This is probably the most comprehensive video I've made on one topic so I hope you found the info you needed. Time stamps, links, and much more all in the description so be sure to check that out! www.ryanknorrlawncare.com
What are your thoughts on removing the old lawn? Rather than core aeration, I think I have to rototill because I have widespread shrub and tree roots invading my turf area.
leftheaded wow I have the same I have a horrible tree that grows roots and forms more tress. I have ripped a lot up but Ima just jay down more dirt and hope for the best when I start the Reno. I'm facing like 20 basketball size holes in my yard now, I'm wondering if i should fill it with rocks first. Dirt just makes a big wet sludge aft rain. Things I'd do for level lawns lol. Mine is on a angle 😫
I nuked my old lawn that was mostly weeds. I just used a power raked everything out of it so it's only dirt. my question is.. is there something I can add to soil when I level it to improve it? any help would be appreciated. I live in North Idaho if that makes a difference.
@@leftheaded ideally, you'd kill the existing grass and then rototill to ensure that nothing comes back through. If you're okay with the grass you had growing, then killing off might not be necessary. Your renovation will just be a mix of your new seed and potentially old grass
Ryan, we just got our concrete pool filled in and I'm taking these steps to bring in all grass. Just completed the front yard reconstruction and on to the watering stage of that section. Shout out from Southern Twin Cities area. Thank you for these guides!
After you scalp the lawn, maybe power rake, if you want to kill off any grass or weeds that may still be present will glyphosate inhibit the growth of the seed you will sow? Whether a blanket or spot spraying application? Thinking about renovating my yard later in the summer closer to fall. Thanks Ryan!
been watching some of these videos looking for tips on how to redo my entire lawn and after seeing how much work is involved I have decided to just do zero scape so I never have to lift a finger again.
I think I might’ve missed something. You first put down grass killer. How long did you have to wait after you put that down before you started mowing and putting in dirt and leveling your area and putting down seed?
what about if you are sodding? also, what about the realignment of your existing irrigation system, to make certain that sprinkler heads are in the right coverage zones, are of the "correct" head type, are aligned, etc?
Definitely the best and most detailed lawn renovation video out there! So thankful you made it so simple and clear. I’m currently renovating my jungle of a lawn that has so many different types of grass/crabgrass and every weed you can think of... I’m in the process of killing everything off but some clusters of thick finger grass still lingers. Do you ever suggest using a tiller to get rid of these types of grasses? Or possibly using the tiller to help level a small lawn?
You can use a tiller. The issue typically means it might bring even more weed seeds to the surface as well as settling more after tilling since the ground will be softer.
INCREDIBLE videos man. Long time watcher here. Always clear and concise. Thank you for your knowledge 👍😁 I need to tackle my back yard, but have a few other projects (finding a way to keep a female dog off the lawn) to get done first.
For the fertilizer should you always use a starter fertilizer? I did a soil test and I have high phosphorus but low nitrogen and potassium. Should I use a fertilizer without phosphorus for a new seeding or use a starter?
Seeking advise. I’ve seen all you videos and they are super informative. I recently had major work to back yard. The bob cat damaged my front lawn so decided to stop watering to start fresh. I’m stuck between aeration or using tiller to remove old grass since half was sunk in by bobcat an is all dirt now. If I can send pics to give better illustration let me know. Btw I live in Southern California and also wondering what seed is best for the climate. Well thanks for all the information.
What does it mean to be in the ‘Transition Zone’? I noticed there isn’t a guide for that so does that mean we can either the cool or warm season guide? Thanks in advance and great video!
Transition is an area where you may have warm season grasses or you may have cool season grasses. Neither option is preferred because it tends to be too hot for cool season and too cold for warm season during a certain part of the year but it's not impossible by any means.
Ryan I am new to your channel but had to give you a shout out. Your videos are fantastic and easy to understand. The best part of your work for me is that the content is “actionable” meaning that it’s easy to comprehend and then apply. Your relaxed personality and respect for all methods brings credibility to your preferred tools and products.
The entire south side of my yard has tree roots basically at the surface and is heavily shaded. I obviously need to add top soil, but how much? And would it be beneficial when I do a restoration that I mix seed in with the top soil before adding it and spreading it?
The heavily shaded part is going to continue to be an issue. You might consider some kind of landscaping for long term success or try to get more sunlight to that area.
Quick question, I already applied the grass killer, now I'm just waiting for it to die completely, in your video noticed you guys are spreading top soil on top of dead grass, it is ok for me to do this as well, I was recommended to detach or remove as much dead grass as I can... Does it really matter? Please advise!
The soil is for leveling and smoothing out the ground. If you don't need that then you can seed into what's left after removing a bunch of the dead grass
If i chemically kill off everything in my backyard, i'm worried it will travel down grade through my french drain and kill my front lawn too. What are your thoughts about that?
