5 Steps To Reseed or Resod Your Lawn
Ready to start or restart a lawn damaged by insects, weather, time or neglect? If you tackle this task in mid-spring or the fall, and if you follow these 5 tips, you'll eliminate the guess work from the project, and you'll have a greater chance of seeing green, not feeling blue.
1. Plan with the End in Mind: Are you planting Seeds, Sod, Or Sprigs?
Your answer is very much dependent on the type of grass you're planting, the season, and how much time you're willing to invest in the growth. Sod gives instant results and requires little follow-up. It’s the best option in midsummer, when high soil temperatures may keep seeds from germinating. The best time to start a new lawn from seed or sprigs is mid to early spring or early in the fall.
2. Make sure you Read the Label
To ensure that you're getting good quality seed, please read the label. You will want to ensure that the varieties listed are by trade name as opposed to generic names: 'Liberty' Kentucky bluegrass, for example, instead of Kentucky bluegrass. You’ll note that all of the better lawn grasses are sold as named varieties.
3. Avoid Certain Seeds
Be wary of "bargain" seed mixtures, which often contain low-quality grasses like redtop (Agrostis alba) or rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis). Such inferior lawn grasses can become weedy and quickly compromise the quality of your lawn.
4. Make Sure to Check the Germination Ratio
All Seed Labels itemize the germination rate of each grass variety included. It will also include the percentage of other ingredients that may be present such as weed seeds and other misc seeds. Check that the germination rate is high. You will want at least a 75 percent for bluegrass and 85 percent for most other varieties. Then check the number of other seeds in the package; each type of the other seeds should total no more than half a percent.
5. Do Not Make the Sod Wait
Please make your arrangements to purchase sod in advance so you'll know exactly when it will be delivered to your house. Then be ready to plant it as quickly as possible after it arrives. Should the sod be ready before you are, keep it in a shady place covered with a tarp to keep it from drying out. For optimum results, immediate action is required - plant promptly.
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