posted
We have recently replaced our existing lawn with fresh sod (grass type unknown)and would like to prevent the issues that led us to replace the existing lawn, like significant moss growth and weed proliferation.
Any suggestions that could be provided on preventing these two common blights would be appreciated. My preference would be a natural solution, but I would resort to chemicals if necessary!
By way of environmental factors, most of the lawn receives sun exposure for at least a couple hours when we have sun (remember that I am in Seattle). We are currently watering twice daily to allow the sod to take root. Our neighbors to the north have significant weed issues and don't mow regularly causing a perfect breeding ground for new weeds.
Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated!
Plants: 1 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Aug 2005
| Seeded: 67.183.18.69
posted
To start with you will need to keep your sod well watered until it is rooted. Once this is done half your headaches are over. Oh btw DON"T FERTILIZE IT YET!!! As far as the moss goes, it will usually grow in an area that receives too much water, or the soil has turned acidic. Once the sod is rooted you will only need to give it about a half an inch of water, every other day to maintain it. If your soil is turning acidic, then you may need to apply some pelletized lime to it. Do your self a favor and don't use that white granular stuff, the pelletized is much cleaner. In most cases you will need to apply the lime between 25 and 30 lbs per 1000 sq feet. *Yes I said LBS*
Once your lawn has grown in it should help to relieve the weed problem as it will be so thick it will keep them choked out. However if some do appear, an application of Ortho's Weed-b-Gone should help you out. Just follow the directions on the label. Stay away from the weed and feed type products because unless you happen top have perfect conditions the stuff usually does not work. Go ahead and give it a fall fertilization with a good winterizer type fert, something in the range of 18-2-18 and you should be all set.
quote:Originally posted by Sara in Seattle: would like to prevent the issues that led us to replace the existing lawn, like significant moss growth and weed proliferation.
Well, in order for that to happen you have to fix the problems that caused it in the first place. There was a reason that grass would not grow there before and that needs to be corrected. Can you offer any more info? It sounds like it may not get enough sun. 2 hours is really not enough light for turfgrass to thrive. This may have caused the thin grass and hence the moss growth. Moss is a creature of opportunity. It will grow where the grass doesn't grow. It doesn't necessarily need acidic soil or wet conditions to grow as most people think. What happens is that those conditions will cause the grass NOT to grow there and in turn the moss will move in. As far as the weeds go, they are very easy to control as long as you are not opposed to using chemicals on occasion until you can get the turf thriving which will, in turn, create your best defense against weeds.
* * * * John - Zone 6 Plants: 1068 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Aug 2005
| Seeded: 209.178.236.58
login | 
| 
| 
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this garden