This new house had its final grade completed around Thanksgiving.  However, with cooler temperatures, it was too late for fescue to germinate. We came up with a good plan and a good price.

First, we used a power rake to scrape and rough up the soil where the contractor’s ten-ton trucks had driven for a months.  Then we top-dressed the soil with two inches of good topsoil.  We could have used 6 inches at least, but that was cost prohibitive.

Then we used a power seeder.  Power seeders handle like a fire hose gone wild.  The machine blends the rye seed with a paper mache base.  The grass seed sticks to the steep slopes within this solution.  We crossed our fingers for light, steady rains throughout the winter.

Here is what we got by February 5^th!  Not bad right?  We will fertilize this lawn in March but will not overseed with fescue until the fall.  Fescue will not have time to establish deep enough roots in this harsh country setting before the hot weather hits.  We did not want to throw her money away.

In early September we will aerate, seed and fertilize the entire space so a good stand of fescue can get established before the autumn leaves fall.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.