Hi - i have quite a large turf area, different sections around my house, though totals 17sqf of cool season turf types (complete mix). I going to overseed this fall, was thinking of using a slice seeder, i will still scalp and core my lawn, though heard germination can be far more successful given the soil to seed contact is almost guaranteed. Can you let me know your thoughts?
Awesome step by step, i's helping me out a ton in doing my lawn renovation here in College Station, TX. This year I can't find any of the Scott's Starter and Weed Preventer, does anyone know of a good alternative? Or if it's even good to use on Bermuda? I recognize that Ryan deals primarily with northern lawns
What do you do about leaves on new grass? I already have leaves coming down and haven’t even put down seed yet. My yard is too big to use a blower without walking on it...
How do you prevent squirrels and raccoons from digging in your lawn during the seeding process? I've been at this since August and there's always spots with no grass because these things are ripping out sections at a time before the grass can fully root in or just plain digging and eating the seeds. It's disheartening to see all your hard work vanish the next morning with all these holes in your yard.
Hey Ryan, after spreading peat moss by hand last night I deiced I will be purchasing one of those rollers haha. I know you said you used around 7-10 bags for this 4000sf area. I was wondering if you were doing just a overseeding/topdressing in an area that wasn't a complete renovation, do you feel like that would take less? It's not like that roller has adjustable settings other then walking speed, lol. If so do you have any experience/idea of what the rate would be over an area like that?
Ryan I'd like your take on an issue with my renovation. I had to use a skid loader to smooth out and grade my front yard after removing 2 very large stumps. I've since spread and leveled my topsoil, but I'm afraid the layer underneath is way too compacted from the skid loader. I plan on using a core aerator at the very least, but do you know of any liquid aeration options that can be used near or at the time of seeding? I'm in central Iowa as well, so my seeding window is fast approaching if not already here.
I’m into the 2nd week of killing my lawn. How do you limit new weeds bringing in the screened top soil? Should I try to use as much of my existing soil and till it with some heated compost? Would tilling negate the need for aerating? Does Tenacity slightly slow germination? Would you like to take a trip to Long Island NY around Labor Day and help me? :) we’ll put you up and make sure you get some time in the city. :)
Tenacity is used to limit the weeds from new soil. It won't be perfect but I'm more worried about growing grass and fixing a small amount of weeds later. Just follow these steps
Ryan Knorr Lawn Care Thanks. Others are suggesting I need to let the top soil fallow for a couple weeks before seeding. I didn’t see any step for this. Are you just skipping and dealing with the weeds from the top soil later? The Meso/Tenacity must also help with this. Btw your videos are great, excellent production quality and I’ve learned a lot.
@@jbuchananator Yes I would fallow if you can but you need weeks to get that done and this video was about more of the steps after that process. Tenacity and weed control later on for whatever comes up in the soil.
So ... how do you go about killing off all the grass? Every renovation video I've watched says 'kill the grass' but none of them give any recommendations on how to do that.
looking for the answer to this as well as I'm killing off an entire section of lawn and was wondering if the dead grass and weeds would cover the seeds since I don't have access to straw and peat moss of that quantity
If you want only the new grass that you seed then you have to get rid of the old. The scalp does not do and it will just be mixing the new with the old at that point
I just finished doing this job today and all I have to say is; if someone invents a way to cut this job in half without sacrificing results, they'd be billionaires. Took me 7 hours by myself and my body is begging for mercy. OUCH OUCH! Great video btw, Ryan
So Ryan this week I saw someone using your DIY sprinkler system in my neighborhood. Then I saw some pink flamingos, then I noticed the lawn was cut every other day. I knew what this could only mean. super cool to meet another Lawn Care Enthusiast in my neighborhood.
Ryan Knorr is “THE” most hard working lawn care specialist in UA-cam I have seen without any unnecessary antics. He needs more subscribers. Elegant presentation as always.
Great video man! I just completed renovation myself this weekend. I followed the exact same steps, except that I didn't kill any of the existing grass. I used 50/50 mix topsoil and compost for leveling. Used combination of blankets and peat moss for seed coverage. Made a make shift sprinkler system (similar to yours) that cover every sq inch of my lawn. Now I am just watering three times a day and waiting to put down some more tenacity if I see any weeds pop up. You are an inspiration, keep up the great work!
Coulda rented a sod cutter and saved the chemical application, waiting, mowing, de-thatching, and several man hours but- more power to ya if you think more work and time is less work and faster
Hey Ryan! Does this same method apply to lawns that are 99% weeds? I live in a rental house where the last tenant let the yard go to hell and now its basically a dandelion and crab grass field.
Hi Ryan, I been following all your tips on my lawn renovation, I just have a question for you, I have KBG on my lawn it seems to struggle a lot to get established, is that good a idea to mix perennial rye grass seed? I live in MI thank you for your vids👍
The deep pits allow water to seep down, which means roots will go deeper for more strength and health. Putting a bit of soil and things over the top won’t stop water from penetrating down the still mostly empty shafts.
