Can Kentucky Bluegrass grow among weeds?

Question

We got a good price on a house whose yard was mostly weeds, such as crabgrass, dandelions, bindweed, foxtails, etc. When we mow it, it looks almost like a real lawn, but the weeds grow back fast.

We don't have the proper equipment to do a new lawn. We're thinking of mowing it very low, doing some dethatching, aerating, etc., and then planting lots of Kentucky Bluegrass seeds. Our theory is that the KBG will eventually grow well enough to choke out the weeds. We plan to keep mowing the weeds low while waiting for the KBG to sprout, and then keep mowing slightly higher than the sprouts, so the weeds will have a hard time outcompeting the KBG.

Part of the problem is a slope where heavy rains would wash the dirt if no weeds held it in place.

Does this plan have a chance in hell to succeed?

Answer 1

Not an expert, but experienced the same problem when I lived KY and in WI ...yes, aerating, dethatching, digging up big clumps of weeds and treating it regularing with chemicals (hired a company for a small fee) and my bluegrass prevailed -- eventually!!

good luck

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

good plan. wheat straw will hold the seed in place. weed & feed will help speed up the process