Lawn Seed Establishment

Establishing and maintaining a good lawn in the transition zone requires more than just "sowing and mowing". Many factors must be taken into consideration before attempting to establish a turf area. Following are some simple steps that will help in the selection and care of a new lawn.

1.     When to Seed
Cool season grasses such as bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue can be seeded in either the spring or early fall. Fall is often considered a better time due to the temperatures, better moisture distribution, and less competition from weeds.
Warm season grasses such as Zoysia and Bermuda should be sown in the late spring or early summer only.

2.     Selecting the Proper Grass
In order to choose the proper turf grass, four basic questions should be answered:
* Is the area in full sun, partial sun or heavy shade?
* How well will the lawn eventually be maintained? Will it be meticulously cared for or is a low maintenance turf required?
* What kind is the soil type? While almost all grasses perform well on a good silt loam, only a few can handle a heavy clay.
* How much traffic will the lawn be exposed to? Certain grasses have been developed with a high wear tolerance.

3.     Seed Bed Preparation
Good seed to soil contact is very important. When establishing a new lawn, make sure to have a clean, firm seedbed, free of any stones, leaves and other debris. After seeding, lightly rake the area to cover as much seed as possible. When over seeding an existing lawn, start by mowing the lawn low, then expose as much of the soil as possible by raking to remove any clippings.

4.     Fertilization
The first priority is for the new grass plants to establish a good, solid root structure. This can be helped by applying a good starter fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen but higher in phosphorus and potash. Once the grass is relatively established, a higher nitrogen fertilizer can be used.

5.     Watering
Use a fine spray and water daily to keep the ground moist until the seed is established. It is very important not to let the seed completely dry out. Take caution not to allow the water to puddle. Once the lawn is established, infrequent waterings to a depth of 4" to 6" is recommended.

6.     Mowing
The new grass can be mowed once it attains a height of over 3 inches. With the exception of Zoysia and Bermuda, never mow the lawn lower than 3 inches, with the optimum mowing height being 3¹/₂ to 4 inches. Never remove more than one-third of the leaf material at one time. Keep the mower blade sharp. Zoysia and Bermuda should be maintained at a height of 1¹/₂ to 2 inches.