Fall is the Season to Sow Grass Seed�
Did you know that Fall is the best time to renovate and redo your landscaping? Mid-August to late September is the perfect time to reseed your lawn or transplant your gardens thanks to regular rains and cooler temperatures. Choosing to tackle lawn updates in the Fall will help ensure that any disturbed plants are fully re-established by winter, and it gives your grass seed plenty of time to take root. Why wait until Spring when you can rejuvenate your lawn right now? Let the lawn care and automatic sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn help you improve your property's appearance today.
Begin at the Beginning – Getting a Grip on Grass Seed
Sowing grass seed can be a bit tedious, but when done properly, it can result in a lush and luxurious look. When it comes to sowing grass seed properly, Nutri-Lawn recommends paying close attention to the following factors:
- Drainage
- Soil quality
- Seedbed preparation
- Choice of seed, fertility and moisture
Drainage and Soil Quality Considerations
Drainage is normally the number one concern that our lawn care and residential sprinkler system specialists encounter when working on a new lawn. In order to avoid drainage issues, our lawn techs highly recommend levelling the seedbed using a garden rake. Remember to try and spread the soil away from any buildings. If possible, try and stay away from any steep slopes or terraces. For best results, the automatic sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend spreading a thick layer (12-15 centimetres) on your seedbed. Spread evenly with your garden rake.
Preparation Makes Perfect
The more you rake your seedbed, the easier it will be to spread your seed evenly. It will also help remove any depressions from the soil, which will ensure proper drainage. Once everything is good and level, the residential sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend applying a good quality fertilizer, preferably one that is high in phosphorus (phosphorus aids with the development of healthy root systems). Hope you didn't put your rake away yet – you'll need it to spread the fertilizer evenly over the seedbed.
Selecting the Right Seed Type
When it comes time to selecting your seed, don't skimp and purchase a bargain brand. Quality grass seed is the key to good coverage. The automatic sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend opting for a variety with at least two different kinds of grass seed. The type of seed to look for will depend on the sun and shade conditions that are present in your yard (a Nutri-Lawn lawn care technician can help you if you're having difficulty making a seed selection). When spreading your seed, it's always best to use a mechanical spreader. This will help ensure that your coverage is even. Apply half of the seed travelling north/south, and the other half travelling east/west. This will ensure that the coverage is even. Once the seeds have been sown, it's important that you keep the seedbed dark with moisture. This may require you to bump up the watering requirements on your automatic sprinkler system for a week or so.
Maintain Your Seed
Once your grass has sprouted, water it regularly until it reaches a height of 6 to 8 centimetres. Once it reaches this length the roots should be well enough established to handle a quick cut. Make sure the blade is raised to a height that is no lower than four centimetres off the ground. After your new lawn has been mowed a minimum of three times, it should be stable enough to handle one of Nutri-Lawn's weed treatments.
Fall is a great time to get a jump start on your Spring landscaping projects. Contact the lawn care and residential sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn for more helpful advice.