Fall grass seeding - Ask Extension
I’m helping my neighbor re-establish grass in her back yard which had become bare of grass except for some crabgrass. I used a garden tiller to ruff...
Knowledgebase
Fall grass seeding #810436
Asked September 12, 2022, 1:15 PM EDT
I’m helping my neighbor re-establish grass in her back yard which had become bare of grass except for some crabgrass. I used a garden tiller to ruff up the ground and planted sun and shade grass seed in late June. We watered it well and the shady areas of the yard greened up with the new seed as you can see in the photos. However the large sunny area of the did not , as you can see, take hold despite watering and we are now left with about 90% crabgrass. What do we do next? Try to replant now or wait till spring when I would put down pre-emergent crabgrass preventer and then replant? If we replant now do I kill the crab grass and then replant? I expect I should plant full sun seed either way.
Polk County Iowa
Expert Response
Hi Dennis. We contacted our Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulture experts and their suggestion is below.
I would just try to rake the area and seed it as soon as possible. The crabgrass will die with the first frost so the grass should get a good start this fall. Next spring put out a preemergence for crabgrass on that area. I would plant a full sun seed in that area. Keep it watered through the fall.
I would just try to rake the area and seed it as soon as possible. The crabgrass will die with the first frost so the grass should get a good start this fall. Next spring put out a preemergence for crabgrass on that area. I would plant a full sun seed in that area. Keep it watered through the fall.
