For the life of me I can't get grass to germinate let alone fill in this bald patch! Weeds don't even grow. I've aerated, amended with top soil multiple times. I've seeded it three separate times during late fall, Early spring, and late spring with straw covered. I might see a few shoots then it's gone. I've seeded as is, seeded after soaking the seeds overnight. I've used the same seeds in other areas and it's been ok (not great). I've done test patches in a pot and it grows beautifully… Is something eating the new sprouts?!? Birds can't eat every seed can they? Bugs? Slugs? It gets sun and water Idk what's going on with this patch. North California. Using black beauty golden state blend. What else can I try?
by 3Hunnybunny
6 Comments
I don’t know what that bush is, but it might be alleopathic.
Soil test time
The bush eats a lot of nutrients and water, it’s also sunny, and the concrete heats up the soil
No one suggesting the screwdriver poke test yet? Positive there is no concrete or buried material under that dirt?
Have you ever tried aerating those sections before attempting to seed?
There’s one sprinkler head there. Maybe adding a popup or two along curb from that would also help.
I have the same thing from my dogwood growing over and creating too much shade. I know my lawn. The spot is sunny and dried out fast. The grass is dead there and the ground is hardened down. Will need a till and some seed lots of water or something to shade it a little so the double sun (sun bouncing off my house) doesn’t affect so much.
Have you planted seed with some top dressing? Grass isn’t know for just spreading into compacted bare soil.