Tony wrote:
I have a ranch on a 1/4 acre of land. My lawn isnt huge but there is enough of it. Here's the link:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...ontofhouse.jpg



Yesterday, I really decided to tackle my terrible lawn. I have multiple issues. Maybe some of you
can help. Yesterday, I rented a power rake from Home Depot and thatched the lawn. Here is what came
out of the lawn only for the front yard. It may not look like a lot but there is a lot and I already
got rid of a few pails:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...783/thatch.jpg


What is the next step? Do I put lime down? Do I seed? Do I fertilize? I do not know what kind of
grass to use. I have planted Scotts seed last year and the grass is so different from the grass I
already have. Instead of thin dense grass, the Scotts grass is fat and grows way faster and higher.
I went to a local nursery yesterday and the guy insisted that the taller Scotts grass was weeds and
not grass and he had no idea what kind of grass I already have. How can I find out. When I patch the
lawn, I want it to match so that it isnt so obvious because of the differernt kinds of grass. See
he

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e.../grasstype.jpg



One other question: How do I level the lawn? It dips down a bit in the middle. And I want the lawn
to be higher by the house and grade down as it goes to the street. Do I add soil over the grass to
level it or do I have to rip the grass out and then add the soil. Here is a pic but its hard to see
the dips:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...783/slope2.jpg

What is at the bottom of the photo - driveway or bare soil?



I am trying to sell my house so I am not looking to pay a lot of money for a landscaper, which is
why I am doing this myself. I am on the verge of a short sale and I would be happy to sell to break
even and lose the $150,000 I paid these past 5 years rather than the kill my great credit. Do I have
any hope or do I need a professional landscaper? I cannot believe dirt and lawns are so friggin
complicated. Thanks for any help you can give.

Tony


If you are selling, the dip in the middle of the lawn should not be a
worry, nor should the "Scotts grass", whatever that is. Just judging
from the pix, looks like any blue grass would be nice if you must
reseed. If you want it looking better than it does in a hurry, call your
county extension agent and ask what kind of seed is good for your area.
Long term, I would take a couple of plugs of the grass you have to the
extension service to have them ID it but that seems pointless when you
are selling.

The amount of thatch you removed is not a lot for 1/4 acre. Mow it
3-4", water deeply (1" per week if no rain), put down a slow-release
fertilizer if you must. A few annual flowers might do more for curb
appeal than all the lawn work.