The severe drought in the midwest has killed my yard. The Fescue I planted in the spring (which took nicely) has completely died and is being replaced with crabgrass and native grasses. Other parts of the yard are full of random weeds and dead grass.
With the recent rain we've gotten I'm interested in redoing the lawn. I'm trying to find the "best" blend between manual labor and cost savings. I am trying to choose all 3 of lazy, stingy, good-lawn, but I know I can only pick two.
Half of my yard is heavily shaded by a large maple tree (but the grass is still dead and weedy). A third of the remainder is covered by a heavily-producing pear tree (which we might mulch around to promote the tree instead), and what's left is exposed to sun. Trees are slated for the near future, so shade will be coming in 5 years.
My question:
How do I go from my crappy dead, weedy lawn to a gorgeous lush lawn? I have available to me:
- Weed & Feed
- About 25lb of Fescue blend (grew well in all areas before I gave up watering)
- A "chick-chick-chick" sprinkler and a "wave" sprinkler on a long hose with a timer. I don't have enough hose or pressure to water the whole yard at once.
- Access to an aerator (PTO on a riding mower)
- Access to a tiller (manual, this will conflict heavily with my lazy streak)
I am not against any chemicals or fertilizers.