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Back Yard · The Manor · Litchfield County CT

Reseed Grass

Lawn restoration, germination week 2 of 4, spring 2026
Status In Progress
Classification DIY
Started May 15, 2026
Phase 3 of 5
Current phase Germination + watering
Time in phase ~2 of 3-4 week window
Next checkpoint Bald-spot inspection, Jun 5-12
Dashboard area Back Yard
1 Why This Project
Why This Project

Repairing the lawn before summer foot traffic and before the patio and shed builds open up more of the yard. A dense lawn now means less weed pressure and less bare-soil erosion through the rest of the season.

2 Status
Current Status Watering is the lever
CURRENT PHASE Germination + watering
TIME IN PHASE ~2 weeks of 3-4 week window
NEXT CHECKPOINT Bald-spot inspection, June 5-12
RISK Dry stretch could stall germination. Watering cadence is the lever.
3 Phase Track
Five-Phase Restoration Phase 3 active
01 PREP + SEED done, ~May 15
02 HAY COVER done, ~May 15
03 GERMINATE + WATER active, now to Jun 12
04 SPOT RESEED pending, ~Jun 12
05 ESTABLISH + FIRST MOW pending, ~Jul
4 Action Log
Phase 01 to 02 Seed and Cover Complete
1.
Seeded the back yard. First round of grass seed laid across the full restoration area.
May 15
2.
Covered the seeded area with hay. Mulch layer to hold moisture and protect seed, not a tarp.
May 15
Phase 03 Germinate and Water In progress
1.
Regular watering, weeks 1 to 2. Kept the top inch of soil consistently moist through the first half of the germination window.
May 15-29 · done
2.
Continue watering, weeks 3 to 4. Hold the cadence steady through the back half of the window.
May 29-Jun 12 · in progress
3.
Walk the yard and mark bald spots. Identify any areas that did not take before the spot-reseed pass.
Jun 5-12 · pending
Phase 04 to 05 Spot Reseed and Establish Pending
1.
Reseed bald spots and re-cover with hay. Patch any thin or bare areas found during the walk.
Jun 5-12 · pending
2.
Continue watering until established. Maintain the cadence until the new turf is rooted and growing.
Jun-Jul · pending
3.
First mow at 3 to 3.5 inches with a sharp blade. Bag the clippings on the first pass.
~Jul · pending
5 Materials On Hand

Materials in use for the current restoration. Extra seed and an extra bale are needed for the spot-reseed pass in Phase 4.

Grass seed first round laid May 15
Need extra for spot reseed
Straw / hay cover covering full seeded area
Need extra bale for spot cover
Hose + sprinkler current watering setup
Owned
6 Next Action
Do This Next Inspection window Jun 5-12

Keep the watering cadence steady for another 1 to 2 weeks, then walk the yard and mark bald spots.

INSPECTION WINDOW June 5 to June 12, 2026
7 Notes
Watering and Care Notes
  • Water early morning when possible. Evening watering invites fungal pressure on new turf.
  • Aim for a consistently moist top inch of soil, not soaked. If a footprint stays wet, ease off.
  • Do not pull the hay off. It is mulch, not a tarp. New growth will push through.
  • Keep foot traffic off the seeded area until after the first mow.
  • First mow at 3 to 3.5 inches with a sharp blade. Bag the clippings on the first pass.
  • If bald spots after week 4 are larger than expected, check whether birds or runoff took seed from any low areas before reseeding.
The Manor · Back Yard · Reseed Grass Germination week 2 of 4 · inspection window June 5-12, 2026