A Beautiful Lawn

Lawn Overseeding

      Want to have a thicker greener and more lush lawn? There are many ways to help your cause. Proper watering, fertilizing, weed control and  lawn aeration are all important steps in maintaining a beautiful lawn. Overseeding is also a  valuable step, but one that is often overlooked. If you can spread the blades of the grass and see soil, your lawn could benefit from overseeding.

 

Why overseed? 

   After about three years the reproductive rate of grass slows down & it eventually reaches a point where it cannot keep up with the need for new plants. Most of the cooler season grasses in our area (doesn't include zoysia & bermuda) grow in bunches. when these bunches start to die out space is left  for weeds to thrive.

   Newer cultivars of grasses are engineered better. K 31 was a popular variety of fescue for quite some time.however it is a wider bladed grass that doesn't blend well with other types of turf. It is also prone to disease when fertilized on a regular basis. Newer versions of tall turf fescues are more drought tolerant and  less susceptible to disease. They are also thinner bladed, blend better with other grass types and have a more robust green color.

  Mixing different types of grasses that have different growing seasons can make a lawn look vibrant most of the year. Overseeding a bermuda grass  lawn with a perennial rye can keep a lawn green in the cooler months when the bermuda has gone dormant.

When to do it

   Late summer through early fall is the best time to overseed in our area.Early Spring works also.  The warm soil (necessary for germination), the abundant sunshine & cooler air (both good for growth) make for ideal conditions to overseed.

How to do it 

  Start by mowing the lawn. Cut it shorter than normal. This will allow the new seed more sunlight. Bagging the clippings is also helpful. The nect step is to rake the area you plan to overseed. This removes debris and makes it easier for seed to soil contact. The next step is to spread the seed.Drop spreaders work well for smaller areas because they are more precise (keeps stray seed out of those landscape beds).  Broadcast spreaders work well for larger areas.  Split the seed and spread it - half while walking one direction and half wile walking in the opposite direction. This will make for a more even distribution of the seed. There are many different types and blends of grass seed, so make sure to check the label for application rates.

Things that improve your rate of success

- use a granular slow release starter fertilizer in conjunction with the seeding

- aerate the lawn first. Core aerators can be found at most rental places

- remove thatch. A mechanical dethatcher will do a better job than raking by hand.

- top dress a thin layer of compost or topsoil (1/4 " at the most) will help hold in   moisture.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP

 Water twice a day until the seed germinates(may take 3 weeks) & continue to water after that. You want to keep the seeds moist all the time  but not water to the point where they wash away. Ryegrass will usually start in 4-6 days. Fescues 7- 10 days. Bluegrass can take 2 -3 weeks. Forgetting to water for just 1 or 2 days can decrease the germination rate by 20% to 30%. It can take a full month for new grass to establish well and it needs to be watered while this occurs.

 

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Tips for Overseeding a Lawn

Want to have a thicker greener and more lush lawn? There are many ways to help your cause. Proper watering, fertilizing, weed control and  lawn aeration are all important steps in maintaining a beautiful lawn. Overseeding is also a  valuable step, but one that is often overlooked. If you can spread the blades of the grass and see soil, your lawn could benefit from overseeding.

 Why overseed? 

   After about three years the reproductive rate of grass slows down & it eventually reaches a point where it cannot keep up with the need for new plants. Most of the cooler season grasses in our area (doesn't include zoysia & bermuda) grow in bunches. when these bunches start to die out space is left  for weeds to thrive.

   Newer cultivars of grasses are engineered better. K 31 was a popular variety of fescue for quite some time.however it is a wider bladed grass that doesn't blend well with other types of turf. It is also prone to disease when fertilized on a regular basis. Newer versions of tall turf fescues are more drought tolerant and  less susceptible to disease. They are also thinner bladed, blend better with other grass types and have a more robust green color.

  Mixing different types of grasses that have different growing seasons can make a lawn look vibrant most of the year. Overseeding a bermuda grass  lawn with a perennial rye can keep a lawn green in the cooler months when the bermuda has gone dormant.

When to do it

   Late summer through early fall is the best time to overseed in our area. The warm soil (necessary for germination), the abundant sunshine & cooler air (both good for growth) make for ideal conditions to overseed.

