Here’s the latest on my efforts to drastically improve my lawn in the front and back yard. If you are enjoying your favorite beverage on your wood deck it’s always nice to see a healthy groomed lawn. Nothing worse than looking at bald spots, weeds and moss. Which was pretty close to my lawn and why I decided to get it looking great this year!
12 days ago I replanted an area in the back yard where we used to have the kids fort and an area in the front where we removed a tree a few years ago and replanted…see post on March 12, 2007. The grass is starting to come in, in the front yard but still no new grass popping up in the back yard. Just a matter of time, I guess.
The front yard gets a lot more sunlight, so I’m guessing that’s why it’s ahead of the backyard. I did use a different grass seed in the front and back yard and that might have made a difference. They were from the same supplier: back yard using a shade mix and the front yard using a sun mix.
I put down a moss killer a week ago and the lawn is looking pretty black with the dead moss. Which doesn’t look good right now but it will soon. I could leave the moss where it is and it will break down with time, but I think it is better to remove it. This will allow the new grass to grow in and the lawn will look better once it is gone.
Here’s a picture of the seeded “fort” area (on the left) and the moss kill area (on the right).
I could rake it out or thatch the moss. And I’ve decided thatching is the way to go. The backyard is pretty big and raking will take a long time. Also, I feel that thatching will do a better job.
Instead of renting a thatching machine I purchased a de-thatcher for my lawn mower a few years ago. I just remove the existing blade and attach the special de-thatching blade. This will be a good time to sharpen the blade since it’s off of the lawn mower. If you are removing your blade make sure you remember which direction the blade goes on. Also, make sure you tighten the de-thathcer or normal blade on properly.
I’ve used the de-thatcher blade a few times in the past and it’s great. I’m sure a proper de-thatcher machine does a better job, but I’ve been happy with this tool. Today, I will be de-thathcing and I will post pictures of my results later today or tomorrow.