Planting grass seed while in the fall is the ideal time for you to plant cool-season grasses or over-seed warm-season grass with perennial rye grass. If north of the transitional zone of the U.S., the best time to plant grass seed will be between August 25th and October 5th. If located in the warmer south and over-seeding, grass seed is best established when planted between September 20th and October 25th.
Soil quality and preparation are very important measures in planting a fresh lawn. Begin by taking off the existing vegetation. If planting a new lawn and if there's a lot of weeds, utilize a non-selective herbicide like Round-Up. If over-seeding, you obviously do not want to eliminate your bottom grass using a herbicide application but what to do is mow down your warm-season grass as low as you possibly can. Doing this along with verti-cutting and power raking, will cut down thatch and enhance good seed contact to your soil.
For that new lawn, you then want to level the soil as best as possible. The new soil should settle naturally, or you can quicken the process by adding more water. Then rake the soil so it has small groves in it.
For both a new lawn and over-seeding, apply 1/2 of grass seed one way on the soil using a spreader. Then put the other 1/2 of your seed in the other direction. Lightly rake the seed in after which you can roll the soil lightly with a roller. To produce good seed to soil contact and good soil moisture, top dress the grass seed using a thin layer of mulch or compost. This is not necessary but will improve grass seed germination, particularly if under pressure from warm weather or drying winds blowing over the soil surface. Water grass seed thoroughly for that initial few weeks but merely enough to help keep soil moist but not soaking wet all the time. Short water intervals of 3 to 5 minutes 3 times each and every day seems to work pretty well.
If sod is installed, repeat exactly the same steps from above and assure the soil is firm enough that the grass sod won't sink in after it's walked on. After sod is installed, roll it by using a roller in 2 directions and water it twice daily until it roots. When grass sod cannot be grabbed by grasping it in your hand, it's rooted.
Soil quality and preparation are very important measures in planting a fresh lawn. Begin by taking off the existing vegetation. If planting a new lawn and if there's a lot of weeds, utilize a non-selective herbicide like Round-Up. If over-seeding, you obviously do not want to eliminate your bottom grass using a herbicide application but what to do is mow down your warm-season grass as low as you possibly can. Doing this along with verti-cutting and power raking, will cut down thatch and enhance good seed contact to your soil.
For that new lawn, you then want to level the soil as best as possible. The new soil should settle naturally, or you can quicken the process by adding more water. Then rake the soil so it has small groves in it.
For both a new lawn and over-seeding, apply 1/2 of grass seed one way on the soil using a spreader. Then put the other 1/2 of your seed in the other direction. Lightly rake the seed in after which you can roll the soil lightly with a roller. To produce good seed to soil contact and good soil moisture, top dress the grass seed using a thin layer of mulch or compost. This is not necessary but will improve grass seed germination, particularly if under pressure from warm weather or drying winds blowing over the soil surface. Water grass seed thoroughly for that initial few weeks but merely enough to help keep soil moist but not soaking wet all the time. Short water intervals of 3 to 5 minutes 3 times each and every day seems to work pretty well.
If sod is installed, repeat exactly the same steps from above and assure the soil is firm enough that the grass sod won't sink in after it's walked on. After sod is installed, roll it by using a roller in 2 directions and water it twice daily until it roots. When grass sod cannot be grabbed by grasping it in your hand, it's rooted.
About the Author:
I'm an agronomist and turf grass specialist dedicated to teaching all Americans about planting grass seed specific to your home state, visit my website dedicated to teaching all Americans how to plant grass at the Planting Grass Seed Center!
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