Since it is the right time of the year, and we have had ample rainfall, this is a great time to consider doing some lawn renovation. 

Lawn renovation is the process of completely revamping the lawn. 

Here are a few things to consider if you are considering renovating your yard soon.

Determine if completely renovating the lawn is necessary. 

You might consider refurbishing your lawn if: 

— there is less than 50 percent of the lawn contains the desired turf,

— replacing existing grass with an improved variety that is more tolerant to pests, heat, or drought is desired

— there is a need to manage weed issues that are otherwise impossible to control such as Bermuda grass or Quackgrass or

— there is a desire to improve turf that has been damaged by white grubs or disease. 

Many times, due to the expense and challenge of renovating the lawn, it may be the last option to consider when all other avenues of dealing with lawn issues have been exhausted.

If renovating the lawn is desired, there two different methods to go about it. 

There is the conventional method that involves killing all of the vegetation, tilling, then reseeding. 

hen there is the no-till method that does not include tilling and may not require a complete kill of the existing vegetation. 

When dealing with compaction, water drainage issues, problems resulting from uneven lawn services, or when trying to control herbicide (glyphosate) resistant weeds, conventional renovation may be the best choice. 

When erosion may be an issue, or there are other components of the landscape such as perennial plants, trees, or shrubs that could be damaged by tillage, no-till renovation may be a better option. 

Each method has many other advantages and disadvantages to consider. 

It is essential to weigh each technique in detail for your situation before deciding which establishment method to use.

The lawns in our area are made up primarily of cool-season grasses (tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bluegrass). 

There are only two windows of opportunity to seed the lawn for the most significant chance of success due to their growing requirements.

The spring window is mid- February to March, and the fall window is late August to late September. 

The fall window should be the primary choice since there is a more extended period of seedling establishment before the grasses have to undergo summer heat and drought stress.

Since we are now in that fall window, and if you wish to renovate your lawn and would like to know more, call me at the Clark County Extension Service at 744-4682. 

David Davis is the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.