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.

wrote:
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.

First it would help to know what part of what country you are located as
advice for Fargo NC would be way off for Dublin Ireland.

Assuming upper Midwest US.

Don't go with the programs suggested by the fertilizer companies. They
are in business of selling fertilizer, not making good lawns. They want to
kill weeds (even if it also damages the grass) and make the grass green
FAST. Doing so often does as much damage as good.

I agree with the others. That Halts product will keep grass seed from
sprouting.

I suggest you contact your local county extension agent and ask them
about a soil test. They can direct you on how to accomplish that cheaply so
you will know what kind of fertilizer, if any, you lawn needs. They can
assist you in deciding on a care plan. I suggest that you plan on using
this summer to work on getting to soil straightened out. Make sure the
acidity is correct also.

Come fall is the time to address reseeding or other work. The best time
of year in most areas to seed a lawn is the fall, not spring.

Remember this. If the bag tells you to use X amount of the product
every year at a given time, it is bad advice since every lawn may need a
different amount and mix of products. Also remember that most anything that
will kill weeds, also can damage the grass, if not kill it. You best
defense against weeds is healthy grass.

Finally NEVER cut the grass too short. Many people think they have
putting greens, your lawn is not a putting green and cutting it like one
will just damage it and make it look bad.


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

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.