I just had a landscaper come in and check out my space. And after hearing how much it would cost, I figured I could do it on my own. He recommended that I start out with dethatching so that I could get rid of that the nice green grass could come back.
My main complaint is around the clovers invading my grass.
What I am trying to determine is what should my first step be?
I am thinking to get a power rake and to get something to spray the weeds and then pull them up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I am no expert on lawn care but I do a lot of reading and researching on lawn care to keep my lawn looking good.
You may have a grub infestation, I would did up a section (1' X 1'), if you have 8 to 10 grubs that needs to be addressed, 5 or less is not an issue. 2-4d or Trimec will take care of clover and other broad leaf weeds. I would get a power rake and get rid of dead grass. Then use a disk seeder http://www6.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Overseeder/TS-20HD/ to over seed lawn with appropriate seed. You may need to change species of grass (shade or full sun or combination of each) when you buy seed there will be a recommendation on the bag for full sun, shade, or combination. After you over seed then apply a starter fertilizer with no crab grass preventer. Then water keeping soil wet but not too wet, just want to keep it wet until the new grass starts to show.
You could use the power rake enough to loosen up the soil for seeding then just broadcast your grass seed. After you get grass going I highly recommend using Milorganite which is a organic fertilizer that will build up your soil instead of just feed the lawn. I have switch my lawn over to a milorganite program which is 4 application per year. My lawn was sod laid over yellow clay with no top soil. My intent is to build up my organic material through mulching, aeration, and milorganite.
I forgot to mention your issue may just be the species of grass why it is dying off.
That looks rough no doubt. You're definitely going to have to put in a lot of work in order to get your lawn back to where it should be. Don't give up though if you keep working at it your lawn will come back to life.
