Im gonna be looking for some assistance with my lawn , what is going on with this yard?

[Martsmac]

As the topic suggests I have no idea how to turn this into a nice looking green lawn. I have had a bunch of trees removed (silver maples on the right side and back of the yard) and a line of junipers on the left side of the yard that were removed before we moved in.

We are soon having the remaining stumps ground down, but I have no idea what grass is even growing there right now or where to start (post stump removal) to get a nice lawn growing.

So far all I have put down was scotts grub ex in the early spring , then more recently scotts weed and feed x2 this month (pictures included are from a couple of months ago. I will update them with newer ones when I get home. Edit: I live in Connecticut so It's cool season grass/grasses I assume.

 

[Chuck]

As the topic suggests I have no idea how to turn this into a nice looking green lawn. I have had a bunch of trees removed (silver maples on the right side and back of the yard) and a line of junipers on the left side of the yard that were removed before we moved in.

We are soon having the remaining stumps ground down, but I have no idea what grass is even growing there right now or where to start (post stump removal) to get a nice lawn growing.

So far all I have put down was scotts grub ex in the early spring , then more recently scotts weed and feed x2 this month (pictures included are from a couple of months ago. I will update them with newer ones when I get home. Edit: I live in Connecticut so It's cool season grass/grasses I assume.

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It looks as if you have the same grass as your neighbors. I would NEVER apply Scotts to anything. You will be money ahead by applying a thin layer of compost and then fertilize. Find out what kind of grass it is and then re-seed or put in a few squares of turf. Keep your grass mowed regularly and don't let the weeds go to seed and pretty soon you won't have any weeds. The reason the grass is patchy is probably because those areas were shaded by the trees.

 

[DirtMechanic]

If you use pre-emergents or selective herbicide like image or trimec their effects can easily last a year during which time you will not grow seed. They really cause a catch 22 and have some nasty chemistry in which you would not care to walk barefoot. You might try mixing seed with milorganite and use their recommended holiday schedule.

 

[Mrsclem]

We have acidic clay soil and were having runoff issues and nothing but weeds. We put in zoysia plugs. It takes time to spread but once it does, its low maintainance and weed resistant.

 

[Martsmac]

You can grow Zoyisa in new england? I thought it was a warm weather grass?

 

[Mrsclem]

Ya ,didn't notice your location. Zoysia can be grown as far north as New York but in Connecticut it may not do well.

 

[Martsmac]

I wanted to post a couple more pictures, the first 5 are kindof overview perspective taken out of my spare bedroom window of the back lawn to give you guys an Idea of what we are dealing with, the latter few pics are close ups of just some of the weeds we have growing close to the house (but that are prevalent throughout the entire lawn pretty much) These were all taken today about lunchtime.

All we have done to our backyard so far is had a bunch of maple trees removed (and partially ground down) we intend to have them ground all the way then have the mound on the right lowered before revamping the lawn but this is all new to us so we don't really know what we are doing !!???!!!!

 

[Martsmac]

Heres a question. If I go with the killing my lawn off by covering it with black plastic method, which type of black plastic should I use?

 

[DirtMechanic]

Heres a question. If I go with the killing my lawn off by covering it with black plastic method, which type of black plastic should I use?

Cheapest. But opaque. And then the disposal is an issue re oceans.

 

[Martsmac]

So will smothering with a tarp kill all plant-life and any seeds/roots that may be in the soil if left on for long enough?

 

[Chuck]

So will smothering with a tarp kill all plant-life and any seeds/roots that may be in the soil if left on for long enough?

If the tarp is thin enough to let heat through it will but aren't most tarps fairly small. The most inexpensive plastic is the stuff building/cement contractors use under the slab of a house. I've always used black but it can be clear and work just as well. It comes in different widths and lengths in a roll.

 

[DirtMechanic]

So will smothering with a tarp kill all plant-life and any seeds/roots that may be in the soil if left on for long enough?

In the sense of seasonal or inside a year type timeframes yes. I would suggest it be viewed as a 6 month cure. Longer and things really can pock up the pace about growing again. Nutsedge would be one.

If the tarp is thin enough to let heat through it will but aren't most tarps fairly small. The most inexpensive plastic is the stuff building/cement contractors use under the slab of a house. I've always used black but it can be clear and work just as well. It comes in different widths and lengths in a roll.

I will respond clear is better as solar heat will be increase with clear vs Opaque.

 

[Martsmac]

Wait so you are saying if I leave it on for up to 6 months it should kill everything?? (The end goal is to be able to plant grass there eventually so it will become part of the lawn) but that if i leave it on LONGER than 6 months and stuff will start growing again?

 

[Chuck]

Wait so you are saying if I leave it on for up to 6 months it should kill everything?? (The end goal is to be able to plant grass there eventually so it will become part of the lawn) but that if i leave it on LONGER than 6 months and stuff will start growing again?

Stuff will start growing again if you leave it on for 5 years. What happens when you solarize is that the plants roots are killed and the top of the soil seeds and underground seeds will either sprout or become inviolable. Some of the bacteria and fungi will also be killed but is easily replaceable. 6 months is just a number not a law of nature.