Question
My question is I tried seeding, fertilizer,(turf builder) pesticide control, weed and feed. I tried
them all. Still grass will not grow in certain areas.
Rocks are in the soil. The prior owner had two dogs. I was wondering could this have caused the grass not to grow in certain areas.  It appears that the grass has patches of dirt and rocks.





                                 Thank You

                                    ERIK

Answer
I suspect the grass is simply unable to get a foodhold because the soil is very compact (hard). I would loosen the top few niches of soil and mix in some good quality topsoil and/or compost. Then spread grass seeds and keep the top 1" of soil consistently moist until the grass germinate (sprout).

The watering guideline for a lawn is normally to water infrequently but deeply such as once per week for 2 hours instead of 15 minutes daily. The goal is to thoroughly wet the root zone to a dept of 8-10" and then not water again until the top layer starts to dry out. This encourages roots to grow deep.

However, right after seeding, you need to keep the top 1" of soil consistently hydrated. You do this by watering frequently and shallowly. E.g. such as 1-3 times per day for 10-15 minutes at a time (e.g. turn regular watering guidelines up side down). Do this until seeds sprout and then gradually over a period of 3-4 weeks, change to the infrequent and deep watering pattern.

The compost mixed into the soil will help keep the seedbed slightly moist.

I would recommend that you fertilize your lawn in late spring, early fall and late fall (not during hot summer months) if you are located in the northern half of USA.

General lawn care tips after the grass sprout:
- water infrequently but deeply (such as once per week for 2 hours)
- mow frequently and mow high. cut grass 2.5-3.5" tall (after a cutting). recycle clippings to the lawn (do not bag)
- fertilize in spring and fall (not summer) in the north.
- Avoid using too many herbicides/insecticides. If you need to fight weeds, then use weed-be-gon which is available in spray bottles but use in moderate temperatures of late spring and early fall. Do not use during hot summer months.

Rocky soils may make the soil very compact which grass does not like. Loosening the top of the soil and using some compost to improve the quality of the soil should help.

Dogs may kill lawn grass with their urine but a few weeks later when water (rain) has washed the soluble salts through the root zone, there is no problem.

My guess is the hard compact soil.

Also: as mentioned above: to establish new grass you MUST keep the top 1" of soil consistently hydrated (moist) until new grass sprouts. This is a requirement.