Sowing
Wilson’s has the right grass seed for a beautiful lawn for you. The best time to sow grass is in late August to late September. Lawns can be started at other times but need extra care to keep the area watered until the seed is established.
Establishing A New Lawn
- Have your soil tested if possible. Your local county extension service can help you with this. Make plans for necessary grading and the addition of soil amendments and topsoil according to the recommendation.
- Choose the proper seed for the site. Use a sunny mix for full sun locations, shade mixes for shade, and a blended mix for those areas that are not full sun or full shade.
- Work the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Rake, so the soil is level providing a crumbly (not fine) top layer. Remove any stones.
- Spread your seed according to the package directions. Lightly cover the seed with soil or Bumper Crop Soil Conditioner. Apply the starter fertilizer at this stage, as well. (Do not use regular lawn fertilizer, which is high in Nitrogen, great for when your grass is growing, but not for sowing!)
- Lightly straw the area, 1 bale per 1000 square feet is about right. You may get some of your straw (wheat or oat) growing also. Don’t worry; mowing will eliminate them later.
- Water lightly and frequently (3 to 4 times per day) using a fine spray. Keep the area moist, not wet, and do not let it dry out. Once the seed germinates and gets off to a good start, gradually reduce the watering to a regular schedule.
- The lawn may be cut when it reaches 3 inches. A complete fertilizer may be used 6 weeks after seedling emergence. Herbicides may be used after 3 cuttings.
Reseeding An Existing Lawn
- Mow the existing lawn short without scalping.
- Rake the lawn to remove thatch and debris. The more soil you expose without stripping away the turf, the better. The seed must reach and contact the soil for success.
- Spread the seed. After spreading, lightly rake the turf to allow more seed to fall into the grooves created by your seedbed preparation. Usually, there is enough thatch and existing turf to act as a mulch. If not, a light covering of Bumper Crop or peat will do the job.
- Apply the starter fertilizer.
- Try to keep foot traffic to a minimum and follow the same principles for watering, mowing, and fertilizing as in establishing a new lawn.