How to do it 

  Start by mowing the lawn. Cut it shorter than normal. This will allow the new seed more sunlight. Bagging the clippings is also helpful. The nect step is to rake the area you plan to overseed. This removes debris and makes it easier for seed to soil contact. The next step is to spread the seed.Drop spreaders work well for smaller areas because they are more precise (keeps stray seed out of those landscape beds).  Broadcast spreaders work well for larger areas.  Split the seed and spread it - half while walking one direction and half wile walking in the opposite direction. This will make for a more even distribution of the seed. There are many different types and blends of grass seed, so make sure to check the label for application rates.

Things that improve your rate of success

- use a granular slow release starter fertilizer in conjunction with the seeding

- aerate the lawn first. Core aerators can be found at most rental places

- remove thatch. A mechanical dethatcher will do a better job than raking by hand.

- top dress a thin layer of compost or topsoil (1/4 " at the most) will help hold in                 moisture.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP

 Water twice a day until the seed germinates(may take 3 weeks) & continue to water after that. You want to keep the seeds moist all the time  but not water to the point where they wash away. Ryegrass will usually start in 4-6 days. Fescues 7- 10 days. Bluegrass can take 2 -3 weeks. Forgetting to water for just 1 or 2 days can decrease the germination rate by 20% to 30%. It can take a full month for new grass to establish well and it needs to be watered while this occurs.

 

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Fine Fescue and Tall Fescue

Comparing Fine and Tall Fescue Grass Seed Varieties

Grass is grass right? Not so. If you live in the United States and are considering a major overhaul to your property, it is vital you understand the differences between tall fescue and fine fescue grass varieties. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages to each type, you can make an informed decision about what seed variety will work best in your particular area. The time spent in research will maximize all that hard work and money with years of beautiful green grass to enjoy with your family.Common traits of fescue grasses Fescue grasses are considered cool season grasses, designed to work in the majority of the United States and into Canada. Both types of fescue grass are built with three major advantages; they are tolerant of the shade, able to withstand long periods without rain, and stay green all year. They also need less fertilizer due to a deep root system. The fescue grasses solve the problem that other grass varieties have with areas of significant temperature fluctuation; the warm season grasses cannot handle the cold winters, and the cool season grasses cannot handle the hot summer. The fescue grasses are able to handle the wide range of temperatures. Because of this, many seed mixtures contain fescue grasses as well.What are the differences between the two types? Tall fescue grass Tall fescue grass is a broad-leaved bunching grass that works well for lawns and sports fields. Despite the word "tall" in its name, this grass when left un-mowed will not grow taller than 20". The newer varieties can be used for pastures with livestock. If the lawn is subject to extreme drought or insect damage, you can over seed a tall fescue grass in the fall to help prepare the lawn for the next warm season. This grass is built to withstand a lot of traffic, thus making it a good choice for large areas that get a lot of activity. The tall fescue grass performs a bit better in the heat than the fine fescue variety. Fine fescue grass This variety excels in the shade. It will continue to grow rapidly despite the lack of sun. Keep in mind that if fine fescue is planted in full sunlight, it will slow down the growing process. If you have long periods of heat, this grass will have to be watered more frequently. On the flip side, it the preferred grass seed for the colder climates. Fine fescue grass seed is usually added to seed mixtures to help compliment the other variety. It is a non-aggressive, drought resistant, low maintenance grass that germinates in 14 days. There are several sub-species of fine fescue grass bred for more particular adaptations. Sub-species of fine fescue grass Creeping red fescue Like its name implies, the creeping fescue creeps along the ground. This variety is especially hardy in the cold and shaded areas and has a red tint at the base of the leaf. Creeping fescue is also used for areas that are left un-mowed, such as meadow slopes and roadside locations. Chewings fescue This grass variety is used primarily to round out seed mixtures. The seed does well in sandy soils and can be mown quite low. The disadvantage to chewings is that it is not as tolerant to wear and tear as other varieties. Hard fescue Hard fescue is in fact one of the "hardiest" varieties of fescue grass. It can be grown at high elevations and performs well in droughts, the cold, and shaded areas. The grass has a pretty blue-green color that stays green for longer than other types. It cannot be mown too low and its growing habits mimic a lot of tall fescue types. Which one is right for you? Once you have a better understanding of the different types of fescue grasses, take down some notes about the particular area you are seeding. Watch the sun path, look up the average high and low temperatures of the year, and analyze the amount of foot traffic and frequency of mowing. Once you have that settled, you will be able to choose the type of fescue grass that works best for your needs.