Hey Ryan, on the leveling could I use a soil sand mix? Something like 80/20? The reason I ask is that I’ve heard top soil settles after a while (obviously) and I have a fairly bumpy lawn. I just want to smooth it a little this year and then a little bit more next season and so on...
I just bought your leveling tool on your website, and I’m going to buy the compost spreader too. (Hope it arrives soon otherwise my back is going to hate me :) I procrastinated. Swardman Electra will be here in March! CANNOT WAIT! I killed my lawn two weeks ago and it’s finally there and ready to be worked on. Problem is now the leaves are falling all over my lawn! Busting out the Sun Joe tomorrow. Going to be 80. Should I stop and do the renovation in the spring? I’m kind of worried about the temperature now here in Minnesota. Do you think my “sissy-grass” will survive if I seed next weekend? Would love to know your thoughts! You’re the best, really appreciate the content!
Thank you for your videos. I always like your videos are detailed and easy. I live in New Jersey and bought a new house. I would like to redo the whole lawn front back. I have a lot of patches nearly no grass. What is the grass you recommend and where I can buy a quantity because it’s about 2 to 3000 ft.².
Compost probably has some level of weed seeds. Would peat moss have less or none? Do you recommend the wood fiber blanket over top of the light peat moss layer?
Hi Ryan, I always see in your projects you typically kill and then seed. I was thinking of sod cutting, adding about 1-2 inches of good top soil (I have pretty heavy clay soil, Denver, Colorado) then seeding or replacing with sod. Anyway, couldn't find a video on your channel that talks about removing sod, cons and pros vs. killing sod and the reseeding. Could you give your insights in this area? I have seen some on sod vs. seed. Seems to come down to cost vs. immediate return, or do find the most sod companies have lame grass on to many varieties mixed in, hence, better satisfaction with seed? Appreciate your thoughts. -Wesley
I've been following your channel since November 2019 when we bought our house in Central Illinois and I gotta say, you have really opened my eyes to lawn care. I check out UA-cam tutorials like anyone else and I always seem to revert back to your videos. Very thorough, informative and you don't ram sponsored products down my throat when I'm just trying to learn from someone else's mistakes. I recently pulled the trigger on a DIY in ground sprinkler system to help with watering for my fall tall fescue overseed (so my wife doesn't have to water while I'm at work) and based most of it off of advice and insight I've gathered from your tutorials and videos. I never imagined I would be so into lawn care, let alone taking on such a huge project by myself but it really came together. I appreciate all of the information and insight and always look forward to learning from your renovations. Thanks for taking the time to make all of these videos and no matter what the wife says, its worth it!
I have 3 issues for my lawn; 1) WEEDS! Puncture vine, wild geranium, dandelion, and even thistle. Gross! 2) Pine tree and Cherry tree in the front yard. The pine has big, shallow roots, and the cherry tree puts out new shoots all over my yard. 3) tons of BIRDS. They eat the seeds, plus bring in weed seeds. Pleeeeeeeeease help!
Hey Ryan, I was wondering if there's such a thing as dormant fertilization? Just like during the winter months where people can dormant seed, can people toss on any fertilizer and let it settle over the winter and let the snowfall work its way into the soil? Thanks
As aspiring lawn nut I was wondering how you deal with neighbors yard's that may not be taken care of as well as yours? Do you have problems with weeds or seed contamination from them blowing their clippings into your yard.
Couldn't you just till up the area after you kill the lawn? Skip the scalping, dethatching, and aeration steps altogether? Thinking of doing my entire roughly 27,550 sqft of grass. Just kill the lawn... go to Sunbelt rentals and rent a Toro Dingo with sunbelt's "soil cultivator".... AKA a rotadairon. A rotadairon is essentially a reverse rototiller, rake, stone/debris burier, leveler, and earth moving tool all in one. If no one knows what I'm talking about just UA-cam "Toro dingo/soil cultivator" and you should see a video with Toro equipment showing the process. Leaves a sexy looking seed bed when finished. Now just picture the dingo and "soil cultivator" painted green... from Sunbelt rentals.... because they paint everything green. But you WILL be renting a Toro dingo and rotadairon. They just call it different names for.... reasons I guess. In the product description they call out the Toro Dingo model and number. So.... Step 1. Kill lawn Step 2. Rent Toro Dingo and Rotadairon/"soil cultivator" (prices may vary but the sunbelt website for my area says a dingo will run you $350/day or $1,295/week and the cultivator $125/day or $380/ week. How trustworthy those numbers are I don't know. I haven't gone to my local sunbelt rental place. Bottom line.... even with my 1/2+ acre of lawn (just shy of a full acre lot) .... I can't imagine it taking me much more than a day to till everything up... 2 tops. So.... about $950 to go from dead lawn to a BEAUTIFULLY tilled, leveled/ flattened/smoothed... however you want to say it, and prepped lawn immediately ready for seed.... seems the route to go IMO. Step 3. Lightly roll lawn Step 4...... plant new grass Step 5. Water.... and wait.... and pray, haha.
