Lawn Seeding - Tip's and Tricks

So you're trying to seed your lawn? I'm guessing that your currently looking at  bare spots in your yard and you're ready to pull your hair out right? Well, guess what?  Your not the only one! We all have been there, but don’t fret because seeding your lawn is not as hard as you may think. Pay attention to these 5 tips and you should be on your way to filling in those bare spots in no time:

1.) Scope the area you are seeding and select the right seed variety for the job. Are you seeding in a shaded area or is their full sun? If you are seeding in a shaded area like near a tree or by the house you need to make sure you select a seed variety that performs well in shade (St. Augustine, Red Fescue are some examples). If you are dealing with areas of full sun you will have more options but you should also confirm which type of seed to use regardless (Kentucky Blue Grass, Bermuda, Zoysia).   

2.) Use a quality brand of grass seed. One of most common problems with bad grass seed is the prevalence of weeds. If the seed has not been properly filtered of weed seeds you can do more harm than good because you may end up with stubborn weeds that never go away after. Consult your local garden center or lawn care company and get the best seed you can, it is worth the investment and will save you money over time.  

3.) Be prepared to water every day for a few weeks after seeding. All seeds need water to grow and the first 2 to 3 weeks is the most important time period. Follow a watering schedule recommended for the seed variety you are using.

4. Ensure soil contact is made. Grass seed takes root in soil so make sure that you either spread topsoil before seeding or have a core aeration done to the lawn. Either of these options will allow for the seed to germinate. 

5. Make sure it is the correct time of year. If you are using a cool season seed then seed in spring or fall when the conditions are cool, overcast and moist. If you are using a warm season grass then seed when the temperatures start to warm up in late spring or summer. 

Lear more about aeration's and over-seeding's

If you want to learn more about aerations and seeding your lawn, our team is here to help you. Each week we will publish new tips and trick to properly aerate and seed your lawn! Our goal is to ensure that you get the best information possible all in one place. if you're in Texas and have Bermuda grass, or in Chicago with Kentucky Blue Grass, we still want to ensure you receive the most quality information available.

We provide may avenues to getting the job done from DIY concepts and companies who can also get the job done! Our team offers all of that information! Stay tuned in and see what we have to offer each and every week!

Aeration in the midwest

      Knowing the type of grass you have and how the weather works in your area is a huge plus when developing a plan for the lawn this summer. If you are thinking about getting a fall aeration done its a great idea! If you are in the midwest a fall aeration will promote root growth and air flow within the soil bringing the turf the ability to grow at a fast pace and to create quality and a thicker lawn. Having a spring aeration can help promote root growth, oxygen levels in the soil, and it also relieves surface tensions. All of these thing are great for your grass. By following you lawn care providers seeding and aeration instructions,a s well as watering we can ensure that the lawn is done properly!


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The Many Styles of Lawn Aeration's

There are a lot of ways to do aerations on a lawn. The most common is using a pull behind on a lawn mower or by using an aeration machine. There are some other crazy way's out there to do this task, but these two are the most common. The reasons for having a proper aeration is that it loosens the soil, promotes root growth, and allows both air and water deeper into the soil!

Developing a solid aeration schedule on an annual basis will help you build the perfect turf. If you want to develop a perfect lawn taking the proper steps, and watering you will develop a perfect lawn. If you have an aeration at least once a year your lawn will show great results!

Seeding Tip's!

1.) Add Top Soil and/or Perform a Core Aeration: In order for seed to germinate (grow) it needs to have soil contact. The two ways to achieve soil contact are to either apply top soil to the lawn or to have your lawn aerated before each seeding. An aeration is a process in which plugs are pulled from the lawn in order to reduce soil compaction and air circulation. The reason this can help with seeding is that the seeds are capable of reaching the exposed soil which allows for germination.  

 

2.) Seed in the spring or fall: Seeding in the spring or fall is best because air temperatures are cooler and moisture levels are higher. Cool season grasses such as perennial rye grass, Kentucky bluegrass and fescue (which are all common in Alberta) really perform well during these conditions. Another benefit of spring and fall seeding is that it tends to rain more which cuts down on the watering requirements. 

 

3.) Know your grass type: Ryegrass and fescue do a little better in in shade and Kentucky bluegrass performs well is full sun. If you have a typical lawn with some sun and some shade like most people do in Alberta, you are probably safe to get a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye grass and fescue. This variety will ensure that each are of the lawn can germinate well. When selecting grass seed be sure to know the source because some varieties of grass seed can come with weed seeds and this will lead to major weed problems. Never buy the least expensive seed!

 

4.) Water regularly until seeds grow: once grass seed has been applied be sure to water every day for 30 minutes for at least 2 weeks. If you stick to this watering plan you will find that seeds will start to germinate after 7 to 10 days. At around the 14 day point you will really know that the seeds are growing well. If you notice that some areas are still bare or thin, apply some more top soil and then gently add more grass seed again to help fill in these areas.