Some Suggestions for Choosing a Lawn Mowing Service

Want your lawn to look great but don't have the time to do it yourself?  Consider hiring a lawn company to do it for you. Choosing a lawn care business that will provide many different types of work  (mowing, aerating, seeding, fertilizing, landscaping, tree & shrub trimming and many others) is an option. Many people simply want to hire a company to mow the lawn. If that is your goal here are a few things to consider in order to ask the right questions when choosing a lawn mowing service.

Frequency  - How often do you want the lawn mowed? some companies only offer weekly mowing packages, but others offer mowing every 9/10 days or every other week as an option. It is also a good idea to ask what the policy is when the weather is dry and to ask how late into the year the company generally mows.

Pricing -  How much are you going to be charged & how are you being charged? It may vary - It could be a monthly charge for "x" months or it could be charged "per cut". Once you are quoted a price find out what the billing options are. Some may offer a discount for email billing. Most should offer some sort of a discount for seasonal prepayment. Do not be afraid to make a counter offer - it doesn't hurt to ask for a better price.

What does the service entail? - make  fair comparisons - a company way offer a better price simply by providing a lower level of service. Do you want the grass bagged? Is trimming included? Edging? Blowing off walks, patios, drives & decks? Weeds in walkways & driveways taken care of? Is the curb kept clean? Decide what level of service that you expect  and make sure that it is included ion the quotes that you get.

Customer Service  - Did someone answer when you called for a quote or did you have to leave a message? How long did it take for someone to get back to you? How long did it take for someone to come by & give you an estimate? Can you contact the lawn service by email? by text? Smart phones make it easy - an hour or so should be plenty of time to get a response or a callback. How you are treated before you are a customer may say a lot about how you would be treated as a customer.

Research  - There are many places online to find more information on a  service business (ratings,services offered , how long in business). The Better Business Bureau (example) is one. Angie's List is another. Take advantage of free resources that are available.

Insurance - Any service provider that you hire to do work on you property should be insured. Most companies will be able to show  one page certificate of insurance (showing what they are covered for) when providing an estimate.

Other considerations  - Are the employees uniformed? Is the company truck lettered & clean? People that take better care of what is theirs may take better care of what is yours. Do they use commercial equipment? A lawn mower from a box store will work well for mowing 1or 2 yards a week, but may not be reliable enough to do 20 or 30.  A person that has invested in the right equipment may be a factor in showing reliability.

 

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Tips for Lawn Care in Drought Conditions

The heat can quite a toll on  lawns in the summer. Lack of rain  and warmer temperatures at night will cause  turf to struggle.  For those  that do not have an irrigation system, here is a list of a few things that may help.

Mow taller (and less often) - Cutting less frequently = less stress on the grass.  Longer leaf blades on the grass will allow it to store more water.

Mulch ( don't bag)  when you cut - Grass has a high water content & leaving clipping on the lawn allows the grass to reabsorb this water and other nutrients. Clippings also help a little with insulating the roots of the grass plant from the heat & evaporation doe not happen as quickly.

Sharpen blades on mower - sharp blades cut grass evenly & allow a lawn to look good at a taller height. Dull blades tear grass unevenly and cause additional stress to the grass. Cutting with dull blades will cause a lawn to turn brown & go dormant quicker in drought like conditions - if the tips of the grass plant  turn brown a day or two after mowing, it is probably time to sharpen the blades.

Less fertilizer - for lawn turf, less nitrogen = less growing and that means less water is needed. If the lawn is already mostly brown (dormant), you may just be feeding the weeds that sprout this time of year. There is an exception - if you are expecting a large amount of rain within a day or two then it is a good idea to apply a small amount of fertilizer (maybe 1/4 of a regular application) before it happens. Do this only if you know for sure that it is going to rain.

When to mow - Cooler times of day - early morning  or late evening are the best times to mow. Mowing in the heat of the day may cause problems - the heat and the pressure from the mower tires may cause the grass to go dormant in strips. Avoid traffic on the turf as much as possible.

When it is hot and dry (with the exception of watering), less is often more. The best course of action is to simply leave the lawn alone. However , there are many thing you can do in the fall (which may include aerating overseeding or dethatching ) to better prepare you lawn for the next season.

