Is your lawn dying, filled with bare spots of brown patches or it is home to undesired weeds and other plants? Redoing your lawn is the most appropriate thing in this case. If you need to know how to redo lawn, follow these steps for success.
You can redo your lawn by clearing all weeds, grass, and debris first, then dethatching and aerating. After that, choose the sod type or grass seeds for your property, then reseed or install sod. Next, feed your lawn with a slow-release starter fertilizer, and maintain your grass with the correct watering schedule.
When Redoing Your Lawn Makes Sense
No matter what, I doubt if you will be at peace with your lawn if year in and year out, the grass in your lawn looks unhealthy in spite of your efforts to make it look awesome.
To most people, rather than burning the lawn and starting over, they’d rather try Option B – repair the lawn. Granted, repairing a lawn is more cost-effective and time-saving than starting over. However, in most cases, trying to work with the existing turf is impossible.
Because of the inevitable challenges that come with repairing a lawn, which sometimes may need additional support in terms of manpower and expertise, some people opt for redoing lawn in spring. But what is the cost to kill and reseed lawn? This blog will answer that question and the other two -how to completely redo your lawn and how to start lawn over.
A reseeding project allows you to start the lawn with a fresh slate. It is also an excellent way of renovating a property that is patchy, weedy, and damaged beyond repair into a healthy lawn.
How to Completely Redo Your Lawn
Follow these six steps to properly remove your old turf and replant your garden from seed or sod:
1. Clear the yard
Dig out the lawn or kill weeds and other poor-looking plants and grass with a weed killer. Use a non-selective herbicide instead of a selective one to clear everything. After application, wait a few weeks before laying sod or seeds to avoid damaging your new grass. Once all plants die, rake the lawn and remove the debris.
2. Dethatch and aerate
Rake away the debris barrier in your lawn using a dethatcher tool. The process helps your grass obtain vital nutrients for improved growth. After that, aerate the lawn to relieve soil compaction. This enables the turf to grow deeper roots and access enough moisture and fertilizer.
3. Choose the sod type or grass seeds
Select grass seeds or sod type that is right for your region. Consider the growing conditions in your location and how resistant the grass is to foot traffic from dogs and your family.
4. Lay sod or reseed
Prepare your soil by adding the required nutrients, lime, or topsoil. After that, plant your seeds or lay the sod as required.
5. Feed your lawn
Once you lay the grass seeds or sod, it’s time to apply a slow-release starter fertilizer. This gives your new grass seedlings the required nutrients to boost a deeper and stronger root system.
6. Water your new grass
Water your new lawn properly and frequently daily until the grass establishes fully. Maintain your grass by following the required watering, mowing, and fertilizing schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best season to redo your lawn?
A: The best season to start lawn over is late summer and early fall. Although most people think redoing lawn in spring is the perfect period, the prime time is any time from mid-August. This is because the cool temperatures, in combination with the warm soil in this period, boost seed germination.
Q: How much does it cost to kill and reseed lawn?
A: The cost to kill and reseed a lawn is generally between $400 and $1,500. This is the same price as overseeding. The cost depends on factors like grass seeds or sod type, soil quality, lawn size, and location labor rates.
Conclusion
If your yard is patchy, weedy, or dry, or your turf is in poor shape, kill the lawn and start over. Establishing a healthy new lawn is usually better than working with the existing grass.
If you need to learn how to start lawn over, clear the yard first, then dethatch and aerate. Next, choose the grass seeds or sod type for your yard and plant. Feed your new lawn with the right fertilizer and water the grass consistently until it establishes fully.
