Choose The Right Seed
This is the most important step, get this wrong and you may end up making your lawn look worse rather than better. Different species of grass can look very different so you want to avoid mixing types if at all possible. If you are unsure a mixed seed containing a few different kinds of grass could work well as it will help blend the different grasses together. Look for a mixed seed with ryegrass and fescue.
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Cover Seed With A Fertile Mulch
The intense summertime sun can harm your young grass by drying it out. Mulching grass seed helps retain moisture without blocking airflow to the roots. It can also keep hungry birds from devouring your expensive seed.
You can do this by laying a protective layer over the seeds. Do this by leaving:
- 1/4 layer of screened compost
- Commercial mulch for grass seed
Using your lawn mower to leave grass clippings on your yard after mowing will also help with this, but I recommend bagging your lawn clippings the first few times you mow a new lawn grown from seeds.
Should I Mix Grass Seed With Topsoil
The answer to this question depends on the condition of your lawn. If you have a healthy lawn with just a few bare spots, you can simply seed those areas.
However, if your lawn is in poor condition or has large bare patches, youll need to mix the grass seed with topsoil before spreading it. This will give the new grass a better chance of taking root and growing.
Its best to do a combination of both methods.
First, spread topsoil over your entire lawn. Then use a broadcast spreader to apply grass seed evenly over your entire lawn. If youre working on larger patches of bare ground, though, youll need to remove most of the existing soil before spreading new topsoil and seeding with grass seed.
Youll want to water your lawn frequently until its well established. New grass seed needs consistent moisture to germinate and grow. This is especially true in hot weather when it can dry out very quickly.
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It Contributes To Soil Erosion Control
Small-scale soil erosion detracts from the appearance of a yard, and large-scale soil erosion is a growing environmental concern. Grass and grassroots can hold dirt in place. Turfgrass is recommended by scientists because it is more lasting than alternative treatments, it is significantly more cost-effective, and it produces measurable effects.
The Grass Seed Also Matters When Overseeding The Lawn
In addition to ensuring that the soil conditions are optimal with a lawn aeration service, you also want to make sure that you are putting down a high-quality grass seed if youre expecting great results. We find that most homeowners arent aware how dramatically grass seed can differ. To get the best results, you need the best seed.The best grass seed for Tennessee is a blend. At Master Lawn, we are seeding with a premium blend that is 80 percent Tall Fescue and 20 percent Ryegrass to provide the best of what each of those grasses has to offer.You also want to make sure that youre overseeding the lawn at the right time. By late summer, most lawns in Memphis TN and Northern MS are struggling due to the intense heat. Lawn aeration is best performed in the fall as the temperatures begin to drop a bit. The soil is still warm but the air temperature is cooler, providing better growing conditions for your new grass.The grass will thrive through winter but really start to perform its best in the spring, growing quickly and steadily.While some people ask about lawn aeration in the spring, the problem with this timing is that it starts to heat up too quickly. Ultimately, the summer sun can fry your brand-new and fragile grass. Thats why we recommend aeration and overseeding a lawn in the fall.
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Will Grass Seeds Grow If You Just Throw Them On The Ground
Its simply not ideal to just throw grass seeds on your lawn or ground. Its important for the seeds to touch the ground in order to germinate.
Its true that theres still a possibility that the seeds will sprout if you just throw them away, but this wont guarantee a hundred percent germination.
Its ideal to rake the ground after scattering the seeds on your lawn. This will make sure that all the seeds you planted will sprout and germinate.
It could also make sure that they get the moist they need that could help them sprout nicely.
Can You Just Throw Grass Seed Down And It Will Grow
Grass seeds are not strong enough to grow through soil. They are supposed to be placed on top of the prepared soil. Germination can be affected by too much soil on top of the seeds. The best way to plant grass seeds is to place them directly on the soil surface.
If youre planting them in a container, youll want to cover the container with a layer of peat moss. This will help prevent the grass seed from drying out. You can also place the seed directly in the potting soil, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much moisture can cause the plant to wilt and die.
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How To Sow Grass Seed
For small areas, it’s easy to sow grass seed by hand. Carefully spread the seeds on the ground and cover them with about a quarter of an inch of soil, says Noah James, owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance .
‘Moisten the ground, mix the seed and scatter it evenly. Sow 1 1/4 ounces of seed per square yard half from right to left and the other half from left to right to ensure a good coverage,’ add the experts at Johnsons Lawn Seed.