How much N/1k sq ft is supposed to go into a lawn renovation going into the fall/winter? I renovated with GCI TTTF in NE NC. Seed was down September 12, germination happened in 6 days. I wanna make sure I get enough P and K down without going overboard on the N.
Might be a dumb question, but if one wanted to completely start over and reno their lawn why not just kill everything, scalp the shit out of the dead grass/weeds, then rototill your entire lawn and rake until smooth or "level" (people misuse that term IMO), then let it settle over summer, reassess smoothness at end of summer and touch up what needs to be touched up. Then aerate, seed, and water, water, water. By end of fall you should have a fairly lush yard that's as smooth as a baby's ass. Albeit with maybe some weeds but you could just tackle those early next spring with some preemergent and staying on top of it year round from there on out. I ask mainly because I'm about to buy a house on 3/4 acre. About 27-28,000 sqft is lawn. If memory serves the lawn was pretty pathetic (house was built in 2016.... by an old couple in their 80s.... so on top of it suffering "new house" yard quality it's not like a couple in their 80s was keeping up meticulously with their lawn) when I did my initial walkthrough. That was toward the end of April though. I'm going to do my final wall walkthrough here in about 5 days. Will be paying much more attention to the yard this time around to access the damage so to speak. I ask because all these lawn "leveling" videos on UA-cam I see say it'll take several seasons to get that golf course smoothness. Why not just go full bore on a reno as mentioned above?
I’m 9 days into my first renovation (killed 4000 sqft of TTTF) to start over with a new variety of fescue. So far not so good. I have quite a few areas that have only puddled with water. I didn’t add any topsoil because when I scalped the old fescue, the exposed dirt looked ok. The good news is the new fescue is coming in, so I should have some time to re-seed the areas that did not germinate in the beginning. I’m open to any advice. Thx !
Hey Ryan. I am in north Texas. Can I grow St. Augustine grass from seed? Is there such a thing? If not can this be done with zoysia ? Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
This is probably the most comprehensive video I've made on one topic so I hope you found the info you needed. Time stamps, links, and much more all in the description so be sure to check that out!
www.ryanknorrlawncare.com
What are your thoughts on removing the old lawn? Rather than core aeration, I think I have to rototill because I have widespread shrub and tree roots invading my turf area.
leftheaded wow I have the same I have a horrible tree that grows roots and forms more tress. I have ripped a lot up but Ima just jay down more dirt and hope for the best when I start the Reno.
I'm facing like 20 basketball size holes in my yard now, I'm wondering if i should fill it with rocks first. Dirt just makes a big wet sludge aft rain.
Things I'd do for level lawns lol. Mine is on a angle 😫
I nuked my old lawn that was mostly weeds. I just used a power raked everything out of it so it's only dirt. my question is.. is there something I can add to soil when I level it to improve it? any help would be appreciated. I live in North Idaho if that makes a difference.
Great video. I’m doing a renovation on my lawn starting in September. Ryan, what would you suggest for a inexpensive manual reel mower?
@@leftheaded ideally, you'd kill the existing grass and then rototill to ensure that nothing comes back through. If you're okay with the grass you had growing, then killing off might not be necessary. Your renovation will just be a mix of your new seed and potentially old grass
Ryan, we just got our concrete pool filled in and I'm taking these steps to bring in all grass. Just completed the front yard reconstruction and on to the watering stage of that section. Shout out from Southern Twin Cities area. Thank you for these guides!
After you scalp the lawn, maybe power rake, if you want to kill off any grass or weeds that may still be present will glyphosate inhibit the growth of the seed you will sow? Whether a blanket or spot spraying application? Thinking about renovating my yard later in the summer closer to fall. Thanks Ryan!
been watching some of these videos looking for tips on how to redo my entire lawn and after seeing how much work is involved I have decided to just do zero scape so I never have to lift a finger again.
Very informative and comprehensive video! Thanks for putting in the time putting this together!
Killed the front lawn, tilled it (it was what I had) and seeded in WV Sunday. We got 5 inches of rain in 4 days. Gotta love it 😂
Never fails
Thanks mr. Knorr I really appreciate this video
What do you recommend using to kill the grass? Are you just using Round up?
Check out my renovation playlists...step 1 in that will give you more info
Appreciate.. in NJ and working every step of your videos...
I think I might’ve missed something. You first put down grass killer. How long did you have to wait after you put that down before you started mowing and putting in dirt and leveling your area and putting down seed?
what about if you are sodding? also, what about the realignment of your existing irrigation system, to make certain that sprinkler heads are in the right coverage zones, are of the "correct" head type, are aligned, etc?
Definitely the best and most detailed lawn renovation video out there! So thankful you made it so simple and clear.
I’m currently renovating my jungle of a lawn that has so many different types of grass/crabgrass and every weed you can think of... I’m in the process of killing everything off but some clusters of thick finger grass still lingers. Do you ever suggest using a tiller to get rid of these types of grasses? Or possibly using the tiller to help level a small lawn?
