First, you didn't flunk Lawn 101. You got a B in 2006, a C in 2007 (for late seeding) and an A so far in 2008. Nothing you did was wrong, but the timing for seeding was off a bit.

1) Round Up. We hesitate to mention specific chemical names for companies. The generic glyphosate works just fine and it's essentially the same stuff. Also, so many of us are organic and the R word stuff isn't.

2) Compost and peat moss will both decay away in about five years, so the soil is going to settle. Certainly you can mix either lightly (say, an inch or so every ten inches of soil), or skip it and use organic feeding methods. If your soil is really bad, I'd mix it.

You can usually get compost from your local garden store, big box store, or delivered bulk from a supplier.

The other option is to use 1/4" as a topdress for your seeding. Over time, the decay products work into the soil and enrichen it, plus you kill two birds with one stone and don't need to otherwise mulch the seed. Plus, the worms like it. :-)

3) Go right ahead and use it. If it was stored in a cold garage, it's completely fine. If stored in a warm house, you lose some germination but it's not that significant over six months.

You can't wait too much longer for a spring seeding (and might want to consider using Siduron or Tupersan as a pre-emergent when seeding). So you probably don't have time to wait for the soil results.

That's OK, you can work on correcting those issues afterward. Right now, get it sprouted--the seed has all the resources it needs for the first few weeks of its life. Once you get that test back you'll know what to add.

Thanks "morpheuspa"

I will get some topsoil and peat moss, and seed the bare areas.

I don't know if digging 2''-3'' deep was a good idea to get stones/concrete out. It was lot of work to dig into hard Indiana Clay. Now I have to break the chunks of soil and mix it with peat moss.

I also want to address the sod area as well. It is very thin. Perhaps I should wait until the soil test reports.

I know I will get weeds this time. But my home faces the sub-division play area and I get the "most looks"

Indianapolislawn

I'm in Fishers and it sounds like you have the same soil as me :) You will really enjoy this forum and learn a lot.

Where are you getting your soil test done?

Are you going to the Lesco off Binford?

Good Luck

Hello vtec

I am at 146th/Hazel Dell.

Last Wednesday, I sent my soil test reports to A&L Great Lakes in Fort Wayne. Hopefully next week I will get test reports.

Yes, I did my shopping at Leso off Binford. They have moved to 96th street now.

How has been your experience with Lesco seed and fertilizers?

I am just trying to get my yard to a level where I can just water/mow/fertilize and overseed every few years. And perhaps plant some evergreen shrubs this year. Nothing fancier than that.

Do you know any good nursery in our area?

Thanks for replying

I think you may have made one mistake. When you seeded in October of last year, it was too cold for the seed to germinate. If you had not applied the pre-m this year, you might have gotten fairly good germination from the seed you put down last year (basically an accidental dormant seeding). Since you put down the pre-m, the crabgrass won't sprout, but neither will the seed you put down last year.

Since that's past, concentrate on getting ready for seeding this fall. Do your best this spring and summer to keep the weeds at bay, then overseed sometime between mid august and mid September (mid September may be pushing it there, and early September may be as late as you want to risk it).

The rule of thumb I've seen on grass seed is that as long as the combined temperature and humidity stays below 100, you won't lose much germination.

indylawn, I must drive by your lawn every day :)

I didn't realize LESCO moved. Where on 96th are they located.

I have had great luck with Lesco products. In the fall I renovated my lawn with their Tri Gold - Turf Type Tall Fescue and it looks great. Also used their starter fert. For other things I just buy generic stuff at Wal Mart. I didn't want to skimp on seed.

I do not know of a good nursery. I go to Allisonville Nursery in Fishers because it is so close but the place is a rip off and the service is horrible. However, I don't blow money on gas because its just down the street from me.

9336 Castlegate Drive
Indianapolis, 46256

317.576.1888