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Is it too late to plant grass seed in lawn? #751312

Asked May 21, 2021, 2:22 PM EDT

Hi, I live in Little Canada. At least half of my yard is dead. Is it too late into the season to plant grass seed? I had planned to rent a slit seeder machine to do this, but I am worried it is too late for grass to grow. If that is the case, I will have sod laid down. Of course, I would rather seed if still possible. What do you recommend? Thank you

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing. 

It is too late to seed. You will be having a max growth rate when the plant does not have the mature roots in the summer heat. https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns

A key question is why your lawn is dead?  Perhaps you have grubs  https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles#:~:text=Japanese%20beetle%20grubs%20are%20pests,southeast%20region%20of%20the%20state

Perhaps it is compacted or depleted of organic material.  I might be able to help you more with a picture.

I suggest that you wait until August, slit, and seed.  Consider fine fescue grass which is hardier than bluegrass.  https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/renovating-lawn-quality-and-sustainability

https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/what-type-of-grass-should-i-plant-in-minneapolis-mn/

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied May 21, 2021, 3:18 PM EDT
Thanks for the recommendation to wait.  So, I killed the yard with glyphosate to address increasingly bad quack grass on infestation.  So yard is dead, dead.  

I don’t mind waiting until fall to reseed, but worried I will have soil run off or weed problems with just dead turf there.  

In this case, would you recommend removing turf and sodding yard instead of waiting?  

Thank you again.. 

On Fri, May 21, 2021 at 2:18 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 21, 2021, 3:58 PM EDT

Glycophosphate kills all plants (aka food for pollinators). Don't sod now.  Just till in compost and wait until August. 

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied May 21, 2021, 5:56 PM EDT

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