You can use a tiller. The issue typically means it might bring even more weed seeds to the surface as well as settling more after tilling since the ground will be softer.
Incredibly helpful
Your neighbor is lucky to have you as a neighbor lol
So blessed
INCREDIBLE videos man. Long time watcher here. Always clear and concise. Thank you for your knowledge 👍😁 I need to tackle my back yard, but have a few other projects (finding a way to keep a female dog off the lawn) to get done first.
Absolutely impressed!...
For the fertilizer should you always use a starter fertilizer? I did a soil test and I have high phosphorus but low nitrogen and potassium. Should I use a fertilizer without phosphorus for a new seeding or use a starter?
I've done it both ways and didn't notice any drastic differences
How much would you say this would cost if a lawn care company wants to do this type of work for you and it looks fantastic
Did you use a herbicide to kill off the existing lawn and weeds prior to rebuilding this lawn?
Do you always put down pre seed fertilizer at time of seeding or have you ever waited a couple of weeks and put it down then?
I always put it down at time of seeding so it can be used when that seed is germinating
Seeking advise. I’ve seen all you videos and they are super informative. I recently had major work to back yard. The bob cat damaged my front lawn so decided to stop watering to start fresh. I’m stuck between aeration or using tiller to remove old grass since half was sunk in by bobcat an is all dirt now. If I can send pics to give better illustration let me know. Btw I live in Southern California and also wondering what seed is best for the climate. Well thanks for all the information.
What does it mean to be in the ‘Transition Zone’? I noticed there isn’t a guide for that so does that mean we can either the cool or warm season guide?
Thanks in advance and great video!
Transition is an area where you may have warm season grasses or you may have cool season grasses. Neither option is preferred because it tends to be too hot for cool season and too cold for warm season during a certain part of the year but it's not impossible by any means.
Excellent presentation!
Ryan I am new to your channel but had to give you a shout out. Your videos are fantastic and easy to understand. The best part of your work for me is that the content is “actionable” meaning that it’s easy to comprehend and then apply. Your relaxed personality and respect for all methods brings credibility to your preferred tools and products.
Another 8 days of triple digits here in Idaho... Yuck. Looking to do some renovation when we get cooler weather. Thanks Ryan
Might not come this year. Still mid 80s forecast as far as I can see
What time of the year is the best to renovate a lawn
What’s the best product to smoke the existing grass?
Hey! Are the steps the same if I end up having to dethatch completely leaving just sand(in Florida)? Well, sand and rocks(and tears).
The entire south side of my yard has tree roots basically at the surface and is heavily shaded. I obviously need to add top soil, but how much? And would it be beneficial when I do a restoration that I mix seed in with the top soil before adding it and spreading it?
The heavily shaded part is going to continue to be an issue. You might consider some kind of landscaping for long term success or try to get more sunlight to that area.
“This is going to take a lot of time and effort.”
You’ve helped me make up my mind. I’m going with green concrete.
You will regret that, try cutting concrete! XD
Heard good things about Creeping Concrete.
Fantastic
How long after first cut you fertilize it? and I'm from the the northeast so is it okay to winterize it?
Quick question, I already applied the grass killer, now I'm just waiting for it to die completely, in your video noticed you guys are spreading top soil on top of dead grass, it is ok for me to do this as well, I was recommended to detach or remove as much dead grass as I can... Does it really matter? Please advise!
The soil is for leveling and smoothing out the ground. If you don't need that then you can seed into what's left after removing a bunch of the dead grass
@@ryanknorrlawncare Yes I do need to level some spots, will do, thanks
If i chemically kill off everything in my backyard, i'm worried it will travel down grade through my french drain and kill my front lawn too. What are your thoughts about that?
If you are using the Scotts starter Fert + weed control do you also need to add another starter fert? Or just stick with the scotts?
Hi - i have quite a large turf area, different sections around my house, though totals 17sqf of cool season turf types (complete mix). I going to overseed this fall, was thinking of using a slice seeder, i will still scalp and core my lawn, though heard germination can be far more successful given the soil to seed contact is almost guaranteed. Can you let me know your thoughts?
Great video Ryan. Very well layed out.👍🏻
Awesome step by step, i's helping me out a ton in doing my lawn renovation here in College Station, TX. This year I can't find any of the Scott's Starter and Weed Preventer, does anyone know of a good alternative? Or if it's even good to use on Bermuda? I recognize that Ryan deals primarily with northern lawns
Usually turf supply stores should have something similar if you ask for a starter with mesotrione
I can't remember off hand though if it's ok for bermuda
What is the best technique to kill off the old grass?
I just sprayed my whole backyard. No turning back now!
That's what I always say!
What do you do about leaves on new grass? I already have leaves coming down and haven’t even put down seed yet. My yard is too big to use a blower without walking on it...
Instead of spraying and killing the lawn is it better to use a bucket & a Harley rake ?
