Choosing a higher quality seed product if you want to establish lawn

Tag : When To Plant Grass Seed
Choosing the proper grass for the site is an important step inestablishing lawns. For areas primarily in full sun, Kentuckybluegrass is the most widely used grass, often mixed with a smallpercentage of perennial ryegrass. For sites with more shade, addthe fine fescues, such as creeping red fescue or chewing fescue.

Examine the seed package label to see exactly what is in theproduct. Look for named cultivars or varieties of each species.This generally assures a higher quality seed product.

Having several cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass in a lawn, forexample, helps assure resistance to problems such as disease. Inmost cases you get what you pay for when buying grass seed, so becareful with inexpensive seed products, as they could be inferiorquality.

Properly preparing the soil is critical, whether seeding orsodding. A large percentage of the serious lawn problems in ourarea can be traced back to poor soil preparation as the underlyingcause.

Our soils are high in clay and need to be amended prior to plantingthe lawn. Add an additional two inches of quality loam soil ororganic matter to the existing soil and mix thoroughly.

Soil should be prepared to a depth of about 6 inches. You need 8 to10 inches of quality soil for best turf grass development andperformance.

The Rapid City Landfill sells yard waste compost for $20 per tonand gives away their municipal solid waste co-compost at no charge. Either compost will work well to add organic matter to the soil.Work a lawn starter fertilizer like an 8-32-16 into the top twoinches of soil before seeding.

Once the site is prepared, the lawn can be planted. Follow thesuggested seeding rate on the package, distributing seed evenlyover the site. You can mix one part seed to nine parts of moistsand before spreading. This helps to insure even distribution ofseed. Lightly rake the surface to cover the seed

It is a good idea to divide the required amount of seed into twoequal parts. Sow half in a north/south direction and the other halfeast and west.

Firm the planted soil with a light packer-roller. The type ofroller that is filled with water available at most rent-all storesworks well. Maintain adequate moisture for the next 3 or 4 weeks toassure good germination. Several light gentle applications of waterare necessary each day then slowly reduce the number and frequencyof watering. Lightly mulching with straw can help conserve moistureand protect the seedbed.

When sodding, purchase enough sod to cover the area. Stagger theedges as the sod is placed on the soil, like you would lay block tobuild a wall. Water thoroughly to assure the water moves throughthe sod into the soil below. Stay off the area until the sod hastaken root securely into the soil.



Bill Keck is the South Dakota State University and PenningtonCounty Cooperative Extension horticulture educator. Call him at(605) 394-2199, Ext. 112.