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When can you plant grass seed in the spring


Spring Grass Seeding May Fill In Bare Areas

Spring Grass Seeding May Fill In Bare Areas

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Normally, spring is not considered the ideal time to overseed a cool season bluegrass or fescue lawn because of the shorter establishment period before summer and the increased issues with weeds. However, if done properly and with attention to maintenance, spring might be a viable option.

Best time to attempt spring grass seeding
The best time to seed in the spring is mid-March through early April. Like fall seeding, the soil must first be prepared. The recommended method is verticutting. A verticut slices grooves in the soil that allows for the necessary seed and soil contact for germination. Simply scattering the seed on the ground usually results in a poor stand and a waste of time and money. Very small patches can be roughed up with a garden rake.

Once the soil is prepared the seed can be broadcast. Then the fun of overseeding begins as the soil surface must be kept moist through germination and into early establishment. This means light, frequent water applications applied as needed, based on weather patterns. The good news is that in the spring temperatures are cooler and more overcast, and rainy days are likely to reduce the watering demands typically found during hot September days.

Grass germination times for spring seeding
The length of time it will take for the grass seed to germinate will depend on the temperatures. Expect at least two to three weeks, or more, for emergence. Once the seed is up, reduce the frequency of watering to as needed. By that I mean, water when the seedling grass shows signs of stress, such as wilting or turning a bluish cast.

Care after spring grass seed germinates
Spring seeded turf has a very limited root system. My recommendation is not to even attempt spring seeding unless you are committed to watering during the summer. Without regular summer applications the spring grass is likely to die in the dog days of summer, which means you are right back where you started and out your time and money.

Spring seeded turf will also need a little more fertilizer to get it up and growing. At seeding apply a starter type fertilizer. Apply a second application about four weeks after germination using a high nitrogen source of fertilizer such as 30-0-0, and, if possible, find a formulation that contains a percentage of slow release nutrients. This helps spread out the feeding and reduces summer stress by not being under such a lush application of nitrogen.

Problems with spring grass seed germination
One of the historic problems with spring seeding has been excessive crabgrass germination. Thin turf areas and disturbing the soil results in a bumper crop of this pesky weed. Fortunately newer crabgrass control products can help us overcome this problem. The product Dithiopyr (active ingredient) is recommended for spring seeding as it can be applied later into the season and still provide good control.

This product actually works as a pre-emergent and on seedling crabgrass which has already germinated. In most seasons it can be applied in early to mid-May and still provide excellent season long control. In fact, some labels on the product indicate it can be applied as soon as two weeks after germination, or when the new grass is 2 inches tall.

January and February is the time to decide whether to seed this spring or just wait until fall and hope for a summer miracle. No matter what you decide, planning will lead to success as well as knowing the proper steps.

How to Plant Grass Seed

Planting grass seed is an economical and satisfying way to expand the green space around your home or improve your existing lawn. In order to enjoy successful grass establishment and all the benefits seeding offers, follow these eight steps to grow a lush, inviting green lawn:

  1. Choose the Right Time of Year
  2. Prepare the Site
  3. Prepare the Soil
  4. Choose the Best Seed
  5. Plant the Seed
  6. Water Appropriately
  7. Monitor Seed Establishment
  8. Mow and Maintain

The time of year you plant grass seed has a direct effect on its success. Proper timing helps ensure your grass seed will germinate properly, grow quickly and remain healthy while new seedlings become established.

The best time to plant grass seed varies according to your grass growing region and the type of grass you grow. Lawns across the northern tier of the United States typically consist of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue or perennial ryegrass. Planting during cool weather in fall and spring coincides with the most active growth periods for these grass types.

In Massachusetts, for example, early fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed.1 At this time, the ground is still warm enough to aid germination, but the days are cool and sometimes rainy. This combination helps ensure newly planted seeds don't dry out. There's also sufficient daylight in early fall to allow new grass to thrive and become established before winter's arrival.

Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination. Spring sunshine and rain both contribute to strong grass growth.

For lawns across the southern half of the U.S., warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia grass, Bahiagrass and Centipede grass are the rule. These grasses are best planted during their optimal growth period, which falls in spring and early summer instead of fall. Wait to plant warm-season grasses until daytime temperatures stay near 80 F or higher and all danger of a late spring frost in your area has passed.


