Establishing a New Lawn in Northeast Ohio: Weed Control and Grass Selection

Summer Weed Management Before Fall Seeding

A Medina County, Ohio homeowner (Zone 6) building a new home wanted to control weeds all summer without preventing fall grass establishment.

Pre-Seeding Weed Eradication

• Non-selective herbicide: Glyphosate (Round-Up) kills all non-woody vegetation. Apply on calm day, wait 5-7 days, repeat if needed.
• Woody weeds/brush: Use brush killer (often triclopyr-based) or poison ivy products.
• No pre-emergent: It would prevent fall grass seed germination.
• Soil improvement window: After kill, till, amend per soil test, install irrigation if desired.

Grass Selection for Zone 6 (Akron/Medina)

• Primary recommendation: Tall Fescue (improved cultivars: SR-8600, Rembrandt, Plantation). Hardy, deep-rooted, heat/drought tolerant.
• Alternative: Kentucky bluegrass blends (higher maintenance, rhizomatous repair).
• Sun/Shade mix: Tall fescue in sun, fine fescue in shade.
• Problem areas: Bermuda grass cultivars in hottest, driest spots (dormant in winter).

Finding Quality Grass

• Local garden centers: Ask for named cultivars, not generic types.
• Neighborhood lawns: Identify impressive turf, ask owner.
• Online resources: Turf-Merchants, Turf-Seed Inc. Seed Selection Wizard.
• Ohio State Extension: Turfgrass Species Selection.

Key Principle

Work all summer to create a weed-free, well-prepared seedbed. Fall seeding into clean, amended soil yields far better results than rushing into weedy, poor soil.