Reviving sodded lawn

[Rebelfive]

Just getting started in lawn care. One of the lawns I picked up was sodded about 5 years ago. Northern Iowa, lawn is thin, weeded and looks bad. Put down the fert/pre-emergent and will be spraying for weeds. Wondering how to revive lawn, maybe the next fert with something to help root development.
Thoughts??

[Dr.NewEarth]

If you weren't using pesticides I would suggest overseeding and broadcast spreading a starter fertilizer.
That will help the roots of the old turf also.
You could top dress with soil, about a half inch deep too. But that's only if you aren't using pesticides. They'll kill the grass seed.

[Smallaxe]

The only way to get an idea is to see a cross-section of the soil profile... Compacted, sandy, layered, wet, dry, rootzone depth, real thatch, etc... Just take a look and start from there...
The grass blades are only a reflection of the vitality of the roots...

[Rebelfive]

Put on pre-emergent with fert and it is starting to come back. Supplier suggested the next fert should have higher phospurus (sp) for root development. Will look into the soil profile.

Thanks.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by Rebelfive

Put on pre-emergent with fert and it is starting to come back. Supplier suggested the next fert should have higher phospurus (sp) for root development. Will look into the soil profile.

Thanks.

Of course the supplier would suggest buying more product. You need to soil test to determine nutrient requirements.