A healthy, attractive lawn starts with proper site preparation. Proper grading of the site prior to planting is important, as it helps ensure water drains away efficiently and allows for easy mowing. Sloping the lawn area away from buildings at a rate of 1 to 2 percent is recommended.2 Avoid creating steeper slopes, as they tend to cause lawns to dry out too quickly. Smooth the site well to avoid depressions, which can create wet spots that are hard to mow and prone to disease.

If you intend to replace the entire lawn, it's important to do a thorough job of removing the old turf. Use a sod cutter to take out the old grass at the roots. Another option for clearing the area is to spray the lawn with a non-selective herbicide, which kills both grass and broadleaf plants. If you choose to spray, follow label instructions for your product closely and avoid any contact with grass or plants you want to keep.

After the product's designated waiting period, reapply as needed to kill any remaining grass. Once you're certain that the turf you want to replace is dead, clear the dead grass from the site and make any needed adjustments to the grade to prepare for seeding.

Optimum soil conditions boost successful seed germination and support healthy turf growth. To prepare your soil for planting, do the following:

To succeed at growing a healthy lawn, it's important to buy quality grass seed that is well-suited to your climate and your growing conditions. Premium, purebred Pennington Smart Seed grasses are water-conserving, drought-resistant and developed for superior performance in home lawns.

Whether you grow warm-season or cool-season grasses depends primarily on where you live. Warm-season lawn grasses are best suited to southern climates and grow most vigorously during the warm months of the year. They typically go dormant and brown in the winter. Cool-season grasses are typically used in northern and transition zone lawns, growing best where summers are moderate and winters are cold. They remain green all year, but can go brown and dormant in heat and drought.

In many areas of the country, you can opt for a mix of seed specific to your region. Smart Seed mixes are designed for lawns in the Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania State. If you're growing lawn grass in shade, choose a grass seed product such as Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade, which is formulated especially for challenging low-light conditions. For lawns with variable shade and sun, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade provides the solution you need.

Once amendments are complete and your soil surface is smooth and prepped, broadcast the seed evenly according to your seed product's recommended seeding rates. Remember to carefully review the seed package label instructions and follow the guidelines. Misapplication of seed can lead to unsatisfactory results.

Choosing the right type of spreader for your situation helps you get the results you need. A drop spreader drops seed straight down in a path the width of your spreader as you move across your lawn. This type of spreader maneuvers well in tight spaces and is ideal for small lawns (less than 5,000 sq. ft.), which typically require more precision in where the seed lands.

A broadcast or rotary spreader comes in walk-behind and hand-held types that spread seed by fanning it out in all directions, providing more uniform coverage. These spreaders are ideal for large lawns, but they lack the precision drop spreaders provide.

Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into an existing lawn. This is done to improve your lawn's overall look and health, thicken your grass, minimize weeds, fill in bare or damaged areas, or convert to another type of lawn grass. Also, southern lawns are often overseeded with a cool-season grass to provide green color during winter months. When overseeding, broadcast the seed over the lawn, and water it in well, following the same instructions as for new lawns.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature.


Depending on the type of grass you're growing, germination may take anywhere from five to 21 days. Expect your new grass to take another four to 10 weeks to root well and become established. It will take a full season for most grasses to mature to the point where they're ready for steady foot traffic.

Once your new seedlings reach about 1 inch in height, examine the newly seeded area for any bare spots or places you may have missed. Reseed the bare areas, and repeat the process as needed until new seedlings are thick and you're satisfied with the results.

Once your grass reaches 3 inches high, it's ready to withstand mowing. Always follow best practices for mowing lawns, including the recommended mowing heights for your type of grass. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing or you can stress your grass and invite lawn disease, lawn weeds and weak growth. With fall-planted cool-season lawns, your first mowing may need to wait until the following spring.

During the first season of establishment, young grass is still tender, so avoid as much foot traffic as possible. Keep your grass growing strong with regular maintenance, including irrigation. Water as needed to supplement rainfall so your lawn receives about 1 inch of water per week under normal conditions.

Begin fertilizing cool-season lawns four to eight weeks after seed germination, but never later than November. For warm-season grasses, wait until the following spring to feed your new lawn. After initial feedings, you might need to fertilize up to four times a year, according to your soil test recommendations. Retest the soil every three to four years, and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

By choosing the best grass for your region and your lawn's conditions — and following these simple guidelines — planting grass seed is a straightforward project that will transform for your yard. Pennington is dedicated to providing you with the resources and premium products you need to grow lush, beautiful turf. You and your family and friends can enjoy all the benefits of a beautiful, natural lawn.

Total Time Required to Transform Your Lawn: 6-12 weeks, depending on the region, weather and grass type.

