Fall is a Good Time for Lawn Seeding
Amy Jordan
Thursday, September 6, 2007
September is prime time for cool-season lawn care, especially seeding.
To achieve a great new lawn that the neighbors are jealous of, follow these seeding secrets to success.
Proper seeding rate
For tall fescue, 6 to 8 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. should be used for new areas, or half that for overseeding. Seeding at too high of a rate could result in a lawn more susceptible to disease and damage from stress, seeding to light could result in a patchy, unattractive lawn. The best way to avoid such a mistake is to determine the square footage of the yard first, then calculate the amount of seed.
Even dispersal
Evenness is best achieved by carefully calibrating the seeder or simply by determining the amount of seed needed, then adjusting the seeder to a low setting and making several passes to ensure even dispersal. Multiple seeder passes in opposite directions should also help achieve even distribution of seed.
Good seed to
soil contact
Establishing good seed to soil contact is essential for good germination rates. If seeding worked soil, use light hand raking to mix the seed into the soil. A leaf rake often works better than a garden rake as it mixes the seed in more shallowly.
For overseeding, start by mowing the grass short (1 to 1.5 inches) and removing the clippings. This will make it easier to achieve seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings.
Slit seeders achieve good contact at the time of seeding by dropping seed directly behind the blade that slices a furrow into the soil. Packing wheels then follow to close the furrow. The same result can be accomplished by using a verticut machine (fixed, vertical blades) before broadcasting the seed and then verticutting a second time. Core aerators can also be used to seed grass. Go over an area at least three times in different directions, and then broadcast the seed. Germination will occur in the aeration holes. Since those holes stay moister than a traditional seedbed, this method requires less watering.
Proper watering
Newly planted areas should be watered lightly, but often. Soil should be kept constantly moist but not waterlogged. During hot days, you may need to water three times a day. If you are unable to do this, germination will be slowed. Cool, calm weather may require watering only every couple of days. As the grass plants come up, gradually decrease watering to once a week if you don’t receive rain. Let the plants tell you when to water. If you can push the blades down and they don’t spring back up quickly, the lawn needs water.
Fertilizer could be applied at the time of seeding at the rate suggested by a soil test or a starter fertilizer could be used at the rate suggested on the bag. Fertilize again 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to keep plants growing well and to build up food reserves. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer.
Once seed sprouts, try to minimize how much traffic (foot, mower, dog, etc.) seeded areas receive until the seedlings are a little more robust and ready to be mowed. Begin mowing once seedlings reach 3 to 4 inches tall. Avoid applying herbicide to control weeds until the newly seeded areas have been mowed a few times.