 

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Lawn Care Service - A Few Things to Know When Choosing

All homeowners have a secret: they want their lawn too look the absolute best. After all, it’s one of the first aspects of the house seen by neighbors, friends or passersby. Whether you’re too busy, want to make neighbors envious or hide the fact you don’t have a green thumb, you want a lawn care service which provides the best service.
Regardless of where you live, there are a tremendous amount of lawn care services eager for your business. You can acquire a list of providers by do the usual such as asking friends, relatives, lawn care associations and business organizations like the local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Once you have a list, it’s time to start eliminating some of the lawn care providers. This is probably harder than creating a list. However, there are things to know when choosing a lawn care service provider. These tips help you in picking the right service provider for your lawn care needs. Choosing a lawn mowing service is covered here.

Type of Services
All service providers aren’t created equal or offer the same services. There are various categories for garden and lawn care services which includes:
• Fertilizing
• Planting
• Mulching
• Lawn aeration
• Clean up and hauling
• Mowing
• Edging
• Reseeding
Thus, before you choose a lawn care provider, you should decide what you actually need the company to do. Evaluate your lawn. You may want to answers some questions as you consider the type of work you need completed. For example, you may have to answer questions such as:
• Do I need landscaping or just the lawn cut?
• Am I interested in seasonal maintenance or year-round service?
• Do I want any pesticides or fertilizer applied to the lawn?
• Am I interested in an irrigation system as part of my lawn care service?
• Does my lawn need reseeding?
You should have the providers evaluate your lawn and tell you what needs to be done. This will help compare each provider. For instance, one company may tell your lawn needs a tremendous amount of work and provide a high estimate. Another provider may tell you the opposite and provide a lower estimate.
Narrowing Down the Lawn Care Service Providers
Whether the company is new or has been in existence for a long time, you want a provider who has experience in full service lawn care. In other words, you want a company which does more than mow the lawn. This saves you time and effort of going through the process of choosing another provider, if or when you need the additional services done. You may even want to consider lawn care providers which provide services such as landscape design just in case you want the service on day.
After each lawn care provider evaluates your lawn, request an upfront quote. You want a detailed quote, not a general estimate. You have to know what the quote includes and if any other services such as reseeding cost extra. So, ask for a list of everything the provider will do.
When narrowing down your list of providers, interview them. You want to know if they have insurance, how long they’ve been in business and who will work on the lawn. For example, will the company have actual experts or high school kids working for the summer? . Although you may not anticipate canceling the service, you may need to do so. So ask ahead of time the steps needed to cancel the contract.  Check with business organizations to insure they have a good rating.
Final Considerations
Picking a lawn care service provider does not have to be a chore or insurmountable tasks when you know the things to remember. You may narrow your options according to the reasonable price one provider offers over another. However, there are some other things to factor into your decision such as if the provider has a trusted name in the field and the type of services you are getting.

Pennington® Seed Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix

Providing detailed product information for different grass seed products available locally with the hope of making it easier for homeowners to pick a product that best suits their needs.

( /k = for every 1000 square feet of grass area - approximately 30 feet by 33 feet)

Seed Rate - new lawn =  8lb/k          over seed = 4lb/k

 Germination -  7 to 21 days

 Approximate price/k to overseed  =   $10.56

 Approximate price/lb of actual seed  =  $2.64

 Content                 Variety                      Germination

32.0%          Rebel Sentry tall fescue     80%

22.0%           Prospect tall fescue          80%

22.0%          Rebel Pro tall fescue          80%

20.0%            Forte tall fescue              80%

Penkote® - seals each seed to protect against fungus, increasing survival and promoting healthier grass

Rebel Sentry - fine texture, dark green, transition zone,very good for high traffic,

Prospect - fine textured, drought tolerant,

Forte - early spring green & late fall color, dark green, shade tolerant, slower growth, winter hardiness, high traffic, drought tolerant

 

Similar info on other grass seed products found  here.

Scotts® Turf Builder® Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix

Providing detailed product information for different grass seed products available locally with the hope of making it easier for homeowners to pick a product that best suits their needs.

( /k = for every 1000 square feet of grass area - approximately 30 feet by 33 feet)

Seed Rate - new lawn =  8lb/k          over seed = 4lb/k

 Germination -  6-14 days

Approximate price/k to overseed  =   $8.80

 Approximate price/lb of actual seed  =  $4.60

 Content               Variety                Germination

18.94%       Wolfpack II tall fescue      85%

14.44%       Tarheel II tall fescue         85%

14.36%       Groundskeeper WAF       85%

50%            Water smart® coating

Water smart® coating - grass seed absorbs twice as much water as uncoated seed. This is to help prevent it from drying out in the event that you miss a day of watering.