How hard you'll have to work on a scale of 1-4: 3 (a little work goes a long way especially during the prep phase)

Time breakdown:

Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, “Lawn Renovation and Overseeding. "

2. Ricigliano, D., "Lawn Establishment, Renovation and Overseeding," University of Maryland Extension, 2016.

3. Nathan, M. and Fresenburg, B., "Soil Testing for Lawns," University of Missouri Extension, June 2008.

4. Grande, J., "Seeding Your Lawn," Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, February 2004.

When is it better to sow the lawn: timing, soil preparation, sowing features

The emerald carpet of lawn grass has long been an attribute of a well-groomed modern garden. Grassy areas are ideal for creating children's playgrounds, filling curvilinear non-standard areas that violate the overall composition of the garden. Often, lawns are used for grassing garden areas so that the soil under the trees retains moisture longer. Of particular charm are Moorish lawns with a scattering of bright colors.

This lawn carpet does not require mowing, it changes its pattern during the season, thanks to annual and perennial flower crops that open their buds at different times. Many gardeners, in order to save money, grow different types of lawns on their own, using seeds. In order for the grass carpet to please with its beauty and well-groomed surface, it is necessary to sow in the proper time, which we will discuss in more detail in this article.

Do-it-yourself lawns: subtleties and agricultural cultivation techniques

If we talk about the timing of sowing lawns, you can see that this operation can be performed from April to October, although each season has some restrictions, especially summer.

Spring: lawn sowing dates

In spring, any kind of lawn grass can be sown in a previously prepared area, if bald spots or depressions are found, such problems are easily solved and corrected during the season by sowing the seeds again in the corrected area.

Sowing lawn grass seeds in spring should be timed to the period from mid-April to the end of May. Arranging a lawn in the spring has its positive aspects:

  1. During this period, the grass sprouts quickly, because the garden soil is still filled with moisture after the snow melts, so intensive watering is not necessary.
  2. With problematic germination, there is always time to correct the mistakes made.
  3. The annual flowers that make up the Mauritanian lawn have time to get stronger and fully bloom, while perennials and lawn grasses form strong bushes.
  4. The grass that has grown from spring has time to take root well in the soil, to get stronger, so it overwinters well.

Choose a quiet cloudy day for sowing lawn grass seeds, it is important that the snow melts completely. The surface of the site is carefully leveled, because irrigation and rain water will accumulate in the hollows and hollows, which can lead to decay of weak seedlings. Tender grass shoots quickly clog tall weeds, which not only block sunlight, but also quickly deplete the site. Before sowing the lawn, the area should be treated against the germination of weeds, as well as the timely removal of aggressive grasses.

Spring seeding of the lawn seems to be the most optimal, but it is not quite so. Sowing seeds in moist soil and their rapid germination before the onset of heat is of course pleasing, but already in May it will be necessary to carefully water the area with the sown lawn, because with the onset of heat, moisture evaporates more intensively, so there may be uneven moistening and partial attacks of grass cover.

Important! When sowing a lawn in the spring, be aware that seed consumption may increase.

Summer: can I sow the lawn or is it better to wait?

In summer, sowing a lawn is quite problematic, especially in the southern regions, where the thermometer goes off scale at around +40 C. In such conditions, the top layer of the earth, where the seeds are located, dries up quickly, which forces frequent watering.

In the summer, you can correct errors, sow the lawn on "bald" places, where for some reason the grass did not sprout or died.

If the temperature in your area is rather moderate in summer, the forecasters do not promise heavy rains, you can sow lawn grass seeds in the period from the end of June to the first half of July. You should be prepared for intensive and frequent watering of seeded lawns.

Sowing lawn grass in autumn

Have you opted for sowing lawn in autumn? Do not delay the process until frost. The best time to plant a lawn in the fall is early September. At this time, the first autumn rains have already saturated the soil with moisture, the intense heat subsided, so the young grass bushes will have time to take root well.

It is not worth delaying sowing, even planning lawn plantings for the beginning of October can be considered late.

But at a temperature of about 0 C, winter sowing of lawn mixtures can be carried out. In this case, one should not wait for seedlings to germinate in autumn, they will appear only in spring, and the winter period will serve for the natural stratification of seeds. You should not expect that the grass that appears will be an ideal green carpet - in winter, part of the seeds freezes out, so the bald spots will have to be repaired in the spring.

Important! Whatever time of year you plan to plant your lawn, the site should be prepared 1-2 months in advance.

