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