Spring Grass Seeding May Fill In Bare Areas – Return to Lawn Agent Articles Spring is often not the best time to overseed a cool season bluegrass or fescue lawn because to the shorter establishment period before summer and the increased weed problems.
- Spring could be a viable option, however, if executed correctly and maintained with care.
- Mid-March to early April is the optimal period to try spring grass sowing.
- Similar to fall planting, the soil must be prepared before planting.
- The suggested method is vertical slicing.
- A verticut is a soil-slicing tool that creates the essential seed-to-soil contact for germination.
Typically, just sprinkling the seed on the ground results in a poor stand and a waste of labor and resources. A garden rake can be used to scuff up very small areas. After preparing the soil, seed can be broadcast. The fun of overseeding then begins, as the soil must be kept moist during germination and early establishment.
This necessitates light, frequent water applications based on weather conditions. The good news is that spring temperatures are colder and more cloudy, and rainy days are anticipated to lessen the watering needs that are generally observed during September’s scorching days. Spring grass seeding germination times The length of time it will take for grass seed to germinate will depend on the temperature.
Expect emergence to take at least two to three weeks, if not longer. Once the seed has germinated, reduce watering frequency to as needed. That instance, water the young grass when it exhibits indications of stress, such as wilting or a bluish hue. Care following the germination of spring grass seed Spring-seeded turf has a relatively limited root system.
My advise is to not attempt spring sowing unless you are dedicated to summer irrigation. Without frequent summer treatments, the spring grass is likely to die during the dog days of summer, leaving you back at square one and out of pocket. Additionally, spring-seeded grass will require a bit more fertilizer to sprout and develop.
At the time of sowing, add a beginning fertilizer. Four weeks after germination, apply a second application of fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, such as 30-0-0, and, if feasible, locate a formulation with a proportion of slow release nutrients.
- This helps to spread out the feeding and decreases summer stress by limiting the nitrogen delivery.
- Historically, high crabgrass germination has been one of the concerns associated with spring grass seed germination.
- This annoying plant thrives in locations with little lawn coverage and disturbed soil.
Thankfully, improved crabgrass control solutions can assist us in overcoming this issue. The chemical component Dithiopyr is suggested for spring planting since it may be administered later in the season and still offer effective control. This treatment is effective both as a pre-emergent and on crabgrass seedlings that have already germinated.
- In the majority of seasons, it may be applied between the beginning and middle of May and still give good season-long management.
- In fact, some product labels state that it can be administered as early as two weeks after germination, or when the new grass is two inches tall.
- January and February is the time to decide whether to sow spring seeds or wait until the fall and hope for a summer miracle.
Planning will lead to success regardless of your choice, as will learning the appropriate actions.
Can spring overseeding be performed?
Seeding Your Lawn This Spring?…Watch This First!!! | Spring Lawn Care Tips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Overseeding Why Do I Need to Overseed My Lawn? Overseeding will fill in barren areas, increase the lawn’s density, and improve its color. By overseeding younger species of turfgrass into an older lawn, its resistance to insects, disease, drought, and heavy foot traffic can be enhanced.
When Should I Replant My Lawn? There are two optimal seasons for overseeding a lawn: fall and spring. Autumn is the finest option. Because the earth is still warm, the seed will germinate more quickly. Additionally, weed growth declines in the fall, so your new grass will not have to fight for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Spring overseeding is the next-best choice. The weather should still be mild enough for the seeds to germinate, but make careful to get the seed in the ground and well-established before the onset of harsher summer temperatures and the possibility of summer dryness.
- Which Plant Should I Utilize? If necessary, we recommend paying a little more for a nice, high-quality seed that will produce exceptional results.
- Black Beauty TM Original Grass Seed is the original Jonathan Green grass seed blend used by sod farmers throughout the United States.
- It generates a naturally darker-green grass with improved disease resistance and drought tolerance due to a waxy leaf layer that retains moisture and protects the plant from the effects of heat, cold, wind, and disease.
Our mixture thrives on sandy and clayey soils, as well as partial or direct sunlight. How Should the Soil Be Prepared? Before sowing seeds, the soil must have the optimum pH and be aerated and loosened to support healthy root development. Before overseeding, you may apply two excellent solutions from Jonathan Green to help prepare the soil for fresh grass seed.
MAG-I-CAL ® is designed to instantly adjust the pH of your soil to the optimal range of 6.2 to 7.0. Use MAG-I-CAL® for acidic lawns when the pH falls below 6.2. For pH levels greater than 7, use MAG-I-CAL Plus® for alkaline lawns. Now it is necessary to loosen and aerate the soil. This is possible with Love Your Soil®, an unique soil treatment that stimulates the soil’s bacteria.
Once active, the microorganisms facilitate nutrient absorption by grass roots, resulting in stronger, more robust grass.
Should a lawn be aerated before seeding?
The Advantages of Aeration for Your Lawn – Your commercial property’s lawn need water, oxygen, and nutrients to exist and thrive, just like you do. However, after months of foot activity, tool usage, and thatch buildup, these essentials will have a difficult time reaching the turf’s roots.
- And when you restrict or eliminate the turf’s nutrients, you will be left with dark, uneven grass that will not attract visitors.
- So, to break up the soil compaction that develops over time and maintain the health of your grass, have a professional landscaping service aerate it annually.
- Aeration of a lawn entails perforating the soil with tiny holes to improve nutrient uptake by the roots.
The optimal time to aerate your lawn is in the fall, prior to fertilizing and overseeding. In dry circumstances, aerating your lawn can promote weed development and increase water evaporation, therefore straining your turf. Level Green Landscaping use an open-tine coring aerator with a 38- to 58-inch diameter core or a five-point disc with 4-inch piercing holes.
Depending on the current soil conditions, the aeration spikes should enter the ground at least 1.5 inches deep. After aerating the grass, activate your watering system. Aeration will assist guarantee that your soil is prepared to take all of the nutrients and seeds added through topdressing and overseeding.
Therefore, aeration is required prior to overseeding. 