How do you prevent squirrels and raccoons from digging in your lawn during the seeding process? I've been at this since August and there's always spots with no grass because these things are ripping out sections at a time before the grass can fully root in or just plain digging and eating the seeds. It's disheartening to see all your hard work vanish the next morning with all these holes in your yard.
Hey Ryan, after spreading peat moss by hand last night I deiced I will be purchasing one of those rollers haha. I know you said you used around 7-10 bags for this 4000sf area. I was wondering if you were doing just a overseeding/topdressing in an area that wasn't a complete renovation, do you feel like that would take less? It's not like that roller has adjustable settings other then walking speed, lol. If so do you have any experience/idea of what the rate would be over an area like that?
It would probably be close to the same
Ryan I'd like your take on an issue with my renovation. I had to use a skid loader to smooth out and grade my front yard after removing 2 very large stumps. I've since spread and leveled my topsoil, but I'm afraid the layer underneath is way too compacted from the skid loader. I plan on using a core aerator at the very least, but do you know of any liquid aeration options that can be used near or at the time of seeding? I'm in central Iowa as well, so my seeding window is fast approaching if not already here.
As long as things are not too compacted in the first few inches you should be fine.
I’m into the 2nd week of killing my lawn. How do you limit new weeds bringing in the screened top soil? Should I try to use as much of my existing soil and till it with some heated compost? Would tilling negate the need for aerating? Does Tenacity slightly slow germination? Would you like to take a trip to Long Island NY around Labor Day and help me? :) we’ll put you up and make sure you get some time in the city. :)
I’m pretty sure if you till, you would not need to aerate it.
Tenacity is used to limit the weeds from new soil. It won't be perfect but I'm more worried about growing grass and fixing a small amount of weeds later. Just follow these steps
Ryan Knorr Lawn Care Thanks. Others are suggesting I need to let the top soil fallow for a couple weeks before seeding. I didn’t see any step for this. Are you just skipping and dealing with the weeds from the top soil later? The Meso/Tenacity must also help with this. Btw your videos are great, excellent production quality and I’ve learned a lot.
@@jbuchananator Yes I would fallow if you can but you need weeks to get that done and this video was about more of the steps after that process. Tenacity and weed control later on for whatever comes up in the soil.
So ... how do you go about killing off all the grass? Every renovation video I've watched says 'kill the grass' but none of them give any recommendations on how to do that.
I feel like I am experienced taking care of grass. But watching one of your movies from your history. Sheesh I feel dumb af.
Any chance you got weeds in soil you added to lawn?
Would you suggest scalping before areating and top dressing to level? Thinking seeding while leveling also.
What product is best to kill the grass ?
I planted bermuda grass four days ago. It seems nothing happening. I have photo's. How to show you
Hi. Do you service in Georgia? Thanks
What is your waterbill like? $400 / month?
So can I just put everything on top of my dead grass/weeds?
looking for the answer to this as well as I'm killing off an entire section of lawn and was wondering if the dead grass and weeds would cover the seeds since I don't have access to straw and peat moss of that quantity
Is killing off the existing lawn a necessary step? I was thinking about just scalping and level with compost rather than killing the whole yard off.
If you want only the new grass that you seed then you have to get rid of the old. The scalp does not do and it will just be mixing the new with the old at that point
@@ryanknorrlawncare makes sense! Bought a bottle of Roundup and a sprayer today! Thanks for the advice!
Another question , what rate of tenacity per 1k sq ft?
1/2 teaspoon of Tenacity per 1 gallon of water will cover 1000 sq. ft.
Eric Toczko thanks!
Can you fly over to Hawaii and fix my lawn pls? Lol
Please come and help me with mine!!!
Instead using chemicals, could you not just use a sod cutter and remove the grass?
1st?
TRICKS AN D TIPS 👍🏾.
$TyroneBias
What about when the whole lawn is moss..literally
Followed your steps to the letter. Today is Day 28 and my lawn is completely transformed. Thank you!
What month did you do this
I just finished doing this job today and all I have to say is; if someone invents a way to cut this job in half without sacrificing results, they'd be billionaires. Took me 7 hours by myself and my body is begging for mercy. OUCH OUCH! Great video btw, Ryan
Did mine yesterday 18 hours 5 am to 11 pm
You wimp
So Ryan this week I saw someone using your DIY sprinkler system in my neighborhood. Then I saw some pink flamingos, then I noticed the lawn was cut every other day. I knew what this could only mean. super cool to meet another Lawn Care Enthusiast in my neighborhood.
Ryan Knorr is “THE” most hard working lawn care specialist in UA-cam I have seen without any unnecessary antics. He needs more subscribers. Elegant presentation as always.
A sod cutter would have supported the "unnecessary antics" bit there
This may seem dumb. How do I kill my lawn for the Reno?
I've got a few videos on my channel. Check out the renovation playlists and it's on there
This feels like Ryan's Master Thesis project. Great video!
