion. Show us a photo of the thatch.
I’d do the same with mowing low, aerate, seed with nicer seed than Lesco. Nice seed but there are better options. Dial in your sprinklers and know the output for each zone. Do the nitrogen blitz and consider spoonfeeding your fertilizer once every 2 weeks next season.
Get a soil test to know what you really need to throw down. And get off the internet. Your grass looks awesome. Just dial in what you’re doing a little better for next year.
Get a hobby
Classic case of yard dysmorphia.
This is like an attractive woman on Instagram posting a picture of herself with the caption: WHY AM I SO UGLY???
Looks great man