Question
QUESTION: Hey Tom, have a question about weed control while I am waiting to seed here next month: Our house was just built and finished at the end of last year. I am in NE Ohio (zip code 44030). This spring, after the snow melted, we had a messy, mud pit as a yard (yeah, I know, Boo-hoo, so does every new construction home owner, right?) Well, as soon as the warm weather hit, the weeds grew and spread like wildfire - 2 to 3 ft tall weeds as far as the eye could see!
So, this past week the I hired someone to bring in more dirt and fill my ditch in to get ready to plant a yard finally. They have chopped up all the weeds and/or covered them all up with multiple loads of fill dirt and top soil. I now have a beautiful dirt lawn again that is ready for planting.
I wanted to know what I can do to keep those weeds from popping back up in the next few weeks since I don't plan on seeding until Mid-September. What do you suggest? - treat the dirt with glyphosate or premergent? Lay straw down to prevent the weeds? ........ let me know what you think. Thanks!

ANSWER: Chris:

That soil around Cleveland is rotten in the winter,.. slick and fine.

It sounds as though you have done great prep for the lawn.  If the weeds did that well, the grass ought to do just fine.

Your choice of weed control:  mechanical or glyphosate.  Do not use a pre-emergent.  It will stunt grass seed as it prevents weeds from germinating.  I now that there are refinements in pre-emergents, but I would not take the chance.

If you use Roundup or like, wait a while before sewing.  A few days or a week ought to be fine.

Good planning.  

By the way, does the Hylander still have good food?

Best wishes.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tom, thanks for the very quick response! I appreciate your advice and will be doing the glyphosate this weekend. Does it just come in a liquid spray or does it come in a powder form? And, although it has been a while since I was at the highlander in Lakewood, I do remember the food being EXCELLENT.....which poses another question - if I remember it being so good.....why haven't I gone there in a while???!?!?! haha! THANKS TOM!

Answer
Chris:

The spray comes in liquid, unless you are a farmer.  Ready made containers or concentrated for mixing.  Follow directions on the high side, but not over. 1.5 to 3.0 oz/gal. ought to do it.

Well, I liked the rice pudding and veal and tend to go where blue plate specials are offered.  Also, next to Dennis's Cleveland office.  Must be a taste thing, no judgement implied #;-o

Good luck.