The easiest part about all of this is Step 1 (kill the grass). It killed itself without me having to do anything.
Probably your best video. Loved the cadence of it. Can't thank you enough!
Great video man! I just completed renovation myself this weekend. I followed the exact same steps, except that I didn't kill any of the existing grass. I used 50/50 mix topsoil and compost for leveling. Used combination of blankets and peat moss for seed coverage. Made a make shift sprinkler system (similar to yours) that cover every sq inch of my lawn. Now I am just watering three times a day and waiting to put down some more tenacity if I see any weeds pop up. You are an inspiration, keep up the great work!
Great video. Total beginner here, why do you kill the existing grass first?
To plant the new grass seed and not have any of the old crappy grass there to mix in with the new
Good advice, thank you. How would you suggest I go about doing 3 acres? Just watering that alone is going to be a nightmare.
Such a great and informative video! Thank you for you for everything! #lawngoals
The perfect, comprehensive, all-in-one lawn renovation tutorial. Well done, Ryan. Exactly what we've come to expect from you. 👍😁
THAT... Was absolutely fantastic! ❤️
Coulda rented a sod cutter and saved the chemical application, waiting, mowing, de-thatching, and several man hours but- more power to ya if you think more work and time is less work and faster
Hey Ryan! Does this same method apply to lawns that are 99% weeds? I live in a rental house where the last tenant let the yard go to hell and now its basically a dandelion and crab grass field.
Hi Ryan, I been following all your tips on my lawn renovation, I just have a question for you, I have KBG on my lawn it seems to struggle a lot to get established, is that good a idea to mix perennial rye grass seed? I live in MI thank you for your vids👍
you can mix in a light rate
What should I do if I have a tree that is CONSTANTLY dropping leaves on a lawn I’m trying to reno?
The Ryan Knorr Special Seed Blend😎👊
I’m just curious, what’s the purpose of the core aeration if you put more soil and compact it after? Someone please respond🙏🙏🙏
The deep pits allow water to seep down, which means roots will go deeper for more strength and health. Putting a bit of soil and things over the top won’t stop water from penetrating down the still mostly empty shafts.
@Ryan Knorr Lawn Care . How much does this renovation cost?
Hey Ryan, on the leveling could I use a soil sand mix? Something like 80/20? The reason I ask is that I’ve heard top soil settles after a while (obviously) and I have a fairly bumpy lawn. I just want to smooth it a little this year and then a little bit more next season and so on...
I just bought your leveling tool on your website, and I’m going to buy the compost spreader too. (Hope it arrives soon otherwise my back is going to hate me :) I procrastinated. Swardman Electra will be here in March! CANNOT WAIT!
I killed my lawn two weeks ago and it’s finally there and ready to be worked on. Problem is now the leaves are falling all over my lawn! Busting out the Sun Joe tomorrow. Going to be 80.
Should I stop and do the renovation in the spring? I’m kind of worried about the temperature now here in Minnesota. Do you think my “sissy-grass” will survive if I seed next weekend? Would love to know your thoughts! You’re the best, really appreciate the content!
Thank you for your videos. I always like your videos are detailed and easy. I live in New Jersey and bought a new house. I would like to redo the whole lawn front back. I have a lot of patches nearly no grass. What is the grass you recommend and where I can buy a quantity because it’s about 2 to 3000 ft.².
Compost probably has some level of weed seeds. Would peat moss have less or none? Do you recommend the wood fiber blanket over top of the light peat moss layer?
Hi Ryan,
I always see in your projects you typically kill and then seed. I was thinking of sod cutting, adding about 1-2 inches of good top soil (I have pretty heavy clay soil, Denver, Colorado) then seeding or replacing with sod. Anyway, couldn't find a video on your channel that talks about removing sod, cons and pros vs. killing sod and the reseeding. Could you give your insights in this area?
I have seen some on sod vs. seed. Seems to come down to cost vs. immediate return, or do find the most sod companies have lame grass on to many varieties mixed in, hence, better satisfaction with seed? Appreciate your thoughts.
-Wesley
What did you spray to kill off the grass
hey ryan i was just wondering how long i would have to wait to seed after i had used glyphosate and if you had preferred brand you like to use?
Usually a week. check out the renovation playlist on my channel from last year for how I applied
Green Lawns Matter 😂
I've been following your channel since November 2019 when we bought our house in Central Illinois and I gotta say, you have really opened my eyes to lawn care. I check out UA-cam tutorials like anyone else and I always seem to revert back to your videos. Very thorough, informative and you don't ram sponsored products down my throat when I'm just trying to learn from someone else's mistakes. I recently pulled the trigger on a DIY in ground sprinkler system to help with watering for my fall tall fescue overseed (so my wife doesn't have to water while I'm at work) and based most of it off of advice and insight I've gathered from your tutorials and videos. I never imagined I would be so into lawn care, let alone taking on such a huge project by myself but it really came together. I appreciate all of the information and insight and always look forward to learning from your renovations. Thanks for taking the time to make all of these videos and no matter what the wife says, its worth it!