For larger areas, use a spreader to sow the seed. Trying to use your hands for large areas can lead to very uneven coverage of grass seed,’ says Walker. ‘I have found that push rotary spreaders do an excellent job. They apply the seed at a consistent rate for uniform coverage.
Once you have sown your seed, carefully cover the seeds over with soil using either your hand or a rake.
Press the seeds down by standing on them or using a tool like a roller, because they need a firm seedbed, adds James.
Take care not to plant the seeds either too deep or shallow. Bury them too deep and they will take longer to germinate. Too shallow and the seeds will be prone to drying out or being eaten by birds, says Hedges-Gower.
Once you have planted your grass seed, you can apply starter fertilizer if you didnt do so prior to planting. Water immediately. ‘In case of dry weather use a fine spray to keep the seed bed well watered and moist,’ add Johnsons Lawn Seed experts.
Fertilize The Soil Underneath Your Lawn
Fertilizing your soil could help ensure that your grass germinates and grows healthily. You can use a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorous.
However, the kind of fertilizer that you should use will really depend on the condition of your soil.
You can also use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. You can put the fertilizer before or after you lay your seeds.
Whats important is that it is mixed well with your soil. You can use the back of a leaf rake to do this. Just make sure that you only rake lightly.
You can also add a thin layer of compost over your entire lawn. Make sure that you dont overdo this as it could affect the success of germinating your seeds. A very thin layer should already help your seeds and grass grow.
To make sure that your compost is spread evenly, you can use a thatch rake. Check if some of the compost you used is completely flat on the soil.
Avoid leaving some on top of the existing grass. Keep in mind that its always best to follow the manufacturers directions when it comes to using composts and fertilizers.
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Tips For Sowing Grass Seeds In Winter
- Select a cool-season grass that germinates best while the ground is still a bit cool fescues, Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, for example.
- Seeds must make direct contact with bare soil.
- Dormant seeding is most successful in soil that is loose or has been previously tilled.
- Rake the area before seeding to agitate the soil and ensure it is free of debris.
- Follow seed provider guidelines for broadcast coverage. Too much seed can be as unproductive as under-seeding.
- Once seeding is complete, lightly rake the surface to cover the seeds.
- Keep off the lawn and allow the weather to do the hard work. The cycle of freezing and thawing throughout the winter will help the seeds set. And any snowfall will result in even soil compression, which will aid in germination.
- Hold off on the use of any herbicides until after germination has set in.
Choose The Right Seed For Your Climate
Whatever grass you choose, its important that you choose something that will thrive long-term in your climate, not simply in the summer.
If you live in a northern climate, youll need to go with a cool season grass seed, or a blend of different cool season grasses.
If you live in the south, youll want something tailored to the heat and conditions where you live.
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Do You Need To Roll In Grass Seed
The raking will give the seed more contact with the soil, so you dont want to bury the seed. Rolling over the seed will make it more difficult for the new seed to grow. Raking is a great way to get rid of weeds that are growing in your garden.
You can also use it to remove weeds from your lawn. Raking can be done in the spring or fall, depending on the type of weed you are dealing with.
How To Plant Grass Seeds On The Existing Lawn In Spring
Well, are you planning to overseed your lawn in spring? If yes, follow are tips mentioned below.
- Select the grass better suited to your garden and mating climate.
- For spring, warm-season grasses like Bermuda, and Bahia grasses can be overseeded from March through September.
- Simply prepare your existing lawn by watering mowing, bagging the clippings.
- Dethatch the soil and properly aerate the lawn following our above-mentioned guidelines.
- Fertilize the lawn using a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
- Spread the seeds using a spreader.
- Water the seeds more often until the newly germinated seeds become 1 inch in height.
- Make sure not to mow and apply pesticides after germination.
- Once the grass has reached the height of existing plants, mow the garden as required.
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Establish A Good Care Routine
As your new grass areas reach the height of your existing grass areas, you can begin to mow on a regular basis. Itâs also important to establish a good care routine for your newly sprouted grasses. Regular fertilization and weed control is a fundamental action that can make a big difference in the life and health of your yard. Year-round lawn care addresses the unique needs of Colorado lawns through routine applications of fertilizers and weed/pest control agents. Contact us today to learn more about our affordable options and make the most of your lawn.
