If done too early, some seed will germinate late in the season and those immature seedlings often won’t survive the winter. To get the most from your grass seed and your seeding efforts, time your planting to build on tall fescue's strengths and meet its needs. But proper timing has an important impact on results. Larger areas of sparse turfgrass can be prepared by 'lightly' going over the surface with a power rake or vertical mower available from most rental agencies. Position the sprinkler over the portion of overfertilized lawn. Grass growth occurs in seasonal cycles, which vary according to the grass types common to different regions. Growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators. When soil test results show your lawn's soil pH is below levels needed for optimal grass health, liming in accordance with recommendations restores proper pH balance, increases nutrient availability and helps keep lawns green. Daily watering is helpful until the grass seed germinates. Time spent on proper measurements prevents wasted product, wasted money and poor results. Too much thatch chokes the lawn Thatch is a tightly woven layer of partially decomposed grass roots and stems that can develop over several years in the zone between the crown of the grass ⦠Itâs also important to know how much seed you need, and thatâs why Loweâs has a Grass Seed ⦠Don't be too hasty to get in and start tearing things up; you just may be destroying all of the good work done the previous fall. I had this problem in a few spots where a storm washed a bunch of seed together. The success your dormant seeding will depend on the winter conditions. The seed was put down in April and the lawn quickly grew to become thick and lush. Always read and follow herbicide and fertilizer labels, especially the instructions for use on newly seeded lawns and your grass type. Learn what's actually inside the seed bags you or your lawn professional buy. If you are certain the dormant seeding did not succeed, the area can always be overseeded the following spring. This area will need to ⦠Once the soil is loosened, spread grass seed at the recommended rate and lightly incorporate into the existing soil by the use of a hand rake. If more than half of your lawn is screaming for help, start from scratch. An assessment can be made at this time if additional overseeding needs to be done. When you're on a quest for the perfect lawn, you're bound to encounter challenges. Then, properly ⦠When it comes to depressions in the soil, ⦠Simply insert a long screw driver into the ground. Only then can you calculate your actual lawn area and the amount of seed you need. Yet, there remains one activity that can still be done to help repair or thicken the lawn for next year. Loosen the soil surface so the seed can easily be incorporated into the surface quarter-inch or so of loose soil. A few days after the grass begins to sprout, you can reduce watering frequency to twice per day, but apply more water each time. This is quite effective in achieving even layers of soil. I, on the other hand, drew on my vast ⦠That task is known as dormant seeding. More commonly this is a practice done by a lawn care professional. This avoids having to prepare the soil when it is still wet and cold in the spring and can result in a head start of several weeks in getting the lawn established. My new neighbors, unacquainted with the principles of soil science, simply spread grass seed over the sand, applied dry fertilizer and water, and hoped for the best. After planting, reserve broad-spectrum weed treatments until new lawns have been mowed at least two to three times; for fall-planted seed, that usually means spring. Consider fertilizing these areas in May to encourage establishment. Germination cannot successfully occur if the seed does not have soil contact. After a couple mows when the grass was in pretty good, I took some cores out of the area with a piece of 1/2" pipe and a hammer. The seed is best protected when we receive snowfall that will cover and protect those areas. Most grass seeds require a starter fertilizer to boost initial growth, but the application must be done carefully because the seeds will easily suffer from too much or too little fertilizer. Attach a sprinkler head to a garden hose. Once the grass seed has been planted, start watering the lawn and keep the soil moist for several weeks. Get it right and every bit of seed and labor work in your favor. Using these products too close to newly planted seed — in timing or proximity — stops grass seed in its tracks, along with the weeds. All non-lawn areas must then be deducted. When seedlings are about an inch tall, begin watering once per day, ⦠It is not as effective where lawns are thick and dense because good seed-to-soil contact is necessary for the grass seeds to germinate and grow next spring. Yes, it is possible to use too much seed when overseeding your lawn. When it comes to your lawn aspirations, you can bypass common grass seed mistakes and head straight for success. Timing your seed projects to coincide with growing cycles greatly improves your rate of success. Using the proper amount of seed for your project influences success, whether you're starting from scratch or overseeding an existing lawn. You should be able to see germinated seedlings by late April or early May in most years. Getting your seeding rates right requires knowing the correct size of the area you need to cover. If you have any questions when it comes to working out how much grass seed ⦠Mow the existing lawn slightly lower than normal, down to about 2 inches. 2020 Water your lawn between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., whenever possible. Cheaper price tags can mean less seed versus fillers, old seeds past their prime, more weed seeds and lower germination rates. Water thoroughly, but not too much Water the area thoroughly and leave it until next spring. You may think that by November, there are no more lawn care chores to be done. There are some rental businesses that have such units available. Dig or till the area. As a general rule, avoid pre-emergent weed treatments at least 10 to 12 weeks before seeding â or longer for some products. This is when cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues peak in growth, and conditions enhance fast germination and establishment. This includes the footprints of your house, garage and outbuildings, as well as walkways and the driveway. In the area where you want to grow the grass, use a shovel or tiller to turn over ⦠You can do your part to manage water usage, and keep your lawn. For average lawn conditions, mixes containing some Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and small amounts of perennial ryegrass can be sown at about three to four pounds per 1,000 square