Seed first when there’s grubs? - Ask Extension
I’m in Dearborn. I put in my front lawn 2 1/2 years ago, but the next Spring it was eaten up by grubs. So last Spring, I put down grub chemicals, bu...
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Seed first when there’s grubs? #862454
Asked March 25, 2024, 12:37 PM EDT
I’m in Dearborn. I put in my front lawn 2 1/2 years ago, but the next Spring it was eaten up by grubs. So last Spring, I put down grub chemicals, but I had to wait 8 weeks to seed, and it was too late for the grass seed to grow. Birds are taking dust baths in my front yard! What should I do first & when. (I’m assuming crabgrass pre-emergent & fertilizing are out until this is under control.)
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
First I recommend doing a soil test on your yard. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs, look great and at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Tell them you are seeding a (new or thin) lawn.
Next let's think about grub control. Here are good articles:
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU - note that timing w/ correct active ingredient is necessary for success
Effective Home Lawn Grub Control-MSU
How Do I Treat for Grubs in My Lawn-UNH
Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass-Purdue
Probably best to wait until next year for grub control. Do check for grubs as outlined in the "How to..." article to verify they are in your lawn in sufficient quantities to cause damage.
Fall seeding is preferred because cooler temperatures and fall rains encourage lawn germination & establishment before winter and there is less weed competition. Spring seeding means weed competition and little time for lawn establishment before hot, dry summers start, thus requiring summer watering to allow turf survival. Info on seeding your lawn in the following links:
If spring seeding read the attached articles:
Spring Reseeding Tips-MSU
Spring Lawn Seeding-OSU
Lawn Renovation & Over-seeding-UMass
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
Renovation of Lawns-PSU
If seeding a new lawn (fall is preferred) more articles:
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU - good info on planting in this article for planting any time
Turfgrass species ID & Cultivar Selection (E2912)-MSU - info on what species of grass for your seed mix to plant
Seeding & Sodding Home Lawns-UMN
Lawn Establishment Steps-PSU
What you haven't indicated is how thin your lawn is, leaving me unsure whether to recommend a) seeding a lawn w/o any existing turf or b) renovating an existing (thin) lawn that has existing turf. You'll need to make the call. I've had much more success with fall seeding than spring seeding. Follow the fertilizer recommendations from your soil test either way you decide to go. Crabgrass pre-emergent application timing is NOW (GDD Tracking-Spring Crabgrass Prevention-MSU) but don't apply it if you plan to spring seed again, followed by irrigation this summer.
Next let's think about grub control. Here are good articles:
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU - note that timing w/ correct active ingredient is necessary for success
Effective Home Lawn Grub Control-MSU
How Do I Treat for Grubs in My Lawn-UNH
Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass-Purdue
Probably best to wait until next year for grub control. Do check for grubs as outlined in the "How to..." article to verify they are in your lawn in sufficient quantities to cause damage.
Fall seeding is preferred because cooler temperatures and fall rains encourage lawn germination & establishment before winter and there is less weed competition. Spring seeding means weed competition and little time for lawn establishment before hot, dry summers start, thus requiring summer watering to allow turf survival. Info on seeding your lawn in the following links:
If spring seeding read the attached articles:
Spring Reseeding Tips-MSU
Spring Lawn Seeding-OSU
Lawn Renovation & Over-seeding-UMass
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
Renovation of Lawns-PSU
If seeding a new lawn (fall is preferred) more articles:
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU - good info on planting in this article for planting any time
Turfgrass species ID & Cultivar Selection (E2912)-MSU - info on what species of grass for your seed mix to plant
Seeding & Sodding Home Lawns-UMN
Lawn Establishment Steps-PSU
What you haven't indicated is how thin your lawn is, leaving me unsure whether to recommend a) seeding a lawn w/o any existing turf or b) renovating an existing (thin) lawn that has existing turf. You'll need to make the call. I've had much more success with fall seeding than spring seeding. Follow the fertilizer recommendations from your soil test either way you decide to go. Crabgrass pre-emergent application timing is NOW (GDD Tracking-Spring Crabgrass Prevention-MSU) but don't apply it if you plan to spring seed again, followed by irrigation this summer.
