The magic month is coming. Timing is critical if you’re looking for a lush lawn
BY DENNIS PATTON (SPECIAL TO THE STAR) AUGUST 26, 2020 05:00 AM
Each year I share about the importance of seeding a lawn in early September. Timing is critical as the window for success is small.
I almost skipped writing about it this year as many lawns are thriving. For those wanting to thicken a thin stand in your lawn, this is your reminder.
Early September is the ideal time to overseed a bluegrass and tall fescue lawn in our area. Warm soils and cool nights result in quick germination and establishment. Soil preparation, seed selection, fertilization and irrigation are essential factors for success.
Prepare the soil by core aeration and/or verticutting. Verticutting slices grooves in the soil, creating an area for grass seed to fall and germinate. This method is preferred as you will begin the process of overseeding with an even seed bed.
Core aeration pulls finger-sized plugs from the soil. Start by mowing the grass short (1 to 1.5 inches), then verticutting in one or two directions. Remove debris from the lawn to improve seed-to-soil contact.
Quality seed is vital to success as inexpensive mixes contain species such as creeping red fescue, fine leaf fescue, perennial, annual rye and annual bluegrass. These species look good after seeding but soon fail under stressful conditions.
Read the label on the bag to ensure you are using varieties of bluegrass or tall fescue. No other grass species will tolerate the weather conditions in the Kansas City area. National brands are often filled with species not recommended.
Speed up the establishment of the stand by applying fertilizer as well. The existing grass also benefits from this application.
Unlike recommended September fertilization that should be high in nitrogen, apply a starter fertilizer such as 13-13-13 or a high phosphorus product such as 10-20-10. Phosphorus is a macronutrient aiding in seedling root development.
Experience tells me most people do not apply enough fertilizer when seeding. They are afraid of burning the new grass. In fact, the opposite happens, resulting in a lack of nutrition and slow seedling growth.
About four weeks after germination, apply a high nitrogen fertilizer such as 27-3-3 or 30-0-0. Repeat this application in mid-November, sending the grass into winter with energy to grow strong once spring arrives.
Seeding is the next step and should be applied at half the seeding rate used for new lawns. Tall fescue seeding rate is 6 to 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet. The overseeding rate is 3 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Broadcast the seed over the prepared area.
New lawn rate for bluegrass is 3 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet, making the overseeding rate around 2 pounds. Fescue should germinate in about 10 days, while bluegrass may take up to two weeks.
Water in the new seeds and keep the seedbed consistently moist to ensure rapid germination. Begin with frequent, light irrigation and progress to deeper, more infrequent watering as the seedlings become established.
Normal lawn watering schedules of deeper and less frequent are thrown out the window during this establishment period. The upper layer of soil must be kept moist at all times for an even stand of grass.
Lawns in good condition from the kinder summer we experienced this year do not need to be overseeded, only lawns that require thickening. The greatest success is achieved by seeding on or before Sept. 20.
If your lawn is like mine and in good shape, take a break. You deserve the reprieve.