When To Plant Grass Seed In Missouri Spring?

When To Plant Grass Seed In Missouri Spring
Spring Grass Seeding Could Cover Vacant Areas – Return to Lawn Agent Articles Typically, spring is not the ideal time to overseed a cool-season bluegrass or fescue lawn due to the shorter establishment period and increased weed problems. Spring could be a viable option, however, if executed correctly and maintained with care.

Best time to seed grass in the spring The optimal time to sow seeds in the spring is between mid-March and early April. 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 necessary seed-to-soil contact for germination.

Typically, simply scattering the seed on the ground results in a poor stand and a waste of time 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 cooler and more cloudy, and rainy days are likely to reduce the watering needs that are typically observed during September’s hot days.
  • Timing of grass germination for spring sowing Depending on the temperatures, the length of time required for grass seed to germinate will vary.

Expect emergence to take at least two to three weeks, if not longer. Once the seed has germinated, reduce watering frequency to as needed. This means watering the seedling grass when it exhibits signs of stress, such as wilting or a bluish cast. Spring-seeded grass has a shallow root system.

My recommendation is to not attempt spring seeding unless you are committed to summer watering. Without regular summer applications, 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 need a bit more fertilizer to sprout and grow.

At the time of sowing, apply a starter fertilizer. Four weeks after germination, apply a second application of fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, such as 30-0-0, and, if possible, find a formulation with a percentage of slow release nutrients. This helps to spread out the feeding and reduces summer stress by limiting the nitrogen application.

  1. Spring grass seed germination problems Crabgrass germination has historically been one of the problems associated with spring sowing.
  2. This pesky weed thrives in areas with insufficient turf coverage and disturbed soil.
  3. Thankfully, newer crabgrass control products can assist us in overcoming this issue.
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The active ingredient Dithiopyr is recommended for spring seeding because it can be applied later in the season and still provide effective control. This product is effective both as a pre-emergent and on crabgrass seedlings that have already germinated.

In the majority of seasons, it can be applied between the beginning and middle of May and still provide excellent season-long control. In fact, some product labels indicate that it can be applied 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 knowing the proper steps.

When should grass seed be planted in Missouri?

You may want to consider overseeding your lawn if it has bare spots or has been looking quite brown. In Missouri, the best time to overseed your lawn is between August and October, when temperatures are optimal for cool-season grasses. There will be less weed growth in the fall, and the soil will be sufficiently moist for proper seed germination.

What is the most effective grass seed for Missouri?

Selecting the Appropriate Turfgrass Seed and Planting It at the Appropriate Time – The variety of turfgrass seed options available at a home improvement store can be overwhelming. However, if you are familiar with your growing environment and know which turfgrass species is best suited for Missouri, the elimination process can be relatively simple.

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Cool-season turfgrasses are the only lawn grasses that are typically available for sowing. The majority of warm-season grasses, such as zoysiagrass, will require sodding or sprigging, as discussed in the following section. Several “easy” or “as seen on television” seed products have been introduced to the market in recent years.

These products are marketed nationally and may result in the use of turfgrass species unsuitable for Missouri’s harsh climate. Pay close attention to the state-mandated label on the back of each seed bag, which specifies the variety, turfgrass species (or type), and quantity of seed it contains.

If the variety is “not stated” or “NS,” be wary, as this seed is frequently of inferior quality, may come from a variety of sources, and has not been adequately tested. Second, use a turfgrass species adapted to the climate of Missouri and not that of climates further north. A mixture of red fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass might work in Massachusetts, but it would struggle to survive the summer in Missouri.

For cool-season lawns, turf-type tall fescue or a mixture with a very high proportion of this species should be utilized. Check the percentage of inert material in the bag as a final step. This could be mulch, fertilizer, or any other substance that can enhance germination and establishment.

  1. However, the inert material is not seed and will affect the amount of yard space that can be adequately covered by the bag.
  2. One bag of one of these modern products may cost $30 and cover only 250 square feet.
  3. For seeding a new lawn, a 50-pound bag of an improved tall fescue blend may cost $80 and cover 7,000 square feet.

To seed the equivalent of 7,000 square feet with the new product would cost approximately $1,000. A more cost-effective solution would involve adequately preparing the seedbed (which should be done regardless), irrigating properly, and applying fertilizer separately.

In Missouri, tall fescue is by far the most suitable and popular species for lawns. Other cool-season species are more susceptible to heat, drought, diseases, and insect damage than turf-type tall fescue cultivars. Tall fescue is tolerant of environments with moderate shade. Hard, sheep, creeping red, or Chewing’s fescue may also be suitable for use in shaded areas as part of a mixture.

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These species, on the other hand, have narrower leaf blades, are less tolerant of heat and drought, and will require more frequent irrigation during the dry summer months in order to survive. In addition to Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, other grasses commonly sold in Missouri are Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.

Entucky bluegrass is superior to tall fescue because it spreads via rhizomes and recovers from damage more quickly (be aware that some rhizomatous tall fescues are becoming available). Because of this, it is widely utilized on sports fields. However, it is more susceptible to diseases, heat, and drought stress than tall fescue, requires more watering and maintenance, and may be suitable only for northern Missouri.

A seed mixture with a small proportion of Kentucky bluegrass and a predominance of tall fescue can be effective. Permanent ryegrass is the fastest grass to germinate ( 7 days after sowing) and can provide immediate groundcover. It is also the most sensitive to environmental stresses and cannot survive a typical Missouri summer without intensive management.

  • Annual ryegrass is used as a cover crop in Missouri, but it is unsuitable for use as a turfgrass.
  • The timing of your lawn’s seeding is just as important as your choice of turfgrass.
  • Seeding a lawn in May, or even April, is frequently futile.
  • The summer stress period is approaching, and young spring seedlings will soon be exposed to an environment filled with hyenas.

Mid-September fall sowing permits seedlings to mature into lions able to withstand summer heat, drought, and disease over the course of the fall and subsequent spring. Therefore, purchase (hopefully discounted) cool-season turfgrass seed and store it in a cool, dry location until the summer is over and the fall is a better time to plant it.

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