Turf Care 2012 Spring Seeding for Cool Season Lawns

Spring Seeding and Cultural Practices for Cool Season Lawns

Spring (Mid March to early May) is a great time to seed cool season lawns. Shady areas especially. Otherwise, September is the next best time to seed cool season lawns.

There are always “bald” spots in our lawns in the spring. Mostly, these are caused by leaves left in the grass over the winter or for many other reasons. You can let them be until fall (which makes crabgrass control easier to deal with) you can “spot” treat them or “blanket” treat them.

Spot treating will require you to “cover” your spots with a sheet or card board so the crabgrass applications don’t interfere with seed germination. Blanket applications will require you to use “Tupersan”. Tupersan is the only pre-emergent that allows you to seed and still control crabgrass. Read the label carefully! It requires two applications (25-30 days apart) and still an application of conventional crabgrass control! You should only use Tupersan in full sun areas. Crabgrass won’t grow in the shade. Follow the “Step-By-Step” instructions and you will be fine. Expect to repeat the over seeding process in the fall as spring seeding jobs are rarely as successful as fall seeding jobs.

Cultural Practices after Seeding Cool Season Lawns

*Mow at 3-3 ½” all summer (Tall mowing height = deeper roots)

*Apply organic fertilizers as desired (I suggest 2 applications)

*Apply pesticides only with a full understanding of their intent

*Water with a purpose and knowledge of your capabilities

March 10th 2012 Spring blooms eternal…

Spring has sprung, but is it here to stay? I wish I could predict the weather (and lottery numbers) and know for sure what will happen in the next 4 weeks, but I can’t. I do know if you take the following steps on your cool season lawns you will be pleased with the lawn. DO NOTHING to warm season or zoysia lawns until April 1^st at the earliest!!!! Warm season (hence the name) lawns like EXTENDED periods of warm weather; we can still get down into the 20’s this month.  It’s too early to do anything to zoysia! Read this blog in 3 weeks for an update on warm season lawns.

 Cool Season Grass Advice:

*Sharpen you lawn mower blade, tune it up, be sure it is ready for the season.

*Mow your cool season lawns at 2 ½ to 3”, but only AFTER blowing or raking the matted leaves. Matted leaves will prevent spring green up and spreading of the turf, but mainly they will make your crabgrass application not as effective!

*If mow after you loosen the leaves, your mower will vacuum or chop them up easier. You should mow at least TWICE before you apply your crabgrass preventer.

*When you do apply crabgrass preventer, wait until March 24 or so. Barricade ®, Team®, Pedimethelin ® , Dimension ® are all fine to use through the month of March. Dimension Or Dthiopyr ® should be used from late March to Mid-May. READ the label and be sure you understand the rate of application. Do not be fooled by advertisements that make coverage claims. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Most claims are price point sales tools that usually only give you half of what you need.

*Spring seeding can be done immediately. Read this article previously published in the Gateway Gardner:

Please email me if you have any questions and remember folks…it’s just grass!