feet. However, do allow enough time for the seeds to come up. Pennington is committed to helping you grow the finest lawn possible and enjoy all the benefits that a beautiful, healthy lawn holds. And if you have an odd-shaped lawn or you prefer to calculate things for yourself, I hope my formulas and processes helped. While just barely damp soil is okay, it is important that the area does not become soggy and saturated with water. However, of the young seedlings that are germinating, it is important to not tear them out or destroy them by excessive traffic on the dormant seeded area. Rake up the grass plant debris that was brought to the surface from this process so that it will not interfere with sowing the grass seed. Choose a Grass Seed. There is no advantage gained when ⦠Tip When seeding grass , the order in which you add the fertilizer and seeds doesn't matter, but adding fertilizer at the time you seed ⦠This happens more often with quick ⦠To revitalize your grass, you may consider aerating and overseeding, or creating holes in your soil to plant fresh seedlings. Normal lawn care can naturally cause soil pH to drop lower over time, and lime applications benefit lawns that need pH raised. The light disturbance of the dormant seeded area during an overseeding process should not be a significant problem for the seedlings that have germinated. Put down your seed while the ground is not frozen, but is still cold enough so germination of the grass seed will not occur until next spring. Here is my method for an existing lawn: Buy the grass seed, shade or sunny, that you ⦠Another machine known as a slit seeder could also be used. How to Repair a Lawn From Too Much Fertilizer. ⦠Use watering ⦠At this time of year, cool temperatures and short days will help keep the areas moist far longer than in summer. Other than the time of year for dormant seeding, the actual process of preparing the area to be seeded is virtually identical to establishing grass from seed at other times of the year. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Usually this is sometime from late October to mid-November depending on your location within the state. When paired with innovations such as water-conserving Pennington Smart Seed, proper timing leads to other advantages, including less input of resources, less maintenance and better results. Watering new grass seed puts you at risk for a mess: seed washed away or floated into clumps and bare spots; seed sticking to muddy shoes when you move the sprinkler; soft sinking soil ⦠At this time of year, cool temperatures and short days will help keep ⦠When you apply too much grass seed, each individual seed does not have the same access to the soil; some piled on top of other seeds may not touch the soil at all. Planting grass varieties appropriate to your growing region gives your seed a natural advantage. The idea is that the seed will remain "dormant" due to the cold soil conditions, but begin to germinate as soon as the soils start to warm in the spring. Even with similar seed types, all grass seed isn't equal. Best Conditions for Tall Fescue Seed As a cool-season grass, ⦠In fact, the excess seeds may also impede seedling growth of the seeds ⦠Choosing appropriate grass varieties is the first step in ensuring ⦠A beautiful lawn can improve your home's value, benefit the environment and enhance your family's quality of life. Aeration loosens up the top level of soil without a lot of invasive digging that ⦠Planting the wrong type of seed. In both cases, the eventual outcome is choked and starved grass roots. One of the most common problems grass professionals see is when homeowners misjudge their actual lawn areas and over-apply grass seed or other products, such as fertilizers and herbicides. Putting too much grass seed on a lawn is like throwing money at a problem. Water the area thoroughly and leave it until next spring. For a lawn where only the top layer of soil has gotten compacted, the simplest option may be to aerate your lawn. Make the most of your investment of time, money and grass seed, and enjoy the exceptional results. But in some cases, soil pH may already be high. For most of the country, fall is the best time to plant grass seed. Many homeowners think lime is a lawn care necessity, but that doesn't hold true across the board. Even if you're a first-time lawn grower, you can seed right and avoid these common mistakes: Choosing appropriate grass varieties is the first step in ensuring your lawn performs up to your aspirations. Post-emergent weed treatments aimed at existing broadleaf weeds can also injure immature grass seedlings. Instead, wait for the lawn to dry, and check to make sure thereâs no rain in the immediate forecast when you plan to seed. "Open" winters with extended warm periods followed by extremely cold periods can negatively affect spring germination of dormant seeded lawns. Small areas of bare soil or even a thin turfgrass stand can easily be prepared using a hand rake. Then, you should remove about 1 inch of soil from the affected area. It can be tempting to plant seed as soon as the need arises. This will allow seed applied over the top to reach the soil. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Don't overdo or cut corners. Your local county extension office can help with testing kits and lab referrals. Quality grass seed labels include guidance on optimal seeding rates to maximize your results. In fact, when done correctly, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of your turf. Turf ⦠This method generally works best when the newly seeded areas are covered with several inches of snow soon after seeding that remains in place over the entire winter period. Kentucky bluegrass and Bermudagrass, for example, differ significantly in climate and maintenance requirements. You can put as much as you want. Bob Mugaas, retired Extension educator and Sam Bauer, Extension educator. Water conservation and a healthy, beautiful lawn aren't mutually exclusive. Spray your existing grass with a non-selective herbicide, which will kill all vegetation it touches. When choosing the seed to use, be sure to select seed mixes that are well adapted to both your site conditions and the amount of maintenance you expect to provide during the growing season. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Which type of grass seed you choose depends on your existing grass type. If the newly seeded areas appear to be a little thin, you shouldn't necessarily feel your fall efforts were a failure, as it is quite common to have to do a little additional reseeding in the spring. Creating a lush, vibrant lawn takes commitment, but the rewards of a successful grass seed project are worth the time and resources you invest. 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