Establishing New Grass Seed

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Use the best quality grass seed available when you seed a new lawn or reseed an existing lawn.  You need healthy turf grass in order to avoid extra steps in the future due to poor quality grass seed.  The best time in all the year to establish turf grass from seed is the time between mid-August and late September.  This is true for many reasons.  During this time grass seed germinates more quickly because the soil temperature is warm, which allows for more rapid penetration of water through the seed hull that starts the process of germination.  Also at this time of the year the annual crop of weeds is much less aggressive as the day length shortens.  Moisture from morning dew keeps the seed bed moist and the less intense sunrays slow the rate of evaporation.

The steps to be taken in seeding Jonathan Green grass seed are quite simple and yet are often not followed.  The first thing to keep in mind is that in order to achieve successful seed germination and establishment the seed must be placed in firm contact with loosened soil.  This is true whether over-seeding existing turf areas or establishing a new lawn from seed.  The main reason that homeowners fail to establish turf from seed is the lack of seed to soil contact.  So gently rake the seed into the surface of loosened soil.  In renovating large areas you may want to rent a thatching machine.  Of course, in order to establish a seedbed for a new lawn you will want to rent a roto-tiller to loosen the top four inches of the soil. 

After the seedbed is established rake the soil to insure a level surface that will drain away from the house.  Apply Jonathan Green New Seeding Fertilizer prior to seeding.  This fertilizer is ideal for new seedings because it contains more phosphorus and potash than nitrogen which is desirable.  Please follow directions concerting coverage.  Finally, the addition of MAG-I-CAL, a pelletized calcium fertilizer, in this part of the United States is very desirable.  Just remember your grass lives on a pH of approximately 6.5 for optimum growth.  .  Rake the fertilizer and MAG-I-CAL into the top inch of the soil.

You are now ready to seed.  It is a good idea if seeding with a spreader to split the application in half and seed at right angles to the first pass with the spreader.  This will help to insure a uniformed dispersion of the grass seed.  Now, and most importantly, rake the seed lightly into the top quarter inch of the soil.  You are really just tipping it under the soil, not planting it deeply.

After the seed is planted water the seedbed.  This will print the soil around the seed.  It may be desirable, especially on a sloped site, to apply Jonathan Green’s Green-Mulch Seed Establishment Mulch to help prevent surface erosion.  Keep the seedbed moist for several weeks while the grass plants are establishing.

The best watering of a newly seeded lawn is to water twice a day for 10 minutes in the freshly seeded areas.  This will keep the seed and soil moist and prevent the seed from drying out.  Once the grass becomes established then you can resume normal watering every other day.

Along with planting your new seed some weed seed might also germinate.  To control the weeds you will want to wait approximately 4 to 6 weeks before applying any weed control as this can harm new seedlings.  A good rule of thumb is mowing your new grass 3 to 4 times before applying any weed controls.

Do not apply grass seed if you have applied any broadleaf weed controls for 4 weeks or you may damage the young seedlings.  If you have applied any pre-emergence crabgrass controls like Crabgrass Preventer plus Green-Up or Organic Weed Control delays seeding for up to 3 to 4 months.  Enjoy your new lawn!

Back