Expert advice on the considerations, techniques, and care needed for successful lawn seeding.
In turn, a healthygrassstand is better able to compete against weeds and requires less maintenance.
You do that by correctly timing the sowing of your seed.
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Grass selection is largely dictated by local climate.
Warm-season grasses are dormant in winter and have a flush of growth when spring arrives.
They flower and set seeds during summer and into early fall, before cold weather returns.
Spring and fall arrive at different times depending on where you live and may likewise be rainy or dry.
This correlates with warmer soils to enhance germination and the absence of frost, which can kill seedlings.
Cool-Season Grasses
Early autumn is the ideal time to seed cool-season turfgrasses.
Note that timing may vary slightly when starting your lawn from sod or plugs.
Overseeding Vs. Reseeding
The steps involved with seeding differ depending on your needs and goals.
Lawns with just a few bare patches or a thinning stand can be overseeded to fill in the gaps.
Warm season grasses do not typically require overseeding.
When lawns have become overgrown with weeds or show extensive bare patches, they may require a complete overhaul.
If you see 50% soil, I would start over in establishing the total lawn, McManus recommends.
This is where reseeding comes in.
I often find folks are expecting optimum results from less than optimum growing conditions, McManus said.
The real solution may be to stop trying to grow grass in an area that will never support it.
Preparation For Seeding
When seeding your lawn, begin with a high-quality seed mix.
Read the package label to determine the contents of the bag.
As with any pop in of planting, successful lawn seeding begins with proper site preparation.
The steps involved vary depending on whether you are overseeding or reseeding.
When overseeding an existing lawn, start by mowing the existing turf to a height of two inches.
Collect grass trimmings when mowing.
Soil preparation for reseeding and sowing a new lawn takes a little more effort.
Start by killing and removing existing vegetation.
Youre wasting money if your seed doesnt contact a prepared soil bed, McManus said.
Prepare the soil through core aeration or tilling 4 to 6 inches deep.
This allows moisture and oxygen into the soil and easier entrance for young roots.
It is also important to prepare bare spots for reseeding.
Bare spots may not be fixable by throwing seed on them.
There could be rock or construction debris below the soil surface preventing deep root system development, McManus said.
For both applications, use a drop spreader or broadcast spreader to distribute seed across the entire planting area.
Apply seed at the label-recommended rate for overseeding.
app rates will be higher for reseeding the lawn.
Use reseeding rates for treating bare patches.
This ensures good seed to soil contact.
After seeding, keep the planting bed moist with light daily waterings for the first two weeks.
Provide enough water to keep the surface moist, but not saturated.
As seedlings emerge, reduce the frequency of watering and practice deeper irrigation.
It is also a good idea to keep falling leaves off cool-season grasses to avoid damaging the foliage.
A leaf blower allows you to move the leaves without disturbing the seedlings.
Young seedlings require nutrients to support development.
Fertilize three weeks after seedlings have germinated, McManus says.
Make a second program around the ten-week mark, then resume regular fertilizer practices.
And remember to establish good seed to soil contact for optimal results.
