Planting Grass Seed in Autumn
Planting Grass Seed in Autumn
The “Very Best” time to plant grass seed in our area is from August 15th to September 30th.
Why is that?
Temperature - Late Summer/Early Fall provide the perfect combination of warm soil and cooler air temperatures which are ideal for seed germination and establishment.
Moisture - Fall generally provides increased rainfall (and morning dew) for germination and early growth. Routine watering is still critical, especially in the early stages of growth.
Reduced Weed Competition - Weeds are less active and aggressive in the fall, allowing the new seedlings to become establish with less competition for water and nutrients.
Reduced Risk of Pests and Disease - Cooler temps can also mean reduced activity from pests and fungus which can damage new grasses.
Enhanced Root Development - Cooler temps and less heat stress allow the young grasses to focus its energy on developing strong, deep roots to help with next summer’s heat and potential lack of rainfall.
These advantages are the same for over-seeding and/or a total lawn renovation.
What do we need to do to get ready?
Test your soil - A soil test is always recommended. The results will tell us the pH of soil determining how much lime is needed. We recommend a Fast-acting Calcitic Lime if conditions warrant. This lime can be applied at the same as seeding.
Monitor the existing turf - Check if the thatch layer requires dethatching, or a core aeration. If the thatch layer is more than a ½ inch it will impede water and nutrient absorption. Add topsoil to any low or compacted areas.
Select the Proper Seed Mix - Essex Co-Op has seed mixtures for every possible lawn condition. We have seed for: Sunny, Shady, and everything in between.
Establishing your new lawn
Starter Fertilizer - Apply starter fertilizer at the time of seeding and again in three weeks to give the slower germinating varieties a boost. (see chart below)
Water - The seeded area should be watered carefully and consistently. Too much water can wash seeds away, and not enough water will kill the seedlings. The best strategy is to keep the soil moist at all times. This means you must take into consideration weather and precipitation and check the soil daily. The top inch of soil should always be moist, but not soggy. This may mean that you water the soil 2-3 times a day for 5-15 minutes, depending on the weather and your soil conditions. Keep the soil moist until the entire seeded area is filled with healthy growing grass. Until this time, do not let the soil dry out. Different varieties of seed geminate at different times. So be patient and keep watering consistently.
Mowing - Generally, new grass can be mowed three weeks after planting.
Please visit the Essex County Co-Operative for all your late summer/early fall seeding supplies.
