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Starting a lawn from seed, fortifying the soil #879644

Asked July 31, 2024, 5:30 PM EDT

Hello, The website is great and has answered many of my questions but I have a question about starting steps with my situation. My backyard has been basically all weeds for a couple of summers. This summer there were some particularly nasty weeds including Canada Lettuce and Japanese Knotweed, also goldenrod, richweed, ragweed, and horseweed. I've been spraying sections of the yard with Roundup and having good luck. I would like to start planting grass seed now that there are bare spots. I had a soil test done and it recommended a 10-0-0 fertilizer. (I'm attaching the soil test results.) My questions are: 1. Should I apply the fertilizer to the soil before I plant the grass seed? and 2. Can you reccomend what sort of grass I should plant? Kentucky Blue grass or a fescue? There are no children around. The yard would get just gentle use. It is mostly sunny with a small section that gets some shade. Thank you very much.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good for you for getting a soil test. It will always tell you what your soil is lacking and give recommendations to tackle any issues. 

You will want to fertilize the lawn, not the soil. We are now moving into the best time to seed your lawn. You want the temperatures to be in the mid 70’s and cooler nights. 

Fall is a great time to seed your lawn. If you seed now be sure to keep the seed well watered until it germinates and then while it is young. 

I would recommend a good fescue blend as they are drought tolerant and good for this climate. There are good mixes on the market. Be sure to purchase fresh seed from a good nursery - not a big chain store. Only purchase as much as you will use this year. If you have to reseed in the spring, buy fresh seed. 

You may also want to consider a bee lawn.

https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn

https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/planting-and-maintaining-fine-fescue-lawn

https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lawn-care-calendar


Deb Reierson Replied August 01, 2024, 10:48 PM EDT
Thank you so much.  I didn't even think of a Bee Lawn but I'm reading all of the information and will probably do half if not all of my back years as a bee lawn.  I think I will also use creeping thyme as a ground cover around my lilac bushes.
On Thu, Aug 1, 2024 at 9:49 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 02, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT

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