Landscaping and law care question
 

So I have a small patch of grass in the back yard. I turned off the sprinkler this summer because there was a problem with it. So the grass died (not just hybernated... it hasn't returned since watering resumed).

What has come back in a lot of weeds.

So I'm looking to start over.

Looking for suggestions on techniques to get back to green grass (it's about time to plant winter rye grass out here in AZ so I think the timing is OK).

I have a gallon of Ground Clear, but I don't want to use that anywhere I want grass. I have some Weed and Feed, but I wasn't sure if that was the right thing at this point (killing off the weeds first?).

Also, what's the best way to get rid of the weeds? Kill them and mow them as low as possible? Weed eater? I can't pull them all out. It's nearly the whole lawn at this point.

Any tips, techniques or suggestions?

Kill all the weeds. Round up is fine. Your soil will be fine. After the weeds are dead then spread the seed. I am assuming you have just dirt. If you have dead grass, rake it up the best you can. Rye grass grows easily so just spreading it with a spreader and watering is fine. If you want to go the extra mile throw some hay on top of the seed. By the time the hay decomposes your grass will be in. Don't use any fertilizer until the grass germinates, imo. Then use regular fertilizer, not a heavy duty "green in a day" type stuff or you risk burning out the new grass. Keep the seeds moist but don't overwater. I know that is a job in AZ with it being so dry but that is key. Rye grass should germintate in about 10 days or so. I would suggest though spreading another type of seed along with your rye. Something that is tolerant of your climate there.

someone really knows his grass

Yeah, kill the weeds first. DO NOT use anything with residual control (extended control, controls weeds for X number of weeks, etc.). If you're feeling frisky, you could till it up, then spread the seed out, water like you've never watered before, and pull every single weed that germinates. Buy some starter fertilizer until it gets established and then use regular. The biggest thing is not letting the seed bed dry out.
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Thanks Pete! A few questions:

Round up is NOT Ground Clear (the everything is dead for a year stuff), right?

There are two things that are left when the weeks are killed. Lots of dead (black looking) grass stalks plus the dead weed stalks. I could mow them down as low as possible (with a bagger). But raking doesn't seem like it would remove anything beyond the mowing. I wonder if weed eating down to dirt makes any sense. Or maybe a better technique. Or maybe that's overkill?

How long will that take?

Roundup is NOT ground clear. I'd go to a green house and have them verify what it is. Don't use anything like Weed be gone, that just kills broadleaves.

If I were you, I'd use your weedeater and mow it down. Then I'd use a shovel and try to to break up the soil. Typically, you have to get the seed 1/4 inch under the dirt (can be done with a rake.

I'd use grass clippings instead of hay, since you mentioned you have those. It'll take probably 10 days to germinate and several weeks to get hearty enough to look like the other grass.
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Round up dies at it hits the soil, contrary to popualr belief. It only kill swhat it comes in contact with, e.g. the leaves on the weeds. You can go out and pull the weeds or mow them, it doesn't really matter, they are dead. If they are all over the yard I would wait until they are pretty much gone. I was talking about raking up the thatch so the seeds can make contact with the soil. Weed eating down to soil is probably overkill. Just give everyting a good low mow. Hay can take a month or two to decompose. There is also some stuff Scotts makes that is like a mulch that you can lay down on top of the seeds. It is green and helps keep the seeds moist. You might want to do that instead of hay. Or you can just throw down the seed and keep it watered.

If your yard is covered in weeds then after you spray the Round Up I would wait a few days for them to all die off an then mow them up. The seed has to have a place to go afterall. Also make sure you overseed. And you will want to re-seed in the spring and then again next fall. Repeat that process for a couple years, seed in spring and fall. After the yard comes in and is thick then you can seed just in the fall.

You can take Buehler's advice and try a starter fertlizer. It isn't uncommon, just not a practice I am not a fan of.

He is planting rye grass. Therefore the soil prep really ins't as important as it would be for other grasses.

Mow it as short as your mower will go. Then rent a verticutter and verticut it. Then overseed as recommended for "bare yard" and put down starter fertilizer at the same time. Water. It will begin to come up in about a week. You better get on it, as it is almost too late. A month from now, put down a winterizer like Snowman fertilizer. Then in the spring, put down a pre emergent crabgrass control in april, then hit it with a weed and feed type product in may and again in july or so. You should have a health stand of grass by next fall. this is how a lawn company would do it for you.

I see. I guess I don't know anything about Rye grass.
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I have heard Rye called "throw and go" a lot. It isn't picky. Rye is like "have dirt, will grow". But I agree you are right about the soild for every other type of grass and it would not hurt in the least if he did prep the soil.

Saw this when googling verticutter. That lawn looks a lot like mine but I have some more weeds.

http://ecosystems-management.com/tur...enovation.html

kill the weeds then grab the rake. You can rent a verticutter but you will be raking anyway so just put some elbow grease in and rake up the thatch. That will prep the soil as well. If your yard is large then rent the verticutter. If it is small, like under 5000 sq ft, then just rake it. A good solid rake, not a flimsy leaf rake is what you want.