Knowledgebase

grass question #777879

Asked November 15, 2021, 4:09 PM EST

Several questions on grass 1. Is there a best month to put down grass seed to established lawn? 2. If I put down seed do I have to wait for a certain period to put down a weed killer to kill things like dandelions? 3. I see these beautiful pictures of people with uniform green grass. My grass has some thinner blades which I like and some thick blades which I dont like as much. If I want the thinner looking blades to dominant the grass what kind of seed should I buy and do I have to dig out the thicker blade grass. I want to improve the look of the yard. attaching pics 4. I have my yard aeroated but did not see much improvements, these yard companies always pushing it. I had a neighbor that swears that dethatching has improved his lawn tremendously. He did it by hand with a dethatching rake. Whenever I talk to lawn companies about dethatching they play it down, without even looking at the yard. I do have some browness under the grass in areas. What is your thoughts on this?

Lucas County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi Gary. 

The answer to  your questions (and more) can be found in this article.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-4031

But to reply to your questions

1. Best time to seed a lawn is between Aug 15 and Sept 15. It's too late for seedlings to establish good growth to survive winter so it's best to wait until spring.

2. I don't think there's a period to wait to apply weed killers for newly seeded lawn if you use products that only kill broadleaf weeds and not grass. Please follow the label direction for your and your lawn safety. You might damage you seeding if you walk on them very early on.

3. The recommended grass type for Ohio is Turf-type tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass.

3a. I'm sorry to say that yes you will have to dig out the grass that you don't like (love the picture names) so that your desired grass will have a chance.

4. Dethatching does improve water and air movement in the soil. The browness you see is probably old grass (thatch) and yes raking it out would benefit your lawn.

It's going to take a bit of work to get the lawn you want but be persistent. Once your desired grass is established and healthy, the weeds will have less chance to thrive. Good Luck.

Yen.H OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied November 16, 2021, 2:06 PM EST
I really appreciate your quick answers.  Another couple of questions. 
1 I was given some grass seed recently. If I put it down in the spring should I put in inside like a basement where it is warm? I have an outside shed but not heated.
2. Is there a best time of year to dethatch?

Thanks

Gary Edwards

On Nov 16, 2021, at 2:06 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied November 16, 2021, 4:44 PM EST

Hi Gary.

It is a good idea to store your seeds where they will not be exposed to freezing temperatures so a basement that is cool and dry may be your best bet. Make sure that you keep it dry.

I am not able to find  research based source with which to base my reply so here are two commercial articles with good discussion.

Seed Storage (dlfpickseed.com)

5 Tips On How To Preserve Grass Seeds For The Next Season (theonesunflower.com)

Generally the best time to dethatch is when the grass is actively growing. 

It's best to dethatch late spring to early summer for warm-season grass such as bermudagrass or zoysia.

It's best to dethatch in late summer or early fall for cool-season grass such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, or Ryegrass.

Again, I am sending a link to a commercial site but it does have good info (sorry for all the advertisements)

Best Time To Dethatch Lawn — (Plus Dethatching Tips) - Bovees, Where The Growing Begins!

Sounds like you will be working on your lawn next year so enjoy your winter!

Yen.H OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied November 17, 2021, 9:23 AM EST

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