When buying seed for your lawn, buy from a reputable and knowledgeable representative. Don’t just buy any brand. Seed distributors have to supply the big box stores where they market their lower quality seed. This is why I purchase my seed by the ton, from a seed broker I have known for over 10 years. My seed cannot be purchased at nurseries or box stores. I use only seed that local golf courses use on their fairways. A fairway grass is a Class C turf which most closely resembles your home lawn. A putting green is an example of a Class A turf. For home lawns I prefer to use a 70/30 seeding mix.
Fescue grass also requires more water longer than perennial rye grass in order to become established. You need to water a little longer than you think so the secondary grasses can become established. Also note that you don’t want to let the perennial rye grass grow above 5 inches tall before first cut or it will shade out your fescues.
A blend is a mixture of several different varieties of the same seed. An example would be a three-way perennial rye grass, similar in concept to like-blended whiskies.
Different types of seed are mixed together, such as perennial rye grass and fescue. This provides the advantage of mixing sun and shade grasses and disease with pest resistance.
Many things are considered when seed is mixed or blended:
- the color of the grass at maturity
- the fineness of the blade and uniformity
- how the grass will be maintained, such as cutting and fertilization
- disease and susceptibility to pests
Cheap seed is no bargain. It quite often contains other non-desirable grasses by accident or on purpose. At the box stores I now see a change in marketing techniques by reputable seed producers. They market seed with their nationally-known name but it is aimed at the cheapest purchaser. These seeds are marketed using descriptions like “contractors’ mix” or “extremely fast establishing” or “quick green”. The frugal shopper buys this seed, gets it home, applies it, and it looks great. But when the seed finally matures, it’s usually wide-bladed and ugly and “goes to seed” all the time. The frugal shopper then sees the ugly lawn and by then has forgotten what he put on last year, so goes back and buys a cheap, low-quality product again.
Failure can be caused by: poor germinating temperatures, a weed and feed or chemical being applied either before or after seeding, lack of watering, overwatering, birds and other animals feeding on the seeds, contaminated soil, chemicals, diesel fuel and/or paint thinners.
Kentucky Bluegrass does not live longer than one year here in Western Washington. Winters are not cold enough for the grass to go into dormancy; disease will also kill it.
Sodding properties over 4,000 square feet gets expensive. Many landscape designers now prefer hydroseeding for larger properties. You have to water more in the beginning, but what you save in labor and cost can be spent on proper site preparation.
When comparing hydroseeding estimates, please consider the following criteria. All bids are not equal. More is to be considered than just cost per square foot. Ask about:
- the hydro mulch to be used.
- seed quality and fertilizer.
- if the soil to be hydroseeded is on a slope, then is a tackifying agent needed to prevent soil from washing away?
- does the company experience working on residential lawns?
- what do they recommend for weed control?
- years in business: opt for companies with established experience and a proven track record.
- insurance and licensing: ensure they have proper insurance and licensing to protect you and their workers.
Use quality seed, fertilizer, the right mix in the tank, and irrigation.
In the Spring the birds have so much other food to eat they typically don?t eat many, if any, seeds.
You can but the first rule of successful overseeding is getting the grass seed in contact with your lawns soil. Just because a grass seed germinates on your lawn does not mean the seedling will survive even short term. For long term successful lawn establishment, grass seeds need to be planted in the soil for proper root development. This is why lawn aeration with a starter fertilizer is recommended before overseeding your lawn.
While you can just sprinkle grass seed on your lawn, it’s not generally recommended for several reasons and won’t guarantee successful germination or a healthy lawn:
Low Success Rate: Just throwing seeds on top of the soil often results in poor seed-to-soil contact, which is crucial for germination. Many seeds will be washed away by rain, eaten by birds, or struggle to compete with existing weeds.
Uneven Growth: Without proper preparation, the seed distribution will likely be uneven, leading to patchy growth and a less aesthetically pleasing lawn.
Remember: Proper preparation is key for successful lawn establishment.Â