About C. J. Brown Expertise I can answer questions on cool and warm season grasses, soil problems, irrigation, insect,
grub, weed and crabgrass control. I can also help with cultural practices such as mowing,
aeration, dethatching, and leaf management.
Experience Co-Founder and owner of Teed & Brown, Inc. www.teedandbrown.com.
Lawn Care Columnist as "The Lawn Coach" www.thelawncoach.com
Organizations PLANET
Publications Danbury News Times "HomeStyle" Magazine
Tinytown Gazette, MA
The Picket News, MD
Manchester Press, IA
Macomb Observer, MI
Metro Observer, MI
Bottom Line Personal
www.TheLawnCoach.com
Education/Credentials Penn State University - B.S. in Turfgrass Science
Question I have a rather large area that is going to be leveled (some fill) and prepped
for a lawn for wedding receptions, social gatherings, etc. We are starting the
work on July 1. Filled, graded, seeded and rolled. The person (a contractor of
sorts) tells me that with the right seed and fertilizer the site should be good
to go by Aug 15 .. . my next event. I'd like a second opinion because this is
my business .. .not just a patch of lawn out back. I'm concerned about the
time frame and how to best set this up for the optimal results. With the short
time frame I'm going with solid cool season grasses and watering. I'm afraid
warm season grasses won't have time to mature and toughen up enough to
be used on a site like this with lots of foot traffic. Comments, suggestions,
thoughts .. . . . very welcome. Thanks.
Answer Well, unfortunately you didn't tell me where you live, so that makes it difficult. That said, you embarking on a seeding job at the worst possible time. Grass seed just does not do well in the summer heat, and you are getting started right in the middle of it all.
If this contractor has extensive background managing high value turfgrass (sports fields, golf courses, etc) then let him do whatever he needs to do. If not, I'd recommend sod. Otherwise, there are way too many potential problems with the new seed unless it is watched like a hawk by a real turfgrass expert with an arsenal of chemicals and fertilizers at his disposal.
The sod will need some babying too, but it will get you 10 times closer and with more certainty than will seed at this stage.
Good luck Mary. Sorry for the late response. I'd been on vacation and forgot to block new questions.
