hey plugger, I used to include some sort of starter fertilizer when seeding but what I've learned over the years is that because of the gap between planting and germination, some of the nitrogen can volatilize or leach (especially with frequent watering during establishment), etc and so I now wait until the seedlings show before applying any fertilizer. I've also backed the amount of fertilizer down significantly over the years and if the soil is decent, the seedlings do fine (some seedings I don't add any Fert at all and wait to see how they are doing before worrying about adding anything).Anyway, I appreciate the comment and I'm not saying you're wrong--I think it really just depends on the situation, soil type, soil fertility, etc.
@@GrassDoctor Thanks for the tip. I’ll try that. I’ve been using the Starter for 6+ decades, it’s just the way we all thought was right. Always open to new ideas though.
Yes, and then daily (several times a day in warm climates) for a few weeks. Try to apply the water lightly (you can just put your thumb over the hose) - The goal is to keep the seed moist, and don't flood the area because the seed will just float away (sometimes a heavy downpour of rain can mess up a seeding plan - It's a pain, but that's mother nature). Hope this helps - Good luck and have fun :)
Don't you need to rake the dead grass until you see the soil, so the seed can contact the soil? Also, what about putting some starter fertilizer to promote root growth?
Hey Allen, I discuss removing the dead grass and getting good seed to soil contact in the video--this is critical to a successful planting. Good question about the starter fertilizer--I just had a long conversation about this with @plugger4945--check the comment section under this video. Good luck with your project!
Fall is the best time to do any seeding followed by spring. If you have some dead spots in your lawn right now, I would probably get some seed out (and possibly use some mesotrione to keep the crabgrass out) to thicken up the lawn. If you have thin spots it opens the door this spring and summer to let weeds in. If forsythia is in bloom in your area, it's time to seed.
great question Ryan. Cool-season grasses germinate best with soil temperatures between 50 and 60 F so it really depends on where you live. We've been warmer than usual where I live in the transition zone so soil temps are good and the 10-day forecast also looked good. Ideally though you'd probably want to do this in September or early spring, again depending on where you live.
as I said in the video, the KBG is the grass that thinned out--the grass you see is tall fescue. You can certainly wait and let a bunch-type grass (tall fescue) tiller and it will eventually fill in. If it was mostly KBG, the rhizomes would spread and help to fill it in faster. The issue with thin spots like these is that there's no competition so weeds can easily come in. So in my situation I'd be looking at annual bluegrass, henbit, chickweed, etc in these areas instead of a desirable lawn species.
great question. Because there is no seed for St. Augustinegrass, you have to fill bare spots with plugs. You can sometimes buy plugs from a sod producer, but the easiest thing to do is to buy a plugger off amazon and pull them from an area of your yard that may not be quite as visible. This way you know it's the same kind of St. Augustinegrass as well so it will match up with what you have.
With the raw seed, adding a little Starter Fertilizer is always wise.
hey plugger, I used to include some sort of starter fertilizer when seeding but what I've learned over the years is that because of the gap between planting and germination, some of the nitrogen can volatilize or leach (especially with frequent watering during establishment), etc and so I now wait until the seedlings show before applying any fertilizer. I've also backed the amount of fertilizer down significantly over the years and if the soil is decent, the seedlings do fine (some seedings I don't add any Fert at all and wait to see how they are doing before worrying about adding anything).Anyway, I appreciate the comment and I'm not saying you're wrong--I think it really just depends on the situation, soil type, soil fertility, etc.
@@GrassDoctor Thanks for the tip. I’ll try that. I’ve been using the Starter for 6+ decades, it’s just the way we all thought was right. Always open to new ideas though.
Great video. Much more simple than many I’ve watched. Should you water it directly after seeding?
Yes, and then daily (several times a day in warm climates) for a few weeks. Try to apply the water lightly (you can just put your thumb over the hose) - The goal is to keep the seed moist, and don't flood the area because the seed will just float away (sometimes a heavy downpour of rain can mess up a seeding plan - It's a pain, but that's mother nature). Hope this helps - Good luck and have fun :)
Don't you need to rake the dead grass until you see the soil, so the seed can contact the soil? Also, what about putting some starter fertilizer to promote root growth?
Hey Allen, I discuss removing the dead grass and getting good seed to soil contact in the video--this is critical to a successful planting. Good question about the starter fertilizer--I just had a long conversation about this with @plugger4945--check the comment section under this video. Good luck with your project!
How are you keeping the birds from eating the seeds?
Great Visio thank you! I’m in Ohio so we get all seasons, is there a certain time of year you recommend? Or certain temp?
Fall is the best time to do any seeding followed by spring. If you have some dead spots in your lawn right now, I would probably get some seed out (and possibly use some mesotrione to keep the crabgrass out) to thicken up the lawn. If you have thin spots it opens the door this spring and summer to let weeds in. If forsythia is in bloom in your area, it's time to seed.
what about soil temp... is it too late for us now?
great question Ryan. Cool-season grasses germinate best with soil temperatures between 50 and 60 F so it really depends on where you live. We've been warmer than usual where I live in the transition zone so soil temps are good and the 10-day forecast also looked good. Ideally though you'd probably want to do this in September or early spring, again depending on where you live.
Why seed if its kbg?!
Help it spread!
....maybe to continue the look of the mix of kbg and tall fescue?
as I said in the video, the KBG is the grass that thinned out--the grass you see is tall fescue. You can certainly wait and let a bunch-type grass (tall fescue) tiller and it will eventually fill in. If it was mostly KBG, the rhizomes would spread and help to fill it in faster. The issue with thin spots like these is that there's no competition so weeds can easily come in. So in my situation I'd be looking at annual bluegrass, henbit, chickweed, etc in these areas instead of a desirable lawn species.
Any advice for st Augustine?
great question. Because there is no seed for St. Augustinegrass, you have to fill bare spots with plugs. You can sometimes buy plugs from a sod producer, but the easiest thing to do is to buy a plugger off amazon and pull them from an area of your yard that may not be quite as visible. This way you know it's the same kind of St. Augustinegrass as well so it will match up with what you have.