Preperation for Tall Fescue

WIZARD130775 – posted 06 October 2005 10:06

I will be planting a new lawn this weekend. We have a new construction home and a really weed infested and patchy lawn at the moment. The weeds look like a typw of grass but grow in large circular patches outward. the roots are deep. We have Extremely hard red clay dirt here in Raleigh, NC. I am told that the nutrients are all in the soil but the soil is way too compact. I would like to purchase topsoil and spread it out over the existing weeds, etc. and replant fescue. I am worried that the weeds will come up through the new soil and choke my new seed. My question is. Will the weeds die or thrive with a layer of soil on top of them? How much screened soil do I use? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

friend – posted 12 October 2005 22:36

You should definitely spray with Round-Up (glyphosate) to control the noxious grassy weeds; if you do not do so, the weeds will over run your proposed turf area. If you eliminate the bad stuff now, your chances of developing a uniform turf will be much greater. Try not to disturb the area for at least 7 days after applying the glyphosate; once every thing is dead, remove all of the non-living material, grade the soil, till (not too deep), add your soil amendments, irrigate lightly, and then plant your seed.

Good luck

ted – posted 13 October 2005 17:50

i’m thinking it may be too late for the roundup to be effective- should have been done earlier- check your local temps- it needs to be warm and wet for the roundup to work.