Late Summer Lawn Seeding

Amy Timmerman, Extension Educator Author

09/13/2023 Added

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The establishment of a new lawn requires careful planning and hard work. However it is time well spent.

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[00:00:00.387]This is Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension.
[00:00:03.317]The establishment of a new lawn requires careful planning and hard work.
[00:00:07.886]However, it is time well spent.
[00:00:10.157]The effort site devoted to site preparation and turf establishment
[00:00:13.367]will be reflected in the quality of the turf for many years.
[00:00:16.357]The best time to establish a lawn from seed is from mid-August to mid-September.
[00:00:20.717]Late summer planing has several advantages over spring seeding.
[00:00:24.806]The cool season grasses will germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer.
[00:00:28.895]The warm fall days and cool nights promote rapid turf growth.
[00:00:33.011]Also, few weed species germinate in fall so there is little weed competition.
[00:00:39.288]The first step in planting a new lawn is the establishment of the rough grade.
[00:00:43.618]Remove construction debris, then fill in low spots, and level off high areas.
[00:00:47.897]The grass should slope away from the foundation
[00:00:50.127]of the house, driveway, and sidewalks.
[00:00:52.657]The rough grading should be done well in advance
[00:00:54.973]of seeding to allow settling to occur.
[00:00:57.630]At least 4 to 6 inches of good soil are needed to establish a lawn.
[00:01:01.340]If necessary, bring in additional topsoil or organic matter.
[00:01:05.735]Be sure the topsoil or organic matter is weed free.
[00:01:08.663]Incorporate the additions into the top 6 inches of soil.
[00:01:12.433]To determine soil fertility, conduct a soil test.
[00:01:15.223]Apply the recommended fertilize, then incorporate it into the soil.
[00:01:18.993]Where a soil test has not be made, apply 10 pounds of 10-10-10 or
[00:01:23.668]similar analysis fertilizer per 1000 feet and till it into the soil.
[00:01:28.393]The final step in soil preparation is hand raking the area.
[00:01:32.393]This is also the last opportunity to establish the final grade.
[00:01:35.983]Immediately prior to seeding, apply a starter fertilizer.
[00:01:40.146]A starter fertilizer is high in phosphorous.
[00:01:43.156]An important key to the successful
[00:01:45.061]establishment of new lawn is the selection
[00:01:47.698]of the best suited turf grass species for the site.
[00:01:50.274]Kentucky Bluegrass is the best adapted turf grass
[00:01:53.364]for sunny areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
[00:01:57.449]Choose a seed mix that contains at least 2 or 3 Bluegrass varieties.
[00:02:02.362]The fine leaf fescues perform best in shady locations.
[00:02:06.213]The fine leaf fescues include Creeping Red Fescue,
[00:02:09.449]Hard Fescue, Chewings Fescue, and Sheep Fescue.
[00:02:13.085]Perennial rye grass is often used in seed mixes because of it's
[00:02:16.705]ability to germinate and establish quickly.
[00:02:19.285]For setting locations, select a seed mix containing
[00:02:22.545]80 to 90% Kentucky Bluegrass and 10 to 20% Perennial Rye Grass.
[00:02:28.370]In lawn that contain sun and shade, select a mixture containing 50 to 60%
[00:02:33.490]Kentucky Bluegrass, 30 to 40% fine leaf fescue, and 10% perennial rye grass.
[00:02:39.903]Heavily shaded areas that receive less than 2 hours
[00:02:43.323]of direct sun should be seeded with 100% fine leaf fescues.
[00:02:47.566]Buy a high quality seed mix.
[00:02:50.346]Avoid grass seed mixtures containing a high percentage
[00:02:52.874]of annual rye grass, weed seed, or inert material.
[00:02:56.493]The higher quality seed will be more expensive but there will be fewer problems.
[00:03:01.291]To achieve uniform seed distribution, apply the seed with a drop type seeder.
[00:03:05.736]Sow half the seed in one direction.
[00:03:07.729]Apply the remaining half at a right angle to the first application.
[00:03:11.729]After sowing the seed, lightly rake or drag the area.
[00:03:15.489]The seed should be covered to a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
[00:03:18.989]While not necessary, you can roll the area
[00:03:21.221]lightly to assure good contact between the seed and the soil.
[00:03:24.243]To promote seed germination, mulch the area with clean weed free straw.
[00:03:28.973]Mulching material helps to conserve soil moisture.
[00:03:32.513]They also prevent soil erosion and crusting of the soil surface.
[00:03:36.486]Do not apply to much mulch.
[00:03:38.256]It may smother the emerging seedling.
[00:03:40.665]Approximately 50% of the soil should be visible thru the straw.
[00:03:43.845]Approximately 1 bale per 1000 feet of area should be adequate.
[00:03:47.846]Erosion control mats or blankets are excellent options
[00:03:51.102]when sowing seeds on steep slopes and other erosion prone areas.
[00:03:55.506]After the ground has been mulched, water the area.
[00:03:59.246]Moisten the upper 1 inch of soil.
[00:04:01.346]After the initial watering, irrigate the area frequently and lightly.
[00:04:05.346]The objective is to keep the seed bed or the upper inch of soil continuously moist.
[00:04:09.827]Do not allow the seed bed to dry out during the germination period.
[00:04:13.577]It maybe necessary to water 3 or 4 times daily on windy, sunny days.
[00:04:18.317]When the grass seedlings are 2 inches tall,
[00:04:20.779]start watering less frequently but deeper.
[00:04:23.681]The new grass should be mowed when it is 3 inches tall.
[00:04:26.588]Make sure the mower blade is sharp.
[00:04:28.497]Mow at a height of 2 -2 1/2 inches.
[00:04:30.807]Regular mowing through the remainder
[00:04:32.487]of the fall will help to thicken the turf.
[00:04:34.456]Questions regarding your lawn, please visit your local
[00:04:37.496]extension educator or visit byf.unl.edu.
[00:04:42.666]This has been Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension.

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Late Summer Lawn Seeding

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