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.
- Spring grass seed germination problems Crabgrass germination has historically been one of the problems associated with spring sowing.
- This pesky weed thrives in areas with insufficient turf coverage and disturbed soil.
- Thankfully, newer crabgrass control products can assist us in overcoming this issue.
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.
What is the best grass seed in New Hampshire?
What Is The Best Grass Seed For Lawns In New Hampshire? You have driven by this lawn a hundred times without noticing it until it turns golden brown in the winter. Consequently, it stands out like a sore thumb. It is not uncommon for us to receive a call from a new homeowner in the spring asking, “Is my lawn dead?” What has become of this lawn? There are no issues with the lawn.
- This grass is Zoysia.
- Most likely, the previous homeowner had difficulty keeping their lawn green during the hot summer months, so they purchased “drought-tolerant” grass seed from a home improvement store or big-box retailer.
- They assumed it would solve the problem without knowing what type of grass seed it contained.
Zoysia grass retains its lush green color throughout the summer with minimal watering. It is, however, a southern grass. It is cultivated in southern North Carolina regions. Zoysia grass is not a grass that can withstand the harsh New Hampshire winters.
- National warehouse stores carry well-known brands such as Scotts and Pennington, but these renowned grass seed distributors provide seed blends for all climates.
- Typically, the best grass seed for New Hampshire lawns is a mixture of perennial rye, bluegrass, and fescue.
- Perennial Rye is a fine-bladed grass that can withstand both heat and cold.
Bluegrass is a dense-bladed grass with a sod-like appearance that stops growing when temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Fescue grasses thrive in the shade and tend to form clumps. A good grass seed mixture performs well in both cool and warm seasons, as well as in sun and shade.
- Having a variety of resilient grasses reduces the likelihood of a fungus destroying the entire lawn.
- It is not always sufficient to purchase a specific variety of grass seed to restore a lawn that has died during the summer.
- The original lawn may not have been seeded with enough topsoil, or the house lot may have been filled with sand.
Often, abundant crabgrass growth is a sign of excessive sand beneath. Installing a lawn irrigation system, or calibrating the existing system, should allow your grass to remain green throughout the entire summer. In some instances, it may be beneficial to remove the existing lawn and replace it with 3 to 4 inches of high-quality organic topsoil.
