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How to prepare weed infested turf for overseeding

11 years ago

I have a tall fescue lawn in the southeast US that is generally in good shape, but there are patches that have been completely overtaken by crabgrass and a couple other weeds... particularly on my road verge, that strip of grass between the street and the sidewalk.

I'm now a week or two away from over-seeding and I was need some advice on how to handle these large patches with little-to-no desirable grass growth. If I do nothing, it seems unlikely that the new seed will germinate.

If I apply herbicide it will poison the ground for the new seed.
If I just till the land it will push the weed seed deep into the soil for next year.
I'm not sure if I have enough time to pull it all by hand.

Expert opinion appreciated please.

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
"If I apply herbicide it will poison the ground for the new seed."

No, it won't. There are topical lawn weed herbicides that will just kill off the undesirable vegetation but leave the lawn untouched as well as have no long term residual effects that might impair seed germination. One such product is Bayer All in One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer. You may need a second application for complete control and there could be a short "rest" period before direct seeding is recommended (check label for details) but it is perfectly safe to use before seeding or overseeding a lawn and will not hamper seed germination.
Ben Smith thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Ben Smith
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks. I am looking at just flogging it with glyphosate and then waiting a week. I don't have much more time than that for multiple applications.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Glyphosate is overkill for this purpose. And glyphosate often requires a second application as well. Just go with a lawn weed killer that includes crabgrass control.

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