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When to Plant Grass Seed in North Dakota

Seeding
4 min read

When to plant grass seed in North Dakota depends on the weather, but you can typically expect to plant cool season grass seed in early fall to take advantage of the best temperatures for seed germination.

Jonathan Green has been helping customers grow beautiful lawns since 1881. We are a major supplier of grass seed, organics, and turf products to both the independent retailer and professional lawn care markets and breed genetically superior turf grasses, such as those found in our Black Beauty grass seed mixtures in our own grass seed breeding program in Oregon. Our genetically superior grass seed and soil food products will transform your lawn and help it to thrive.

When to Plant Grass Seed

Although many people plant grass seed in spring, the early fall – ideally from mid-August to mid-September – is a better season to plant grass seed in North Dakota because the ground is still warm (55° to 65°F), and the seed will germinate quickly. Also, weeds are less of a problem in lawns sown in fall.

How to Plant Grass Seed

The best way to plant grass seed is to start with the right products and follow these six simple steps from the experts at Jonathan Green:

  1. Choose Jonathan Green Black Beauty® grass seed mixtures for a beautiful, dark-green lawn with outstanding drought, disease and insect resistance. This seed is specially formulated to have a waxy coating on the blades, similar to that of an apple, which makes the blades hold in moisture and resist drought and diseases. With roots that grow up to four feet deep – far deeper than other grass seed varieties – you won’t be disappointed!
  2. Next, check the soil’s pH level. (You can purchase a pH tester from your local garden supply store.) If the pH falls below 6.2, use Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil to quickly raise the pH to the ideal range of between 6.2 and 7.0. If the pH is above 7.0, use Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Alkaline & Hard Soil to quickly lower the pH. MAG-I-CAL® can be applied on the same day you seed.
  3. Once the pH of the soil is balanced, the soil needs to be loosened and aerated to promote root growth and promote stronger, heartier grass. This can be done with Love Your Soil®. This innovative soil treatment activates the microbes in the soil and allows for nutrients to be easily absorbed by the grass roots. Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed and the MAG-I-CAL®.
  4. Fertilize before seeding with a starter fertilizer like Jonathan Green Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding, and lightly rake the surface of the soil. This high-phosphorus formula is specially formulated for seeding and sodding. It helps to build a vigorous root system and gets new grass plantings off to a fast start for a thicker, greener lawn.
  5. Spread the Black Beauty®seed evenly by hand in small areas, and use a lawn spreader for large areas. Avoid applying seeds too heavily or the seedlings will have to compete for space and nutrients, making the grass weak and thin in those areas.
  6. Lastly, keep the seed bed moist for a few weeks while the grass seed germinates.

If you would like more information about when to plant grass seed in North Dakota, visit Jonathan Green online or your nearest independent retailer for reliable lawn and garden advice. These knowledgeable lawn retailers can help you achieve great results with your lawn.

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