Some may assume spring is the ideal time to seed their lawn. The temperature is warming, landscapes are in bloom — nature is coming to life once again. However, in our neck of the woods, we typically get a lot of rain during this time of year — much more than is required by newly planted grass making it difficult for it to flourish let alone survive. If rain isn’t an issue, temperature is. The cooler soil temperatures of spring slow the grasses growth and further injure tender new plantings.
SavATree Can Help!
We have the knowledge, expertise and tools necessary to provide your lawn with the best quality seeding as well as the best blend, custom mixed for your specific requirements of your property.
A lot of thought and assessment is required when selecting the right grass seed for a property. Not a problem for the lawn experts at SavATree. We will perform a soil analysis, select the best seed for your landscape conditions and develop a comprehensive maintenance plan, including natural lawn care programs to fit your preferences.
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Fall Lawn Seeding FAQ
When is the best time to seed?
The best time for lawn seeding is from late August to mid September. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about seeding their lawns in the fall after drought and damaged areas have been created throughout the summer. Instead, most people think about lawn seeding in the spring, which is not an effective time to get consistent results.
Does my lawn need seeding? What are my lawn care options?
Depending on your lawn care needs, there are a variety of ways to make a beautiful lawn. If your lawn is thin, you should consider slice seeding or overseeding. If your lawn is a disaster and you want to fix it immediately, sodding is the best option. For minor lawn repairs, spot seeding is best. The option you choose should depend on the current condition, desired quality of your lawn, availability of irrigation and budget.
Sodding: When instant turf is needed.
The biggest advantage to sodding is that it instantly provides green turf. It also eliminates initial weed problems, reduces erosion on sloping terrain, and allows more time in the year to successfully establish a lawn. Sod comes in different blends of grasses. The most common sod that you will encounter is made from Kentucky bluegrass. The downside to sodding is that you are not establishing the plant in the native soil. When you install sod, you are bringing in soil that is different then the native soil. This results in the root system wanting to stay in the soil from the sod and not move into your native soil. Many times, sodded lawns decline over five years due to the differences in soil types.
What is Slice Seeding?
Slice seeding is used to either repair a damaged lawn or to improve a thin or weak lawn. Sometimes disease and insect damage can thin a lawn so badly that renovation is the last resort. On a new or thin lawn, slice seeding will introduce new seed into the lawn and help thicken it up. This method solves lawn problems efficiently, and improves your lawn’s density. The seeder cuts furrows into the soil and plants the seed into the furrow. This method puts the seed directly in contact with the soil as opposed to merely spreading seeds onto your lawn, many of which will most likely not germinate. Slice seeding plants new seed into the soil without stripping existing sod. It is the best way to renew or thin a heavily thatched lawn and sow in new and improved seed varieties. Slice seeding is the most effective way to ensure good seed to soil contact and prepare the seed bed at the same time. It enables you to have better looking and more resistant grass types that are adapted to the various conditions on your property.
What does core aeration do?
Core aeration is the process of mechanically removing plugs of soil and thatch from a lawn. Overseeding is the process of putting seeds into a seed spreader, and then spreading the seeds over the entire lawn. The purpose of core aeration with overseeding is to introduce better grass varieties into your lawn. It reduces soil compaction, minimizes thatch accumulation, and will give you a greener and thicker lawn. Core aeration with overseeding is a great alternative because it combines aeration with specially formulated seeds for your lawn. It is important to note, however, that core aeration will not yield the same results as slice seeding.
Can I spot seed instead of overseeding?
Spot seeding is an option that is used when making minor lawn repairs. It literally means “seeding spots”, and can be applied to a scar from insect or disease activity. Spot seeding is only applied to a small area that does not require the use of a slice seeder. The soil can be loosened by using a lawn weasel, adding the appropriate seed blend, and working in the seed.
When the life of a lawn is looked at in the long term, the expense and effort of seeding is well worth it. The only downside to seeding is that it requires watering once to twice a day to ensure proper germination. In the end, your property value will increase, and seeing the new lush green turf on your lawn will be a pleasurable and worthwhile experience. If you are still unsure of which seeding service will best suit your lawn care needs, check with your lawn care consultant or arborist.
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