Thanks for watching!
I'm in central Illinois as well. You don't have to just stop at your yard, you may help with mine!!! 🤣
I have 3 issues for my lawn; 1) WEEDS! Puncture vine, wild geranium, dandelion, and even thistle. Gross! 2) Pine tree and Cherry tree in the front yard. The pine has big, shallow roots, and the cherry tree puts out new shoots all over my yard. 3) tons of BIRDS. They eat the seeds, plus bring in weed seeds. Pleeeeeeeeease help!
Hey Ryan, I was wondering if there's such a thing as dormant fertilization? Just like during the winter months where people can dormant seed, can people toss on any fertilizer and let it settle over the winter and let the snowfall work its way into the soil? Thanks
Very good chance that runs off and doesn't get used by the soil so not the best plan there
As aspiring lawn nut I was wondering how you deal with neighbors yard's that may not be taken care of as well as yours? Do you have problems with weeds or seed contamination from them blowing their clippings into your yard.
Hey bud. How do I know if I need top soil?
If you want to smooth out the yard then there's no better time
If I tried this my HOA would drool to fine me lol
30 days of dead lawn $500 bucks
Dang
Couldn't you just till up the area after you kill the lawn? Skip the scalping, dethatching, and aeration steps altogether?
Thinking of doing my entire roughly 27,550 sqft of grass. Just kill the lawn... go to Sunbelt rentals and rent a Toro Dingo with sunbelt's "soil cultivator".... AKA a rotadairon. A rotadairon is essentially a reverse rototiller, rake, stone/debris burier, leveler, and earth moving tool all in one. If no one knows what I'm talking about just UA-cam "Toro dingo/soil cultivator" and you should see a video with Toro equipment showing the process. Leaves a sexy looking seed bed when finished. Now just picture the dingo and "soil cultivator" painted green... from Sunbelt rentals.... because they paint everything green. But you WILL be renting a Toro dingo and rotadairon. They just call it different names for.... reasons I guess. In the product description they call out the Toro Dingo model and number.
So....
Step 1. Kill lawn
Step 2. Rent Toro Dingo and Rotadairon/"soil cultivator" (prices may vary but the sunbelt website for my area says a dingo will run you $350/day or $1,295/week and the cultivator $125/day or $380/ week. How trustworthy those numbers are I don't know. I haven't gone to my local sunbelt rental place. Bottom line.... even with my 1/2+ acre of lawn (just shy of a full acre lot) .... I can't imagine it taking me much more than a day to till everything up... 2 tops. So.... about $950 to go from dead lawn to a BEAUTIFULLY tilled, leveled/ flattened/smoothed... however you want to say it, and prepped lawn immediately ready for seed.... seems the route to go IMO.
Step 3. Lightly roll lawn
Step 4...... plant new grass
Step 5. Water.... and wait.... and pray, haha.
How much N/1k sq ft is supposed to go into a lawn renovation going into the fall/winter? I renovated with GCI TTTF in NE NC. Seed was down September 12, germination happened in 6 days. I wanna make sure I get enough P and K down without going overboard on the N.
Might be a dumb question, but if one wanted to completely start over and reno their lawn why not just kill everything, scalp the shit out of the dead grass/weeds, then rototill your entire lawn and rake until smooth or "level" (people misuse that term IMO), then let it settle over summer, reassess smoothness at end of summer and touch up what needs to be touched up. Then aerate, seed, and water, water, water. By end of fall you should have a fairly lush yard that's as smooth as a baby's ass. Albeit with maybe some weeds but you could just tackle those early next spring with some preemergent and staying on top of it year round from there on out.
I ask mainly because I'm about to buy a house on 3/4 acre. About 27-28,000 sqft is lawn. If memory serves the lawn was pretty pathetic (house was built in 2016.... by an old couple in their 80s.... so on top of it suffering "new house" yard quality it's not like a couple in their 80s was keeping up meticulously with their lawn) when I did my initial walkthrough. That was toward the end of April though. I'm going to do my final wall walkthrough here in about 5 days. Will be paying much more attention to the yard this time around to access the damage so to speak.
I ask because all these lawn "leveling" videos on UA-cam I see say it'll take several seasons to get that golf course smoothness. Why not just go full bore on a reno as mentioned above?
I’m 9 days into my first renovation (killed 4000 sqft of TTTF) to start over with a new variety of fescue. So far not so good. I have quite a few areas that have only puddled with water. I didn’t add any topsoil because when I scalped the old fescue, the exposed dirt looked ok. The good news is the new fescue is coming in, so I should have some time to re-seed the areas that did not germinate in the beginning. I’m open to any advice. Thx !
Hey Ryan. I am in north Texas. Can I grow St. Augustine grass from seed? Is there such a thing? If not can this be done with zoysia ? Thank you in advance for your thoughts.