Seeding a Lawn

When is the best time to seed?Spring and lategrows in bunches, not by rhizomesGenerally speaking
summer are the two best times to seed your lawn.if you are seeding in a sunny area, look for a blend
Newly seeded lawns require wet, cool conditions inthat is predominately bluegrass with a smaller
order to be successful. These conditions occur in Aprilpercentage of fescue and rye grass. If you are
and May and then again in late August and earlyseeding in a shady area, use a blend with a greater
September. Of the two, late summer, early fall is betterpercentage of fescue.SeedingAdvantages1: cost,
to seed. By planting at this time the seed is able toseeding a lawn cost far less compared to using sod2:
take advantage of the wet, cool weather, lie dormantcustom seeding, by seeding you are able to use
over winter and then take advantage of more moistdifferent blends for different areas within your lawn,
cool weather in the spring. By doing this the turf grasscreating a healthier stand of turfDisadvantagestime,
will be well on its way to creating a healthy, strong rootgenerally speaking it takes 5-7 weeks for a newly
system more able to withstand the heat and drynessseeded lawn to become established, during this time it
of summer. If you seed during the summer months,is essential to keep the soil moist
your newly planted turf will have a hard timeenjoyment, during this 5-7 week period you must
establishing itself. Keeping the soil moist and cool isensure little or no foot traffic is present on your site
very difficult as well as expensive at this time of year.weeds, a newly seeded lawn is a weeds best
As the newly planted lawn struggles to survive, weedschance of establishing itself in your lawn
will quickly move in and take advantage of any areasOnce your site is prepared you are ready to seed.
that are bare or thin.Preparing your site:By startingAlthough you can seed by hand, a good broadcast
from scratch you have a unique opportunity to ensurespreader will do a better, more even application. For
everything is done correctly to minimize problems youbest results do two applications of seed. Using half of
may encounter when seeding. Grade your site toyour seed walk up and down to cover the entire site.
prevent water from moving towards your houseRepeat this process in a perpendicular pattern to your
foundation. Ensure your site is weed free before youfirst application. Your best bet for application rates is to
begin seeding. By using a non-selective herbicide youfollow the rates specified on the bag. A good rule of
ensure your site will be weed free. Any herbicide withthumb to follow is 4-5 pounds of seed per 1000
glyphosate as the main ingredient will be effective.square feet. Most spreaders will have some sort of
Ensure you follow the directions on the label beforeapplication guideline on them. Try opening the spreader
applying. By using a herbicide with glyphosate in it, youhalfway and apply at a normal walking pace. Ideally
will see results usually within 7-10 days. Theseyou want to see 2-3 seeds per square inch. Choose a
herbicides are adsorbed by the soil so there is littlesmall test area and adjust your spreader until this
movement or leaching within the soil. They also breaknumber is achieved. Once you are finished seeding the
down in approximately two weeks. After this timesite all you really have to do is keep the seed moist
period, seeding can begin. Ideally 6-10 inches of a gooduntil germination. If you prefer you can lightly rake the
loamy topsoil is required for a good stand of turf grass.seed into the soil for additional protection. By
Unfortunately this is not always the case. If your soil istop-dressing with additional topsoil (approx. 1/4 inch)
predominately clay it will be very difficult for water toyou will ensure a safe environment for the seed to
saturate this type of soil. Amend this type of site bygerminate. The most important factor, however is to
adding peat moss or a good quality screened topsoil.keep the seed MOIST. Water on a regular basis until
Once you are satisfied with the grade and compositionthe seed germinates. Generally 15-20 minutes per day
of your site, rake the area with a good quality gardenwill suffice. Water in the early morning or late evening
rake. This will break up any large clumps of soil. Yourto receive maximum benefit from your watering. Once
soil particle size should ideally be fine without beingyour lawn has germinated, let it grow to a height of
powdery. Remove any sticks or other debris from3-4 inches before giving it its first cut. Usually this is
your site. By doing this you minimize your chances forafter 4-5 weeks of growth. As stated before a newly
fairy ring to develop in later years.Which seed is theplanted lawn is an ideal environment for weeds to
right seed?When selecting a grass seed for your lawnbecome established. Even your best effort in preparing
you must take into account several factors. Howyour site does not guarantee weeds will not begin
much sun is present on your site? How much shade?popping up. Weed seed can remain dormant for many
What colour are you looking for? How much footyears waiting for an opportunity to germinate. Weed
traffic will use your lawn? Generally speaking grassseed may also be present in any topsoil you
seed comes in a blend of 3-4 types. They are usuallyincorporate into your new site. Ensure your landscaper
a blend of bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass. By usinguses screened topsoil for your best chance of not
the factors mentioned above, you will give your lawn ahaving weeds germinate this way. By mowing on a
good chance to thrive.Grass seeds most commonlyregular basis you will deter new weed growth and
used:Kentucky BluegrassAdvantages1: deep greenyour new lawn will eventually choke them out. If you
colouration2: grows by rhizomes, encouraging a thickwish to use a broad-leaf herbicide, follow all directions
stand of turf3: over-winters well4: resistant to manyon the label. Wait for at least 5 cuts before using a
diseases e.g. Red Thread5: many cultivars to chooseherbicide. This is generally 4-6 weeks after your lawn
fromDisadvantages1: slow to germinate (25-35 days)2:has become established. As your new lawn continues
does poorly in shade conditions (powdery mildew)3:to grow, monitor its progress. Over-seed and
needs regular watering and fertilizationFinetop-dress any areas that are not doing as well as the
FescueAdvantages1: does well in shady conditions2:rest of the lawn. Generally speaking a new lawn will
requires less watering and fertilization3: over-wintersbegin to look healthy, thick and vigorous within two
extremely wellDisadvantages1: susceptible to Redyears, so have a little patience. By using good cultural
Thread2: slow to germinate (16-25 days)3: does poorlypractices, mowing, watering, and fertilizing you will have
in high traffic areasPerennial Rye GrassAdvantages1:a healthy lawn that requires little herbicide to remain
germinates quickly ( 7-10 days)2: resistant toweed free.Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the
diseases3: good colourDisadvantages1: does notprovince of Alberta, Canada. He has over 15 years
over-winter well2: does poorly in shade conditions3:experience in the lawn care industry.