Re-seeding grass in backyard

[bostoneo]

So last year my father in law decided he'd spray my backyard with weed killer and ended up killing all the grass /sigh. Luckily it's just a postage stamp size, 50x60ft (3000 sq ft). Was looking on Lowes site and using their grass seed calculator and looks like i'll need 20lbs of seed to replant the yard.

So my question, is there a certain type of grass seed i'd want in NE Ohio that would be nice and durable? I've never bought grass seed before... It's mostly in shade by the huge oak tree in our backyard.

Thanks for looking.

 

[rraming]

Plant a tobacco field!

 

[Jfire]

Get either Scott's, Pennington or go to a supply store that you trust. (Country stores that carry fertilizer, animal feed and bird seed normally carry good grass seed).
Look for a northern turf blend.
Should have NO MORE THAN 20% annual anything (rye fescue etc)
The other perrenial seeds should be a decent blend of 2-3 blue grass seeds,
perrenial fescue and Rye with one other perrenial listed.
THE MOST IMPORTANT SEED FACT:
The noxious plant/weed seed ratio should be like .003 or LESS.
20 lbs of grass seed can be a million seeds. Want to guess what .003 of a million is!?!?
Your list (imo)
20 lbs starter fertilizer.
25lbs northern turf blend seed
A rear time tiller rented from lowes, hd or menards.
Round up concentrate
1 gallon pump sprayer.
A landscapers rake rented from above
Instructions:
Spray yard with round up. Wait 2 weeks. Till yard up. Rake even. Remove waist. Sow new seed. Immediately put down starter at appropriate rates for new lawns listed on bag. Water 2x Daily for two weeks. Reduce watering to every 3 day and then once a week for next two weeks.

 

[ZippoGeek]

is there a certain type of grass seed i'd want in NE Ohio that would be nice and durable? I've never bought grass seed before... It's mostly in shade by the huge oak tree in our backyard.

Depends...how much shade is there? Or is it in the sun most of the day?

 

[ZippoGeek]

Depends...how much shade is there? Or is it in the sun most of the day?

Ahh, didn't read closely enough SHADE, dummy!
http://www.naturesfinestseed.com/grass-seed/mid-west-and-mid-atlantic

I gotta do the same thing this year myself...not looking forward to it.

 

[bostoneo]

Thank you jolietilfire.

Zippogeek, its in shade all day.

 

[ZippoGeek]

The other perrenial seeds should be a decent blend of 2-3 blue grass seeds, perrenial fescue and Rye with one other perrenial listed.

Good to know sir. I was gonna go 100% Kentucky Blue if I could.

 

[Cigary43]

Astro Turf....no watering....no weeds...no mower....no work. After 3 years it pays for itself and looks stunning everyday...talk about curb appeal.

 

[Jfire]

Good to know sir. I was gonna go 100% Kentucky Blue if I could.

Most likely you'd never get it to take unless you have two weeks to sit and watch it actually sprout then grow. "True blue" (Kentucky) is very slow growing. You need some Rye and fescue to come in faster. Then the KB comes in after.

 

[Lezanstar]

Get either Scott's, Pennington or go to a supply store that you trust. (Country stores that carry fertilizer, animal feed and bird seed normally carry good grass seed).
Look for a northern turf blend.
Should have NO MORE THAN 20% annual anything (rye fescue etc)
The other perrenial seeds should be a decent blend of 2-3 blue grass seeds,
perrenial fescue and Rye with one other perrenial listed.
THE MOST IMPORTANT SEED FACT:
The noxious plant/weed seed ratio should be like .003 or LESS.
20 lbs of grass seed can be a million seeds. Want to guess what .003 of a million is!?!?
Your list (imo)
20 lbs starter fertilizer.
25lbs northern turf blend seed
A rear time tiller rented from lowes, hd or menards.
Round up concentrate
1 gallon pump sprayer.
A landscapers rake rented from above
Instructions:
Spray yard with round up. Wait 2 weeks. Till yard up. Rake even. Remove waist. Sow new seed. Immediately put down starter at appropriate rates for new lawns listed on bag. Water 2x Daily for two weeks. Reduce watering to every 3 day and then once a week for next two weeks.

Wouldn't you use hay/straw over top of the seed? I have always done this and had good results. Holds in moisture, provides a little protection from birds and helps prevent erosion.

 

[Jfire]

Yes, exactly right! But normally hardware stores don't have straw. And watering it twice a day should still get it to come in decent. But if he can get straw definitely. Or the expensive grass mat works as well.

 

[Lezanstar]

Can usually find a bale on Craigslist. And very cheap!

 

[Lomey]

I would follow Jfires advice above and then just reseed and fertilize again in the Fall and follow the watering advice. Fall (late Sept) is the best time to plant grass when it's starting to go dormant. It allows all the energy to go for the roots to develop strong without putting any energy into growing blades of grass. Also no heat stress on the grass. Fertilize again in Nov/Dec. Most important feeding time.

I have found that a local nursery or supply store is the best place to buy grass seed. They have been selling what works for your area for years.

 

[Jfire]

I would follow Jfires advice above and then just reseed and fertilize again in the Fall and follow the watering advice. Fall (late Sept) is the best time to plant grass when it's starting to go dormant. It allows all the energy to go for the roots to develop strong without putting any energy into growing blades of grass. Also no heat stress on the grass. Fertilize again in Nov/Dec. Most important feeding time.

I have found that a local nursery or supply store is the best place to buy grass seed. They have been selling what works for your area for years.

Very sound advice!
I reseed my lawn almost every year to some extent. After lawn aeration it gets about 25lbs a year. (.80 acres) The first year it received 50 lbs right from the start. This will be the 4th year but it's almost at a exceptable level. Now if I can just get the 12 tress planted this spring. My house list will finally be done.

 

[Lomey]

Very sound advice!
I reseed my lawn almost every year to some extent. After lawn aeration it gets about 25lbs a year. (.80 acres) The first year it received 50 lbs right from the start. This will be the 4th year but it's almost at a exceptable level. Now if I can just get the 12 tress planted this spring. My house list will finally be done.

I also reseed almost every Fall. Just keeps it strong and healthy.