The Best Time to Seed is Now!
August and September is the perfect time to begin thinking about next year’s lawn. Establishing your turf areas now gives the lawn a better chance to withstand next summer’s heat, humidity, and potential drought. Current warm days, cool nights, and expected fall rains favor turf establishment. Also fewer weed seeds germinate during the fall which means less competition for new grass to grow.
For existing areas where decent grass is present and weeds are few you may overseed. Drop spreaders, or slit seeding, can be used to evenly distribute seed in large areas. Thoroughly water the entire area, and seed should germinate within 7 days. For areas with more weeds than desirable grass, it’s wise to start from scratch. Round-up is a great way to clean up the entire area. The chemical will kill any non-woody plant it touches, but only what it touches. It isn’t absorbed by the roots; the entire plant, including the root system, is usually killed. Death usually occurs within days.
After spraying, wait 7 to 14 days and then remove the dead grass and weeds. For big areas, a sod cutter is recommended. Small areas can be raked out. Make sure any large clumps of dead grass are removed.
Top soil or a turf enhancer can be spread on top of the seed. Be sure to use a good grade of seed. Some of the seed sold at garden centers is only made up of annual grasses that will not come back in the Spring. A good seed mixture should include at least 50% Kentucky Bluegrass in the mix. Avoid Bermuda, Bent Grasses, and Fescue grasses. Be sure not to over water your new seed before – or after – it germinates.
On days when there are cool, damp nights, the seed will require less water. Shady areas may only need water once a week. Now is also a good time to start thinking about fall plantings for trees and shrubs. September and October may be dry but the temperature usually doesn’t reach above 80°. Watering new plant material isn’t as difficult to keep up with as in the hot summer months.
Many garden centers will start marking down the prices of their merchandise, especially perennials in late September and October. Fall is a good time to plant perennial for spring blooms. Autumn planting has been recommended because fall’s steadily cooling temperatures allow roots to settle and grow without the stress of supporting new leaves and flowers.
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William Quinn and Sons, Inc.
3860 W. 127th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: 708-389-8119
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