New Lawn with problems

first due – posted 20 July 2006 19:40

Hi everyone just happened upon the site while doing some searching and realized just how much info is available in just this site. Unfortunatly I didn’t see any specific help so here goes my question. First a little back round.

I purchased a new home with no landscape or lawn included, so since April I have done the following.

All pine trees removed, new top soil was brought in and spread. I put down seed which was a mix of creeping red fescue, perennial rye, and kentucky blue. Then starter fert. All down before memorial day. Since then I have applied plent of H2O, fert every 4 weeks. Once it started to germinate it was thick, dark green. Once established I put down a post emergent and insect control and still fertilized and watered.

By now you’re probably thinking, OK where’s the problem? Well… now I have a BIG problem with bentgrass taking over!! I’m not sure how to get it back to the thick dark green. All products that I used are Lesco so the quality is there. I really don’t want to kill off everything that’s established but I’ve heard that’s the only way to get ride of the bentgrass.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Sorry for being so long winded.PS I’m located in Connecticut if that helps.

tommy – posted 20 July 2006 23:22

There are several products you can use without starting over. Bentgrass is sensitive to many common lawn products….and this you can use to your advantage. Broadleaf weed killer will not harm most grasses, but will harm bentgrass. Weed preventer products (such as ‘Scotts Halts’) will also harm bentgrass, and you can use it in the spring and fall as part of your regular maint. schedule. MSMA (crabgrass killer) is also very toxic to bentgrass.

tommy – posted 21 July 2006 09:20

…..also, check labels before buying! If a product says- do not use on bentgrass- thats the one for your situation. There are some broadleaf weed killers on the market that will not harm bent,(i think ‘Ortho’ is marketing such a product), so obviously you would not want to use that one.

first due – posted 23 July 2006 04:45

I did put down Lesco’s weed and feed. Supposed to control broad leaf weeds, which it did, but didn’t affect the bent grass.

Steve