Hi I'm hoping someone can be of some help. My front right corner(6ft sq) is mud. The area has been sinking for years, so this past Fall I decided to build it up with some top soil and seed. This area has a maple tree on one side that takes alot of the water, the road in front and the ashphalt drive on the other. It's East facing..

Well, the seed never took, maybe the birds had a buffet, but all I have is mud. We are now having a mild spell, the snow has melted. I do believe we will be getting way more snow yet, living in Canada spring has never sprung in January!!

I used some sod in the summer to fill in areas that the seed wouldn't take to. It was quick and easy, but the patch was so much greener and thicker than my lawn, whereas the seed matches better.

So, should I put down some seed now, I heard somewhere it was a good idea under the snow? Or should I wait till spring and sod.

We're hoping to sell in the Fall, so I'd like the lawn to look decent.

 

it would help to know what type of turf grass you're using. if you still have a high moisture condition i would try to fix that first. if you have a decent grade to the area you may need to ammend the soil with sand to allow better drainage.

 

By turf grass do you mean the sod or seed? I think the sod is probably Kentucky Blue Grass, and the seed is usually a mixture for sunny yards. As far as moisture goes, it's pretty wet out and expecting more snow on the weekend. So I don't know if the seed will rot?

Drainage isn't really a problem, it's just wet now cause it's winter in Canada, unfortunately I can't control the seasons!! Come April it will start drying out, and that corner is usually okay. If I hadn't tried to build up the level, it would've been fine.

Thanks! Lori

 

personally i thing i would wait till spring when the optimum growing weather arrives. make sure you get good soil to seed contact and keep it moist[not waterlogged] until you get a good stand. if you have dense shade, you may have to raise the tree or thin it out. turf will not grow in dense shade. also, if you could mulch the seeds they will germinate better.
i didnt understand you comment on the sod looking different. if its only a 6x6[36sq. ft.] i would sod it with the same turf as the rest of the yard for immediate coverage.

 

sod would be so much easier, but if you like the way the seeded portions looked then go ahead and seed the trouble spot. rake it lightly and sow the seed. cover with some light straw to retain the seed and moisture and help keep the birds off. do this a couple weeks after any danger of frost and water lightly twice per day. the frequent (light) watering will cause the seed to pop better than long damp periods. once it germinates maintain moisture without drowning the sprouts. fertilize only after the first cut and with a low nitrogen fertilizer. by early summer you should be able to go to a more normal fertilization schedule.

 

Thanks so much!! Now I'm counting the days till spring!!

(What I meant about the sod not matching is, my front lawn is a light green in colour, and not very thick,when I patch with the sod...it's thick and green so it doesn't blend in well)

You've been alot of help, thanks again! Lori

 

remember that sod grown commercially is usually pumped up with fert to help it sell. if it is the same type of turf as the rest of your lawn, it will equalize and blend in with your grass as your normal fertility schedule kicks in.