Planting grass seed on existing lawns is an easy pick-me-up to embattled lawns that need a little extra filling out. Follow our four easy steps and your lawn will be lush and full in no time at all.
How Do You Maintain Brand New Grass
Feeding a new lawn is one of the most important steps to maintaining it after you have mastered how to plant grass seed .
Seedlings require a lot of food in the initial germination phase. We need to turn this into a nice lush adult grass plant as quickly as possible, says Hedges Gower.
Feed your lawn every 4-8 weeks until it is well established, then twice a year.
Don’t reach for the lawnmower too quickly. New lawns shouldnt be mowed until the grass reaches three inches tall. Make sure you know how often you should mow your lawn so you don’t destroy all of your hard work in planting grass seed.
‘Reseeding lawns after heavy footwall will help recover dull patches and bring back its lush color,’ add the Cobra experts.
If filling in patches, continue to mow the lawn as usual but keep the blade slightly higher in order to allow the new seedlings a better chance to absorb more food and water, says Hedges Gower.
In addition, know how to aerate a lawn to improve a lawn’s overall health, and try to keep pets off the grass as their urine is high in nitrogen, which can easily scorch lawns when undiluted.
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Do I Need To Remove Weeds Before Overseeding
This depends on the time of year. Weeds tend to really thrive and spread during the middle of summer. The middle of summer is also the worst time to plant grass seed.
Weeds will dominate any thin areas of lawns! Try to catch thin areas of the lawn in the spring when the weeds are just starting to take over. This is a great time to apply new grass seed and choke out the weeds!
The weeds will win the battle for your yard in the summer. Use the time during the hot months to apply a weed killer or weed and feed. Get the weeds under control before it is time to plant seed in the fall.
Fall is a great time to overseed! The weeds should be dying down at this point. Check your local weather forecast for frost warnings. It is best to plant grass seed at least 45 days before the first frost. This will allow the new seed to take root before it goes dormant.
Is Sod A Better Choice In The Summer
Laying sod in the summer can be tricky. However, if you can afford it, establishing a lawn from sod instead of seed may give you better results as long as you keep up with watering.
Sod can certainly be far more costly than spreading grass seed, but you probably wont have as many weeds to address at the end of the project, and the results will be nearly instantaneous.
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Planting Grass Seed In Fall
In many climates, the best time to plant grass seed is in the autumn. The still-warm soil of late August, September, October, or November encourages optimum root growth, while the cooling air temperatures discourage excessive top growth. This is perfect for establishing lawn grasses and promoting extensive root growth. It also makes the turf more resistant to drought and better able to access nutrients in the soil. In addition, in most regions, fall also brings increased amounts of rainfall. This means you wont have to lug out the hose and sprinkler as often.
Its time to plant grass seed in the fall when nighttime temperatures drop down to about 60 degrees F. Keep an eye on the forecast. Opt for sowing grass seed when theres a day or two of rain predicted.
How Often To Water Grass Seed After Planting
Water newly planted grass seed daily if the weather is over 80 degrees F. Every other day is a good watering schedule if temperatures are cooler. Prior to germination, wet the top inch or so of soil. But, once the grass seed germinates and begins to grow, reduce the frequency of irrigation but water more deeply. Once your new grass is about two inches tall, reduce your watering schedule to once or twice a week, but water until the ground is wet down to a depth of about three inches.
Once grass is fully established, stop irrigation all together, unless theres a prolonged period of drought. When it comes to watering established lawns, its always better to water less frequently but very deeply. Always water lawn in the morning, if possible, to reduce the chance of fungal disease issues.
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Choosing Seed That Can Germinate & Thrive In Summer Heat
Some types of grass seed are more resilient in high-temperature weather. Having a good understanding of these grass types is important when learning how to plant grass seed in the summer.
If you live in a warmer, southern climate, these are some examples of excellent options for establishing a lawn from seed during summer weather.
A local landscaper or garden center will know the area where you live and your micro-climate. They are always a great resource and will be able to provide further guidance on grasses that thrive in your locality.
How To Ensure Good Coverage
Sometimes its challenging to ensure ample coverage of grass seedlings. If you are using a drop spreader, I suggest distributing the seeds in one direction and then making a second pass in the perpendicular direction. This two-directional overseeding promotes more even grass seed germination and distribution. If you are spreading the seed by hand, its a bit easier to eye, but dropping the seeds from different angles helps.
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