SnotBubbles;1436808 wrote:Why are there bare spots? Or do you not know? Something as minor as too much shade can cause grass to not grow properly.

The best way to get grass to grow in problem areas is to hydroseed. You probably will have to pay a landscaper to do it. It grows faster and the mixture will keep pests (birds, bugs, etc) from eating the seed.

Your other option is sod (which is more expensive and has not guarantee it will take.

When grass seed and straw doesn't do the trick...you'll have to spend a little more money.

Raw Dawgin' it;1436813 wrote:I haven't tried grass seed and straw. Couple things, I have a small back lawn, maybe 13x13 and there is a huge tree too, so that definitely causes lots of shade. Also, last year I accidentally cut the grass too short and it scorched and never came back the same. So i raked the lawn and bare spots, put the turf builder down about a month ago and still nothing

You think I should go straight grass seed and cover it with straw? I'm not prepared to hire anyone or pay for sod.

SnotBubbles;1436816 wrote:I'm guessing it's the tree. And unless you cut down or trim the tree, you're not going to have much luck with any of the grass planting methods. I had a neighbors tree that was shading part of my yard by our deck. It stayed dirt all year round. Until the ice storm took out most of the tree and caused him to cut it down. The next spring, it was all grass and I hadn't even planted anything. Although I had tried to seed for years. Weeds can grow without direct sunlight, grass requires a good amount.

I'd trim up your tree if possible, then go with grass seed and straw. You'd only drop like $25 for a small area like that.

Raw Dawgin' it;1436817 wrote:The tree is massive and the branches are much too high for me to trim. Is it possible the large roots could be a problem too? My landlord said it would be around $3,000 to remove the tree.

SnotBubbles;1436822 wrote:Quite possible, but I'd lean more towards the shade. Regardless...try seeding it first and putting some straw down. Now is the time, don't wait much longer.

And $3,000 to cut down a tree is asinine. Unless it's a giant redwood, which it's not because they don't grow in Ohio. A mature tree can be cut down for $500. I pay people to do it all the time.

TedSheckler;1436823 wrote:Have you put down any broadleaf killer or crabgrass preventer? If so, that's why it's not growing. We're in May now and it's going to start getting hot. At this point, your best bet is to wait until fall to plant seed. Fall is a better time to put downgrass seed anyway. You don't need straw on top unless you notice birds eating up all your seed.

justincredible;1436815 wrote:Rip it all out and put down sod. That's what we did the summer after we moved in to our house when we couldn't get shit to grow.

Raw Dawgin' it;1436835 wrote:If i owned the place I would've.

justincredible;1436837 wrote:I just saw in your post before mine that you aren't prepared to pay for sod. Honestly, since you're renting, I wouldn't even GAF about it. How long do you plan on staying there?

Raw Dawgin' it;1436826 wrote:I live in Maryland - the tree is probably 100 feet. Maybe 10 feet around. I'll try the seeding and straw then.

SnotBubbles;1436847 wrote:Big tree. I could get it done for $1,000.... Haha.

dlazz;1436867 wrote:Why hasn't anyone mentioned growing marijuana?

Raw Dawgin' it;1436850 wrote:I'll give you $750 pizza and beer, when can you be here?

dlazz;1436867 wrote:Why hasn't anyone mentioned growing marijuana?

Big_Mirg_ZHS;1436809 wrote:Oh wait never mind.

Raw Dawgin' it;1436827 wrote:Yeah - the turf builder has weed/crabgrass preventer and killer. The spots that have grass are awesome. The front is a different story, needs to be completely redone, but since I rent idgaf. I care about the back because I'm partly responsible for why it's in worse shape.

Raw Dawgin' it;1436850 wrote:I'll give you $750 pizza and beer, when can you be here?

TedSheckler;1436884 wrote:Well, the new seed is not growing because of the Turf Builder. You killed all your grass seed with it. You can't put down new seed for about 4 months after the Turf Builder. Wait until fall and try again.