Can I leave dead weeds in the ground and seed the lawn?

Question

I have a smaller area (4' x 10') filled with ground ivy and other weed. Obviously, there's just tiny amount of grass there, if any. I plan to kill it now with a weed killer and spread the grass seed over it in September -Zone 4 (raking the area, using new sod). My question is : I want to avoid renting the machine to remove the area. Can I just put a thin layer of soil over dead weed area and seed it with grass. Would that work?

Answer 1

Yes , as long as the seed is making contact with soil , it will grow . For that small area , I'd hand strip it, with a sod-lifter ( a certain type of edger) & sod it . Just my preference .

http://www.benmeadows.com/store/item/161642/

http://www.eatonbrothers.com/cemetery/Sod_Lifter.JPG

I usually cut parallel lines ,in the whole area , ~ 2' apart. Then go the other direction , 3' apart .You can go smaller (1'?)up to you, whatever's comfortable .Then strip, @ about 2" deep . It comes up fairly neatly & quickly . Don't need to cut with a shovel , as the following did. Makes for a ragged edge, deeper, heavier sod , & a longer job , with all the tool switching . It's a good edger also .Your area would take me ~ 10min. , at most . ( your results may vary ;D)


http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/7a/6a/hmgdLawn_and_GardenHand_ToolsAllRazor_Back_Forged_Sod_Lifter_83101-resized200.jpg

Answer 2

You reference sod and seed. Which way do you plan to plant?
In either case, if you kill the weeds with glyphosate ( common brand name Roundup), you can re-seed as soon as the weeds are brown with no problem. Adding some topsoil to the area is a good idea if you can't break up the existing ground, but depending on how compacted the existing soil is, a thin layer might not be enough. The soil needs to have good tilth to the depth that the root system will reach (varies by grass type) and water,water, water. Probably need to put a small amount of basic fertilizer on as well and send off a soil sample to test for pH. Even a small area needs the proper balance of nutrient to thrive. Good luck!

Answer 3

Get a roto tiller and till down about 6 inches. That small an area won't be that hard. Use a rake to gather up all the weeds, then sod or seed, which ever you choose. But the easiest way to guarantee getting rid of the weeds is to pull them or till them.

Answer 4

Go with the tiller. Uproot all the grass, haul it away. Put in black dirt for the new soil. Seed. And fertilize. Water, Water, Water. Sure some of the old grass will grow back but they make this fertizlizer that has weed killer in it, we use it all the time and have great grass with no weeds. I highly recommend this.

Answer 5

Ah- no. -Odds are you'd end up with a 4 x 10 foot patch of crab-grass, & the biggest "birdfeeder" on your block! You're going to have to rake up all those weeds- & get rid of them. You leave weed roots in the ground- & your grass won't have a CHANCE.! :(

Answer 6

Check on the weedkiller label. Usually you can't plant anything after you've put a killer on or it will kill the seed, too. You have a waiting period of a few months before you can plant. Good luck!