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Seeding a Lawn
When to Seed?
- Apply seed in Spring when soil temperature reaches 15°C (60°F)
- Ideally mid May to mid June
- Best time for maximum germination is mid August to mid September
when soil is warm and the nights are cool.
- If you have spread grass seed in the early spring, it will not
germinate until the soil temperature reaches about 15°C (about 59°F).
Why Overseed?
A thick healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds, disease, drought and
insect damage. Over-seeding can quickly repair a lawn that is thin and patchy
from
- Winter Damage.
- Damage from Drought and Extreme Heat.
- Damage from Grubs, Chinch Bugs and other insects.
- Introduction of a new variety of grass.
Total Lawn Renovation
In some cases the entire lawn may be beyond salvation. This could be due to:
the majority of the lawn is dead, undesirable grass species, damaged from construction,
etc.
- If required apply a total weed and grass killer such as WipeOut®
to kill off any unwanted weeds and grass (Not meant for use as a lawn weed
spot treatment)
Soil Preparation
The amount of preparation will greatly affect the final results.
- Remove dead grass and debris.
- Roughen area with a stiff rake to loosen soil.
- Apply 3-5 cm of good quality top soil, Triple Mix® or Compost.
Starter Fertilizer
- Spread a Lawn Starter Fertilizer over the area (follow package
directions).
- Rake soil level to a final grade.
Applying Seed
- Apply at rate listed on grass seed bag.
- For small areas apply seed by hand.
- For larger areas use a fertilizer spreader, apply in two passes using
half the rate of application per pass - one at right angles to the other
in a crisscross pattern for complete coverage.
- Use a low spreader setting. You should see approximately 2-3 seeds
in a square inch (approximately 2.5 x 2.5 cm).
- Using an empty lawn roller to press the seed in to the soil or raking
lightly with a leaf rake.
- Grass seed needs soil contact to germinate and should be covered
by no more than 7mm (¼") of soil (If the seed is buried any deeper
than this, it will have trouble emerging from the soil. Burying the
seed is a common reason for poor lawn establishment.)
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Watering
- The most important thing you can do now is to ensure that the lawn
receives enough water.
- Keep the lawn moist for the first two weeks. You don't need a lot
of water – about 15 minutes with an average sprinkler each day
will work. You want to keep the first few centimeters (half an inch)
moist.
- Watering in the early morning or the evening works best.
- Use a fine spray so as not to disturb the seedbed.
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Next Steps
- During the first few weeks, keep as much traffic off the seedbed
as possible. The tender, emerging shoots of grass will not withstand much
wear and tear.
- Once the grass has grown up to 3-4 inches (8-10 cm), you can begin
cutting it. This should be after about 4 weeks of growth.
- If you need to apply weed control wait until at least 6 weeks
after seeding.
- After 6 weeks fertilize with a premium slow release lawn fertilizer.
- If you have a few patches that aren't as thick as the rest,
they may not have received enough seed. Don't be afraid to overseed
these areas. The longer they stay bare, the more likely that weeds will encroach
onto your lawn.
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