Need a quick answer - spring overseed in KY?

[Budman]

I have a back yard that has a lot of bare patched and muddy areas due to past damage from moles. I am in northern Kentucky, and I was wondering if it is too early in the year to overseed. I was planning to use a tall fescue blend (Falcon) to try to get something established before the warmer weather gets here. Can anyone give me some feedback on this? I realize that the fall is the ideal time to put down seed, but I need to get something going for now or the yard will be a mud bog.

Also, would it be best to just go over it with a slit seeder and then roll it out, or would I better off to till, broadcast seed, and then roll it? I was considering the till just because the tunnels have heaved the soil up so badly. Also, what kind of mulch would be recommended?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[mustang101n]

I have about the same problem in my own back yard...I'm debating using a fescue/rye mix...using lawn roller for the mole tunnel then slit seed. Also debating using organic pre-germination on seed...[I would really be testing, because its my yard...]

Other ideas???

[Smallaxe]

Broadcast the seed, cover with compost, soak it good without allowing it to 'run' then stop.
Keep it from drying out. When the temp is right then it will sprout. Then keep that moist until it can stand on it own.

Let me know when the CG shows up in your area.

[Budman]

Let me know when the CG shows up in your area.

Can you elaborate?

[Smallaxe]

There seems to be some question as to which will germinate first. With proper coverage and moisture your lawn grasses should pop as soon as the temperature is good.

CG (crabgrass) can also pop anywhere at anytime. But I have never seen it germinate in the spring with other grasses.
So I am curious if it pops in your springtime seeding or not?
But like you said either mudbog for the summer - or - a shot at some grass.

Research was done and pre-m is safe for new lawns once the 3rd leaf appears. [according to someone on this site]

[Budman]

CG=CrabGrass - I guess I don't spend enough time here on the forum. :)

I am less worried about the crabgrass than I am about the other weeds. I had a lot of problems with a chickweed-like plant that tried to overrun the yard. It has small leaves on it like chickweed and tiny purple or blue flowers. I'm sure CG is there too, but this other stuff is more invasive.

We had a nice soaking rain last night. Glad I got it in yesterday. I'm going to run a roller over it this morning to flatten out the remainder of the mole tunnels, then put some bait in any tunnels that come back.

[GracesLandscaping]

If you are just trying to get grass to come up as quick as possible, use KY 31 Fescue. It will work in your location and it was invented to come up as fast as possible and its also quite a bit cheaper than the Falcon Fescue. I have used the Falcon on my lawn and i like it fine, but for your situation i think the KY 31 would be the best thing. be sure to apply a starter fert also to ensure the quick germinatino. then in the fall you could spread the Falcon or whatever other nice grass you would like. Im not sure what you are trying to prevent as far as weeds but I have always gone by the method of not spraying or applying any pre emergents until at least 4 mows (or four weeks) after the grass comes up. most people in this area (western KY) will seed in mid to late march and then apply the first spray ap of 2-4-D in mid may and it seems to work out just fine! hope this helps. if you ahve any questions feel free to pm me!

[RigglePLC]

K-31 is old fashioned and has a wide blade; Falcon is better, but it is still 20 years behind modern blends. Try something like "Durana" or "Greystone". For even faster germination try a rye like "Jet". Wait until daytime temps hit 65 degrees.

The chickweed-like weed with tiny purple flowers is likely Veronica (speedwell)
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dveronica&w=499&h=630&imgurl=www.missouriplants.com%2FBlueopp%2FVeronica_comosa_plant.jpg&size=65.5kB&name=Veronica_comosa_plant.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.missouriplants.com%2FBlueopp%2FVeronica_comosa_page.html&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.missouriplants.com%2FBlueopp%2FVeronica_comosa_page.html&p=veronica&type=jpeg&no=1&tt=2%2C178&oid=16c2164f766e6a00&tit=Veronica_comosa_plant.jpg&sigr=11v1cpgc7&sigi=11on5hmdu&sigb=11i3qoses
Very difficult to kill--however it is a winter annual. Sprouts in October and dies when temp in spring hits about 85. Should be gone by middle of June. Spray fall and spring--repeat as needed.