Wolfpack II - low growing, dense, high traffic, dark green, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, uniform growth

Tarheel II - low growing, medium fine texture, dark green, shade tolerant, heat & drought tolerant, dense, high traffic, low growing

Greenskeeper WAF - excellent for high traffic, transition zone, fine texture, Heat & humidity tolerant, dark green color, early spring green

Similar info on other grass seed products found 

 

Similar info on other grass seed products found  here.

10-10-10, N-P-K, 18-24-6, Lawn Fertilizer Terminology

What the numbers mean

Every fertilizer bag should have 3 bold numbers. The first is the amount of nitrogen (N), the second the amount of phosphorus (P) and the third the amount of potassium (K). Nitrogen is in the form of ammonium  (NH4) or nitrate (NO3). Phosphorus is in the form of phosphate (P2O5) and potassium is in the form of potash (K2O).

These numbers represent the percentage of each nutrient in a bag of fertilizer and are always in the same  order - (N)(P)(K). A 20lb bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 2lb (10%) nitrogen  2lb (10%) phosphorus and 2lb (10%) potassium. A 50lb bag of 18-24-6 starter fertilizer contains 9lb (18%) nitrogen 12lb (24%) phosphorus and 3lb (6%) potassium. Note that a fertilizer does not have to contain all three nutrients - urea (46-0-0) is an example.

What the nutrients do

            Nitrogen -  absorbed by plants in larger quantities than other nutrients

                                    - helps provide green color

                                    - somewhat mobile in soil & should be applied 2 - 4 times a

                                       year depending on  conditions

                                   - speeds up (top)growth of plant

                                   - is a  component of chlorophyll and essential to

                                      photosynthesis - process by which  plants  make food

                                   - can be over applied - too much nitrogen and grass will grow

                                      quickly at the  expense of root systems

    Phosphorus  - essential to photosynthesis

                                   - supports root growth and flowering - why there is generally a

                                      larger (P) number  in starter fertilizer

                                   - less mobile in soil in Midwest as it tends to bond tightly with

                                      clay soils

                                   - part of every cell in plant

                                   - assists in storage of food

    Potassium    - second only to nitrogen in plant uptake

                                   - essential to disease resistance and tolerance of

                                      temperature extremes

                                   - helps with root development

                                   - not a fixed part of plant tissue

                                   - helps transport nitrogen and sugars in plant to where they

                                     need to go

                                  - is recycled from  clippings - bagging of grass can (over time)

                                     result in potassium deficiency

 

 

Scotts® Turf Builder® Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed Mix

Providing detailed product information for different grass seed products available locally with the hope of making it easier for homeowners to pick a product that best suits their needs.

( /k = for every 1000 square feet of grass area - approximately 30 feet by 33 feet)

Seed Rate - new lawn =  3lb/k          over seed = 1.5lb/k

 Germination -  8 to 14 days

Approximate price/k to overseed  =   $7.50

 Approximate price/lb of actual seed  =  $10.24

General info - Scotts most cold tolerant grass seed mix

 Content               Variety                Germination

12.29%       Jump start bluegrass         83%

11.05%       Courtyard bluegrass          83%

11.04%       moonlight SLT bluegrass   83%

7.20%          Midnight II bluegrass       83%

7.19%         Prosperity bluegrass        83%

50%            Water smart® coating

Water smart® coating - grass seed absorbs twice as much water as uncoated seed. This is to help prevent it from drying out in the event that you miss a day of watering.

Courtyard - medium fine texture, dark green color, high traffic, dense growth, good winter color

Moonlight SLT - medium texture, high traffic,  dark blue green color, dense growth, good in clay soils

Midnight II - dwarf growth habit, high traffic, dark blue green color, dense growth, good in clay

Prosperity - medium fine texture, high traffic, dark blue green color, low growth habit, dense growth, heat tolerant,

Notes -  Generally speaking, bluegrass can take longer to germinate than other types of grass. Manufacturer info say 8 - 14 days but you may want to consider watering as if it will take 3 weeks (maybe even 4) to germinate - just to be safe.

Similar info on other grass seed products found here

 

Similar info on other grass seed products found  here.