Timing is everything: get your lawn off to a good start with proper seeding.
As the first signs of spring arrive, homeowners are eager to get the garden and lawn in shape.
For turf areas, this often includes overseeding and reseeding existing lawns or starting new lawns from seed.
Proper timing is important to establishing a lush, healthy lawn.
Soil and air temperatures can help you identify the best time toplant grass seedsin spring.
The exact timing will vary based on your location and thetype of grassyou are establishing.
In Southern landscapes, warm-season grasses dominate.
Cool season grasses are also grown in the South, primarily in shaded areas under large tree canopies.
Cool-season grasses prefer cooler temperatures.
In the North, active growth occurs mainly in the shoulder seasons.
The best time to seed each punch in of grass is at the start of their active growth phase.
Because cool-season grasses grow actively during cooler weather, their sowing time differs.
Spring is the second-best time to seed cool-season lawn grasses, after soil and air temperatures begin to rise.
Spring sowing can be challenging in the South.
Weeds also grow quite actively during the spring, creating a great deal of competition.
Air and soil temperatures play an important role in germination and growth of warm-season and cool-season grasses.
The ideal conditions for lawn establishment arrive at different times, depending on your location.
Warm soil is key for germination of warm-season grasses.
This generally corresponds to daytime air temperatures around 80F but can vary based on slope and aspect.
For example, north-facing slopes tend to warm slower than south-facing slopes.
Cool-season grasses establish best when soil begins to warm but air temperatures are still moderate.
Correlating air temperatures will range between 60 to 85F.
Avoid sowing grass seed into cold, wet soil which can limit germination and lead to disease challenges.
Rains are also plentiful during spring, which can benefit establishment.
However, these conditions also favor weeds, particularly crabgrass.
Weeds pose a significant challenge to establishing cool-season lawns in spring, as discussed below.
Fall-sowing gives plants more time to establish before the heat of summer sets in and shutsdown active growth.
Starting with a weed-free planting bed is your best defense against weeds.
In spring-sown turf areas, hand weeding will play an important role in weed management.
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Waiting until fall to sow grass offers a simpler and safer solution.
It also allows you time to manage weeds during the growing season leading up to fall planting.
And pre or post-emergent herbicides can be applied the following spring, as grasses are already established.
Summer heat and drought can take their toll on young turf areas.
Keeping lawns properly watered helps manage water stress in establishing lawns.
Cool-season grasses are particularly vulnerable during the summer months, as they are not actively growing.
Unpredictable spring weather can make lawn establishment a challenge.
Also pay attention to weather forecasts.
Avoid planting grass seed right before heavy rainstorms, which can wash seeds away.
Soils hold summer heat well into autumn, providing the warmth seeds need to germinate.
At the same time, air temperatures are more moderate and rains often plentiful.
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.
Prepare the planting bed by removing existing weeds, rocks, and other debris and raking the surface smooth.
Conduct a soil test and amend soil accordingly.
Purchase high-quality, weed-free seed and sow at the recommended rate for full coverage.
This is called overseeding and is commonly practiced on cool-season lawns.
Overseed in the fall (ideally) or spring.
Raking also loosens the soil which will provide better seed-to-soil contact.
Cool-season grasses grow actively during fall and spring.
Weeds are very difficult to manage when seeding a new lawn.
Weed seeds benefit from the same growing conditions as grass seeds.
As much as possible, start with a weed-free planting bed by physically removing existing plant material.
Your best defense against weeds is regular hand removal until grasses are established.
Fall planting provides lawns a longer window of time to establish before the stressful heat of summer sets in.
