|
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Overseeding your Lawn for winterOctober is the month to convert your lawn to rye grass here in the valley. Once night temperatures
hit 65 degrees at night, Bermuda & Hybrid Bermuda (Tiff) grass begin to slow down. There is a small window of opportunity
to get your winter lawn established. Once it gets to cold, Rye-grass seed is slow to germinate if at all. The seed doe's germinate
quickly when temperatures are in the 80's. So once October is gone so is your opportunity to establish a winter lawn. I like
to over-seed within the first two weeks of October,
This is when you want to scalp &
verticut your lawn.
Verticutting removes the built up thatch that accumlates through out the summer. You can rent a verticutter
or you can buy a
de-thatching blade that attaches to your lawnmower.
Once you have detached your lawn you can then
sow your winter grass seed. For perennial Rye grass spread rates vary so read the label on the bag. It is important
to make sure that your grass seed makes good soil contact so that it can germinate. Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days.
Water your new seed up to 5 times per day. You want to keep your soil moist at all times, you do not want it to dry
out in between waterings. Your new lawn should be pretty well established in 10 to 14 days. Cut the water back & begin
mowing weekly.
Grass seed comes in annual & perennial varieties. Annual is cheaper but steer clear of this
nasty grass. it grows to much & stains everything green! Perennial grass is much more like golf course grass. So in this
case it is best to spend the extra money for perennial grass seed. Expect to pay about $85.00 for 50 lbs or about 5,000 sq.ft.
Good luck & enjoy your winter lawn!
9:07 am mdt
|
