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Turf time has
arrived…time to core aerate, seed or over seed, and apply that first shot of
fall fertilizer. So you head out to your favorite garden center to pick up
some grass seed and see this…multiple bags of different types of grass seed
labeled for different situations in the lawn. How do you know which grass
seed to use?
If you’re seeding or
over-seeding into an existing lawn, make sure the grass seed you buy is
either the same type of grass that is already growing in your lawn, or one
that is compatible to your existing grass. If you’re not sure what you
have, cut out a 12 inch square of your lawn, and take it with you to the
garden store. Good chance the garden pros can help identify what it is
growing in your lawn. And when you go home, simply put the piece of sod
back in its spot.
Now that you know, turn
the seed bags around and look at the label telling you what types of seed
are in the bag. If you have bluegrass or perennial rye, it’s usually best
to seed with a bluegrass / rye mix. This mix is very compatible, and having
a mix of compatible types of grass is good, as they help to support each
other during drought, or disease or insect problems. What affects one may
not affect the other. The bluegrass / perennial rye mix is probably one of
the most common mixes of the older lawns in our area.
If you have the newer
turf type tall fescues, again, look for a blend of different selections of
tall fescues. Having a blend of different selections help to support each
other…one selection may be better at brown patch tolerance or another for
foot traffic, etc. This is Titan Limited…a newer tall fescue that actually
rhizomes just like bluegrass! Perfect for over seeding into an existing
tall fescue lawn, or as the main selection for a newly seeded lawn. One
note here…turf type tall fescues are stand alone grasses and perform best
when growing with other tall fescues. Do not use these for over seeding
into an existing bluegrass/rye lawn.
Make sure your new seed
has good seed / soil contact…slice seeding takes care of that for you…and be
sure to apply a starter fertilizer to help get the new seeds off to a great
start. Keep your new seed evenly moist, and in no time, you’re new grass
will be up and growing. By the way…my favorite type of lawn to have? Turf
type tall fescue…no question. |
