Getting the Best Results from Late Summer Seeding

Getting the Best Results from Late Summer Seeding
If you want a lush lawn in the Spring, the secret could very well be in late summer seeding. While a good looking lawn doesn't happen overnight, late summer seeding, mid-August through September, could be just what you need to set yourself up for Spring.

While it seems like a pretty straightforward process, there are a actually some facts you need to keep in mind about lawn seeding if you want the best results all year long. Let's break it down and see how it all sets you up for success next Spring.

The Need for Seed
The first thing you'll want to determine is if your lawn even really needs seeding in the first place. If you have a healthy, lush-looking lawn, you not even require additional seed or maybe not even aeration. Seeding is most helpful for lawns that have developed dry/thin patches over the season. Aeration is especially helpful for dry patches where the soil beneath is hard and compacted.

Overseeding is a technique that can help with both of these issues.

Know Your Grasses
If you are shopping for grass seed, you might see the terms "warm season grass" and "cool season grass" tossed about. These terms don't actually refer the time of year that this seed should be planted. Rather, it refers to your temperate zone. For instance, geographical locations with really warm summers and relatively mild winters are best suited for warm season grasses, such as carpet grass or bermuda grass. On the other hand, in areas where winter temps regularly drop (and stay) below freezing, cool season grasses like bluegrass and fescues are an ideal choice.

Seeding Technique
Sure, nature seems to grow grass just by letting grass seeds blow around and land where they may, but you will need a much more focused and hands-on approach. You'll want to make sure the seed is set properly, fertilized, and covered with more soil. If you are just putting down seeding and not following up with regular maintenance, you may as well just be tossing bird seed on your lawn.

Keep the Seed Moist
You'll also want to make sure that the new seed gets watered regularly, especially in the first few weeks or until the grass has grown to at least an inch. In late summer, the temps can still get scorching. On those days, you'll want to make sure to run the sprinkler over newly-seeded areas several times a day to ensure proper germination.

Timing and Turnover
Summer can really do a number on your lawn. From sustained heat, to foot traffic, to weeds, to pets, and so forth, the lawn you end the summer with can often look very different than the one you saw at the start of summer. When you seed in late-summer, though, the new grass's exposure to these factors is minimized. This allows you to thicken things up at the end of your summer and leave your lawn prepared to pop in Spring.

In Conclusion
A healthy lawn isn't a set-and-forget deal. It takes maintenance and care to ensure that, year after year, you have the best looking lawn possible. Part of that care includes late-summer attention, such as fertilizing, aeration, and seeding.

For all of your commercial lawn maintenance needs, feel free to contact E.P.M. online</a> or call us at 517.990.0110 today!

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