Brand new lawn

stanmyers – posted 21 September 2004 07:39

I have a brand new plot of land (appx 7500 sq ft) I have 4 inches of composted cow manure and top soil sitting on top of sand. I know its late in the season but is it too late too seed and what is the latest I can seed ?what type of grass seed would sprout faster this time of year. I was thinking about adding some lime, peat moss, starter fertilizer and shredded wood chips to the soil…the soil has been screened thoroghly and is very fine…is this wise and what else do you think should be added.

Is there any product out the that will kill dormant weed seeds and what can i do to prevent an over growth of weeds before the lawn has a chance to set up healthy.

thanksStanley

In case you need to know I am in dover Deleware…I am new too the area so I am not sure when it starts to get cold here.

cking – posted 22 September 2004 09:25

I would go with fescue in Delaware. It is the perfect time to seed. My choice would be Lesco brand, but most of the premium brands are fine (but don’t get KY bluegrass). With the preperation you have already done, I don’t think you need additional fertilizer. Not sure about the lime though. You may want to take a soil sample and adjust accordingly after you get the seed down. Good luck.

cohiba – posted 24 September 2004 06:45

cking,

Why adjust the pH after the seed is down? I always thought that pH was best adjusted while the seed bed preparation was being done. That way the full 4-6″ of rootzone had the same pH. Lime only moves down about 1″ per year in the soil profile.

Enlighten me…………

cking – posted 24 September 2004 11:38

It is starting to get a little cool in DE. If he takes a soil sample to get tested (mine took 2 weeks to come back) he is now into mid October. When dealing with a brand new lawn (even further south) I like to get seed down in September. And I wouldn’t put down lime unless I knew that the soil was acidic. There, you’re enlightened.