Preparing the site for sowing the lawn

The first thing to do when preparing the site for the lawn is to remove the debris. It is necessary to uproot all dried garden plants that interfere with the arrangement of the site. All stones, debris, weeds, leaves and tops of garden plants are removed from the surface.

Particular attention should be paid to the presence of stones, concrete blocks, bricks and reinforced concrete structures immersed in the ground. When cultivating the soil with mechanisms, cutting the grass cover, such hidden objects can damage the equipment.

If the site has been abandoned before, a lot of weeds grew on it, it is worth removing the top layer of earth with sod and laying it in a heap for overdrying. It is worth getting rid of weeds drastically, it may be necessary to carry out chemical treatment of the site.

Digging

The soil in the area allocated for sowing the lawn is dug up very carefully. On one bayonet, shovels dig up areas that have already been used for growing plants. Virgin areas are dug up for 2 bayonets of a shovel, turning and loosening the soil. During digging, sand, peat, mineral fertilizers are added to the garden soil (ammonium nitrate and superphosphate are added at the rate of 40 g per 1 m2, potassium sulfate - 30 g per 1 m2).

If the site is dominated by soil with an alkaline reaction - peat should be added, with an acidic one - lime, dolomite flour or chalk are added to the ground. Compacted dense and heavy soil is corrected by adding manure or biohumus.

If groundwater is close to the surface in the area, it is worth arranging drainage.

After digging, the area is carefully leveled and harrowed, then compacted with a roller or trampled down with feet (in small areas). The compacted soil on the site is slightly loosened with a rake, after which it is left fallow for 1-2 months.

Fresh soil will invariably overgrow with weeds, which must be periodically removed to prevent insemination. If you cover the area with geotextiles, the germination of weeds will be restrained.

During the period of rest under the influence of precipitation, the earth on the site will partially settle, after 2 months it will be clearly visible where it is necessary to pour the soil.

Immediately before sowing lawn grass, the area is loosened again.

Features of sowing lawn grass mixtures

To calculate the need for seeds, use the information on the package - the manufacturer clearly indicates the required number of seeds per 1 m2, but the extreme conditions of hot summer or snowless winter are not taken into account, therefore, for spring-summer sowing, it is worth purchasing 10-15 seeds % more than the norm, for winter sowing - 25-30% more than the recommended standard.

Important! Pay attention to the purpose of the lawn, do not sow a sunny area with grass mixture for shady places, but sow grasses in the shade that prefer to grow in the sun.

Seeding can be carried out manually and with special devices. For sowing, use a seeder.

When sowing by hand, the following rules should be followed:

  1. Grass seeds are mixed with dry sand at a ratio of 1:1.
  2. First, sowing seeds is carried out along the plot, then across.
  3. The edges are sown thicker than the middle, about 2 times.
  4. After sowing, the plot is worked with a rake, then rolled with a heavy roller.
  5. Humidification of crops is carried out very carefully by sprinkling - make sure that the water jet does not wash out the seeds.

After about 1-2 weeks the grass will sprout, do not forget to water the crops.

Published: 06 Jun 2020

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When to plant lawn grass in spring

27 February

2020

Best planted lawn grass for the winter, then you will get a stronger grass cover for the next year. However, you can sow the lawn in the spring, if you do it on time and choose the right seeds. If you still have not decided whether to sow lawn grass in spring or autumn, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the features of sowing a lawn in spring. So you can decide if this method of growing is right for you.

How to choose the type of lawn for sowing in the spring

Different types of lawns are chosen for the arrangement of a summer cottage, a country house, depending on its purpose. It is often possible to combine several options to create an unusual exterior that will serve not only as a place of rest, but will also look aesthetically pleasing.

Different types of lawns are used to improve the territory, let's look at the most popular ones.

An ordinary type of lawn is suitable for landscaping a recreation area, it is quite resistant to physical stress and is not very whimsical in care. When choosing grass in this case, the following options are used: creeping wheatgrass, wheatgrass, etc.

Parterre is considered the most spectacular option. To create such a coating, special soil treatment is needed. Such a lawn is resistant to low temperatures, droughts, it quickly recovers after mowing. Therefore, the parterre is rightfully considered an elite type of lawn. However, you need to know how to take care of it. The lawn is regularly watered (this should be done in the evening, and in the heat - twice a day). It needs to be cut regularly, and the cut grass should be removed immediately.

Sports pitches are characterized by resistance to physical impacts. Meadows are most suitable for creating a beautiful lawn over a large area. They are also suitable for creating a place for children to play.

