MUD back yard help

LouNY · Oct 17, 2018

I would seed it in winter rye, it will germinate quickly and get you a root mass and cover, come spring start mowing it tall and seed with your desired grass seed.
Or in the spring a quick hit of round up, wait a few days (5-7) then either broadcast or drill in the seed you want.

oosik · Oct 18, 2018

I "redid" a part (120 x 250) of my lawn about two weeks ago. I've failed to keep up with the pocket gophers this year and it looked like a practice field for an Army Heavy Infantry brigade. So I used my tractor rear blade - reversed - leveled it out and will wait for the spring to reseed. Too cold right now. Besides - its the ABSOLUTE opposite of muddy - its VERY bone dry.

Very fortunate to have a very large seed companies locally - Rainer Seed & Landmark W & N Seed - where I will be able to get native grass mixtures to replant.

All my "lawns" are simply native grasses that have been mowed for the last 36 years I've been here. They have the advantage of being EXTREMELY resistant to our summer and early fall dry weather. However - nothing beats the pocket gophers, except an ongoing eradication program.

TheMan419 · Oct 18, 2018

I'd call the local extension. Plant a good winter rye or something that will grow. You are right you need the root mass to keep things together until you can plant the "good" lawn in the spring.

Then you have to decide. You can spread the good lawn seeds now. Then in the spring keep things mowed and they will choke out the rye or whatever cover crop you planted.

OR do not plant the good seed now and till everything up again in the spring.

I would probably go the second route. That also gives you the ability to regrade the property if necessary for better drainage. You said there is a ditch on one side of the property. Are you allowed to use that to your advantage and grade everything so runoff goes into the ditch?