Lawn Question
 

My lawn is looking pretty bare... through semi-neglect and LOTS of kids
playing on it. I am trying to tune it up this year.

3 weeks ago I applied Scotts with Halts.

Lots of dandelions popped up this week... have knocked them back down
with spot treatments... (I think halts doesn't kill dandelions.. it is
for crabgrass)

Anyway, we have had good rain over last 3 weeks... and small parts have
really shot up... but most of it is still thin.

Would another shot of fertilizer (3 weeks after initial) at this point
help? I can't put down new seed to help.. as the Halts would prevent
it from germinating.

wrote in message
ps.com...
My lawn is looking pretty bare... through semi-neglect and LOTS of kids
playing on it. I am trying to tune it up this year.

3 weeks ago I applied Scotts with Halts.

Lots of dandelions popped up this week... have knocked them back down
with spot treatments... (I think halts doesn't kill dandelions.. it is
for crabgrass)

Anyway, we have had good rain over last 3 weeks... and small parts have
really shot up... but most of it is still thin.

Would another shot of fertilizer (3 weeks after initial) at this point
help? I can't put down new seed to help.. as the Halts would prevent
it from germinating.

Does the halts bag say anything about the wait before re-seeding, or how
long it is supposed to be effective? I assume it is a time release
fertilizer. You should probably wait at least another several weeks before
re-applying. When you can, re-seed the lawn, then keep it constantly damp
until it sprouts. Most important - fertilize in the fall. Re-seeding in the
fall may also be your best bet, depending on where you are.

Bob

I agree with Bob. Generally fertilizer should last at least 4 weeks,
more likely 6. Did you put it down at the right rate? Too much
nitrogen can promote fungus and disease, so I wouldn't over do it.

One thing you could that would help it would be to aerate it. If it's
had heavy traffic, it's likely compacted. However, that should have
been done before the pre-emergent crabgrass preventer was put down. If
you don it now, it will at least diminish the effectiveness. Also,
have you tested the PH and adjusted? That can make a diff in how the
lawn responds to fertilizer.

wrote in message
ps.com...
My lawn is looking pretty bare... through semi-neglect and LOTS of kids
playing on it. I am trying to tune it up this year.

3 weeks ago I applied Scotts with Halts.

Lots of dandelions popped up this week... have knocked them back down
with spot treatments... (I think halts doesn't kill dandelions.. it is
for crabgrass)

Anyway, we have had good rain over last 3 weeks... and small parts have
really shot up... but most of it is still thin.

Would another shot of fertilizer (3 weeks after initial) at this point
help? I can't put down new seed to help.. as the Halts would prevent
it from germinating.


Next spring, reseed FIRST. I guess you figured this out already. You can
"halts" until the cows come home, but if the weeds have no competition,
they'll be back with a vengeance.

No danger of my lawn looking like a putting green... looks more like a
parking lot at the moment, much to my chagrin.

I do live in Upper Midwest, Michigan to be precise.

If you have the perfect lawn...Then the kids are not having fun. Do what you
can til the kids leave the roost. All the time in the world for a perfect
lawn. Happy time of a kid is limited.
wrote in message
ps.com...
My lawn is looking pretty bare... through semi-neglect and LOTS of kids
playing on it. I am trying to tune it up this year.

3 weeks ago I applied Scotts with Halts.

Lots of dandelions popped up this week... have knocked them back down
with spot treatments... (I think halts doesn't kill dandelions.. it is
for crabgrass)

Anyway, we have had good rain over last 3 weeks... and small parts have
really shot up... but most of it is still thin.

Would another shot of fertilizer (3 weeks after initial) at this point
help? I can't put down new seed to help.. as the Halts would prevent
it from germinating.