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Lawn Seeding Best Results |Your Lawn’s Winter Nap |Mulching Tips
Perfect Mowing |Planting Tips | Seeding

Lawn Seeding Best Results

Even in well maintained lawns, spot or general seeding is sometimes needed. Lawns can thin because of weather or as a result of damage caused by insect or disease pests. Some badly damaged lawns need to be completely "rebuilt" before regular maintenance can do much good. There are three general categories of seeding: spot seeding; overseeding; and renovation. What kind is right for your lawn depends on the condition of your turf.

Whatever type of seeding is done, there are three important rules to follow-high quality seed should always be used, the seed has to make good contact with the soil, and enough water has to be supplied to assure germination and establishment.

Deciding On The Best Seeding System For You
Spot seeding is a quick and easy way to repair things like ruts along driveways, areas worn by foot traffic, and small areas that have died for any reason. To spot seed, use a stiff rake or potato hoe to cultivate the soil and break open the surface. Apply seed to the open seedbed and gently tamp down.

Overseeding broadcasts the seed over a large area. This works well when the lawn just needs a general "thickening up." Overseeding can be done along with aeration or by itself, but doesn't work too well when there is a heavy thatch layer.
Renovation is for lawns that have excessive thatch or are so thin that only a complete rebuild will get the lawn back on its feet. Renovation can be done several ways: old sod can be removed with a sod cutter; the lawn can be de-thatched and seeded; or slice-seeding can be used. Slice-seeding (or verti-cut seeding) is probably the best because it "drills" the seed into the soil without having to remove a large amount of thatch.

Seed Anytime Of Year, But...
It's true that seeding can be successful any time of year, but spring and summer seeding require a lot more care and water, and weeds and crabgrass cause a lot more competition. Late summer or fall seeding is ideal. Early fall is preferred because seed can germinate faster in the warm soil and continue to establish itself through the cooler weather of fall and winter. There's also more natural water in the fall so less sprinkling is needed.

Whenever you choose to seed, remember to keep the seed moist until you have good germination. Sprinkle lightly several times a day during hot weather until the grass is 1'' tall. Also avoid any type of weed control until the new grass has been mowed 4 or 5 times.

Check with When Nature Calls before seeding. We can advise you about the best time, seed and watering for complete success.