Moorish lawn is special because it uses mixtures of herbs and flowers that bloom at different times. Low-growing grasses in this case serve as a background. To keep such a lawn in an attractive form, you need to carefully look after it and systematically cut it. Its disadvantage can be called the fact that with improper care, the lawn quickly becomes unkempt. However, the flowering of its flowers will please the eye of any gardener.

Planting dates

To grow any of the above lawns on your site, you need to know when lawn grass is sown in spring.

Parterre lawn is sown in areas where there is a lot of sun, because the shade can cause thinning of the grass. Seeds are sown in dry, calm weather: they are mixed with sand 1:3 and sown manually or with a seeder. Wait until the weather is warm enough - you can sow the seeds in April.

The common type of lawn grass is best suited for a suburban area, as it does not require complex maintenance. It is enough to trim it once a week. You can sow lawn grass in spring in April, May or in the first half of summer. So the grass will have time to sprout and get stronger before wintering.

Sports turf is sown where regular high loads are expected, but it grows back quickly. Please note that if the sports turf is rarely used, the grass will not grow well and may lose its decorative effect. You can sow the lawn as soon as warm weather sets in: this may be the middle or end of April (depending on the place where it will grow).

Meadow lawn sowing terms practically do not differ from other types. It is necessary to wait until nighttime temperatures are stable and do not fall below 5-10 ° C. Depending on the region, this may be the second half of April or the beginning of May (start from what spring was like in a particular year).

Moorish consists of herbs and wildflowers. Such lawns are best placed in remote parts of the garden so that they do not get trampled. With it, you can turn an area unsuitable for other plants into a flowering meadow. In the spring, this lawn can be sown in late April or May.

It is better to plant lawn grass in the country in the spring on a quiet day without wind, after watering the planting area with water before that.

Soil preparation

If we have figured out the question of when to plant lawn grass in spring, then we need to talk about preparing the soil before sowing separately. After all, the choice of a site, its fertilizer, digging are all important aspects of growing a beautiful and healthy lawn.

So, for example, to grow a parterre lawn, you will have to work hard, because the lawn becomes completely dense in about 2-3 years. First of all, when preparing the site, you need to remove any debris, even the smallest. Weeds, pebbles, wood chips and branches - none of these should be present on the site where you are going to grow parterre lawn. Next, you need to make good drainage - it is needed so that puddles do not stagnate on the grass after heavy rain. If the area where the lawn will grow is at a slight slope, it is not necessary to equip the drainage. Such a lawn needs to be watered on time, so if possible, equip an automatic underground irrigation system.

The soil needs to be dug up on a shovel bayonet and fed. Compost or clay should be added to sandy soil, heavy soils should be diluted with river sand. Mineral fertilizers are also applied to the soil. The day before sowing, the site is rolled and watered abundantly.

Preparing the soil for other types of lawn is not much different from preparing the ground. The area where an ordinary lawn will grow is also cleared of debris and weeds (you can even treat the soil with chemicals to accurately remove the weed roots). After 3 weeks, the soil is dug up, fertilizers are applied and the site is allowed to rest for 2-3 weeks. Such preparation can be carried out not necessarily in the spring, but also before the winter. Before planting, the entire area can be fertilized with compost, then the soil is compacted.

For Mauritanian lawn, the soil is prepared, in general, as for the usual, only you need to carefully approach the issue of weed removal. Herbicides can be used to completely remove weeds. Also remember to fertilize the soil before sowing.

Soil preparation for sports and meadow lawns is not much different from the previous ones. It is important to level the site if the area has a large slope. Create a drainage system, if necessary, equip an irrigation system. Then completely remove the weeds and clear the area.

For a lawn, the fertile soil layer must be at least 10 cm in order for the grass to grow and develop properly. Also keep in mind that lawn grass is sensitive to soil acidity. During the first time after sowing, you can also cover the area with a mosquito net to protect the seeds from wind and direct sunlight. The plot, of course, is important to feed, but if the grass is overfed, the seedlings will turn yellow.

In the spring, it is important to ensure that the lawn is sufficiently watered once a week, to remove weeds that will interfere with the growth of weak grass, to cut and fertilize in a timely manner, in particular based on nitrogen and potassium.

What to do so that the seedlings are uniform in spring

After preparing the soil, you need to find out how to plant lawn grass in the spring so that the seedlings are friendly and there are no bald spots on the site. To do this, use some tips: