Need help determining grass type.

[toddmd2]

Yesterday I had to have an excavator dig up about a third of my front yard to replace a sewer line. Needless to say, my yard is going to be a dirty, muddy mess until the dirt settles an I can re-plant my grass.

When I bought the house 6 months ago one of the things I loved was the lush, thick grass in the front yard. Its a very thick, dense turf. One problem though. Come winter time it looked as if my entire (well not entire, but the vast majority) lawn died. The grass turned yellow and was very unpleasant to look at (when I'd tell people how to find the house I'd tell them its the yellow house with the even yellower grass). Now that the weather is changing I'm seeing that some of the green is coming back little by little.

My yard is the only one in the neighborhood that does this which led me to believe that the grass just died and I'd need to re-seed the entire front yard. But after talking with some people I was told that there are certain kinds of grass that behave this way. By no means were these people lawn care professionals so I decided to look for a more professional answer, which led me here.

So I ask you good folk, do any of you know if certain kinds of grass behaves this way? If so, what kind or kinds could it be so I know which seed to buy to re-plant? When should I re-plant it (considering that the yard is a mess right now)?

Thanks in advance.

[trees]

Todd-

A picture or two would be helpful in IDing the turf type. There are several warm-season grasses that go dormant in the winter. They are most common in the South, where I currently live. I grew up in Lake Co. Ohio (East of Cleveland) and know that the dominant turf there is Fescue, which is a cool season grass and stays green in the winter. I'd suggest you go that route. The grass you have is probably Zoysia, being the most cold tolerant of the warm-season types. With the winter being so long where you are, I'd probably opt for seeding the whole lawn in turf-type fescue.

That's my 2 cents...

[toddmd2]

Originally posted by trees
I'd probably opt for seeding the whole lawn in turf-type fescue.

What type of turf is that? Is it thick? I really like the thickness of what I have in there now. Another thing, re-seeding the entire front lawn will involve what? Will I need to rip up what's there now or is there another way to go about it.

Sorry about the mundane questions, but I'm more used to working with PCs, not seeds.:D

[Stonehenge]

Moved to the homeowner forum.

Unfortunately for us, wee have a lot in common toddmd2 - an SBC subcontractor severed our sewer line about 2 weeks ago, and we have to have a similar procedure in our yard. Thankfully, our home is new enough (and I'm busy enough) they we didn't have a lawn in, so there really isn't much to repair.

As for your situation; your lawn could have been seeded with 100% Kentucky Bluegrasses, or your lawn may have been sodded with 100% Bluegrasses. In my area, the sodded lawns (which are 100% BG) are the first to brown out in fall, and the last to green up in spring; I doubt yours is dead, it just needs more time and warmer weather (didn't Ohio just get hit with a huge snowstorm?).

Re: reapir - I'd wait for a few months to allow the soil to settle - you probably have 12' of uncompacted fill, and if a piece of heavy machinery drive on it, it compact and crush the repaired sewer line.

As for the seed, either use 100% Ky BG, or use a mix, and overseed the rest of your lawn with that same mix. Though you should contact a local professional to get the best advice for your particular area, and the right seed selection.

[toddmd2]

Great info Stone! I'll look into your suggestions. The contractor told me it would take a few weeks for the fill to settle. It sounded like he was low balling the time, but then again what do I know (the answer to that is not much)? Even with all the rain we had yesterday it still looks like it hasn't gotten any better so now its just a matter of waiting I guess.

Would you suggest hiring someone to come in and re-seed or is it a pretty cut and dried process?

[Stonehenge]

Depends on the size of the area. Though you'll want to wait to allow the soil to settle as I mentioned before, when the time comes to grade you will want something heavy enough to help settle things a bit more (you may find that area will continue to settle over the next year or so, depending on soil type).

Without anything heavy like a tractor to help settle the soil, it will be more likely to need topdressing and overseeding over time, as the area continues to settle out.

Without knowing the size and scope of the project, it's hard to say whether you should hire out or not. If you can get someone reputable to come out to your home, you should consider them. For our business, I would likely not be interested in the project, unless it included a brick paver patio in back. ;)

[GLAN]

Sounds to me.......you have Zoysia........When you looked at the home and purchased it....it was Summer or ending of summer. The grass was thick, green and beautiful............

What you describe is exactly the characteristics of Zoyzia.

Wait for it to settle.......Wait a month before doing anything.......Though I would purchase "Roundup" ready to spray and kill any weeds that feel fit to grow.....till you are ready to seed.

Now keep in mind.........Zoysia spreads through it's root system and. What ever you seed........use a perennial Rye.......it is less expensive and you only doing so until the Zoysia spreads and replaces what you seeded.........Oh and Zoysia will in a few years replace what you seeded.

Zoysia is extremely difficult to get rid of...........If you chose that option seek a professional in your area that has done it before.

As for seeding yourself.......or hiring.........The typical sewer connections and such in my area are not that big a deal. You maybe able to tackle it. Though most here that are do it yourselfers call on Landscape Companies to deal with it. Then the homeowner takes over.

[Lanelle]

I agree that it sounds like you have Zoysia. Neither Bluegrass nor Improved Tall Fescue will be as thick and tight as Zoysia but they will stay green longer during the winter. Another difference is the correct mowing height. Zoysia should be cut lower (2") while the Fescue benefits from being left longer (3.5"). If you want to fill the bare area with Zoysia, you could take 'plugs' from your lawn and plant them in the bare spots. Then overseed with the rye as suggested. The plugs could be 2-3" in diameter and can be cut using a bulb planter.

[HardDaysKnight]

I agree with with the perennial rye seed.
You can build a great lawn later but rye will
will be the best solution. Try a water-filled roller
that you pull. You can get one at your local rental.
Until you really bring in the big toys it will be a
struggle.

[cutntrim]

My grandparents lived in Parma Heights and a house around the block from them had YELLOW grass too. I would agree with the others that it is likely Zoysia, and that a local turf pro can tell you for sure.

[toddmd2]

I guess I should have been a little clearer on the area that needs covering. The area that was dug up will be replaced mostly by a flower bed and a brick walk. The remaining area will be covered with grass. I'd say its approximately an area maybe 10' wide and 20' long, not a huge area.

[toddmd2]

Originally posted by GLAN
Now keep in mind.........Zoysia spreads through it's root system and. What ever you seed........use a perennial Rye.......it is less expensive and you only doing so until the Zoysia spreads and replaces what you seeded.........Oh and Zoysia will in a few years replace what you seeded.

I'm not sure what you're telling me here. Are you saying to just seed with a perennial Rye (is that a specific seed or is that a family of seeds? If I were to go to buy seeds and asked for a perennial rye would they then ask me what type of perennial rye I wanted?) and then eventually the Zoysia will spread itself and I won't need to buy Zoysia seed?

[Lanelle]

Zoysia is not planted by seed. It is planted by taking small sections of existing grass (plugs) and putting them in a spaced pattern in the area to be filled so that it will spread across the area, filling in between each plug. This will be faster than waiting for the edge areas to spread so far.

[GLAN]

Originally posted by Lanelle
Zoysia is not planted by seed. It is planted by taking small sections of existing grass (plugs) and putting them in a spaced pattern in the area to be filled so that it will spread across the area, filling in between each plug. This will be faster than waiting for the edge areas to spread so far.


Exactly ^


As for the seed......all you need to do is ask for Perennial Rye....It should contain a blend of at least 3 varieties of Perennial Rye.....some of the varities may have "Endophite" It's not that much more $ but you realy won't need it.......What the Endophite does is......it suppresses surface feeding insects.....

What will happen in a few years time is the Zoysia will spread and over take your seeding anyway. Quicker if you go through the trouble of plugging as suggested above.

Happy Trails..........:flowers:

[toddmd2]

So could I buy these plugs or could I cut a plug from my existing lawn and use that? When you say plug, how big of an area will one plug cover? Are they smallish (12"X12") or larger (say 36"X36")?

[toddmd2]

Well I found this:

http://www.zoysias.com/

They sell the zoysia plugs. I believe they were sold as 36 plugs @ 3x3 (the site didn't list the measurements but I'm guessing the 3x3 is in inches?) for around $12. Is this a good price for this stuff? Would 36 3x3 plugs be enough to eventually cover roughly 200 square feet when its filled out?

Also, they have several different Zoysia types: Meyer, El Toro, Emerald and Empire. Would it make a difference which one I bought? Will you be able to tell the difference if I don't match up the exact breed?

Also, the site suggests plugs rather than seed for covering an area that already has turf. Since I'm going to be attempting to grow grass in dirt is it ok if I just seed it with the Zoysia seeds rather than the Perennial Rye followed by the Zoysia plugs?

[GLAN]

Never heard of Zoysia seed.


Instead of buying plugs.....why not just take plugs out of your existing lawn as was suggested in a previous post.

Do you know for sure what exactly the type of Zoysia you have?



I can't possibly think of anything else regarding this subject.

[Lanelle]

The plugs could be 2-3" in diameter and can be cut using a bulb planter.
Its best to cut them from your lawn so that they match.

[toddmd2]

How many plugs would I need to cover roughly 200 square feet?

[rivergirl]

Unless the zoysia world has changed greatly in the last decade, the plugs are just a couple of inches across. Roughly 3 inches by 5 inches. About the size of what a homeowners bulb planter would be. I believe only bluegrass sod comes in the bigger pieces you mentioned. We had a heavy duty tool you stepped on and it cut a plug of zoysia out of our "zoysia field" which you pushed out of the tube into some kind of container. You could do this out of your existing lawn that still has portions of nice thick zoysia (and I believe you have zoysia) Basically, you just have to get enough root for it to take where you plant the plug. Consult some professionals about zoysia care. It requires regular dethatching to maintain that thick look. It can grow into your neighbors yard and if they have a cool season grass they will frown at your yard every morning as they sip their coffee. I also recommend turf type fescue but it would take at least three roundup sprayings to kill the zoysia and what a hassle. That's why they plug it. It will fill in fast. Extension agents or the pro's in your area should be able to help you with the schedule of maintenance/ fertilization of zoysia (warm season ) as it differs from fescue or bluegrass.

[rivergirl]

Plant plugs one foot apart or six inches if you want it to fill in one season. Mar 1 to sept 15 is the most favorable time span. Keep those plugs moist for the first two or three weeks. I would use your existing zoysia as mentioned previously. A good apllication of 12-12-12 or simiilar fert worked into the top 6-8 inches of the soil would be good to get the plugs going. Do this prior to plugging. Usually 20-30 pounds of fert per 1,000 sq ft. Then remember you need to fertilize every four weeks or so during the active growing season which is warm weather or summertime.

Of course, by now you probably got it plugged.

[toddmd2]

Originally posted by rivergirl
Of course, by now you probably got it plugged.

I wish it was plugged. Still just a dirty front yard as of now.

[rivergirl]

Okay, get ready for some exercise. go to this site and search for a zoysia plugger. Once you obtain the zoysia plugger you only need to plug out 200 of them babies and grid them out in your 'just a dirty front yard'. Now's the time.

[rivergirl]

Sorry, forgot the site. Seedland.com