GRASS SEEDING IN FALL AND WHY ITS IMPORTANT FOR OPTIMAL ROOT GROWTH

Many lawns and pastures are in poor conditions by summers end. Grazing of pastures, foot traffic of adults, children and animals, extended dry weather, insect and weed pressure, have all left our grass with reduced vigor and poor density. Fall is a great time to remedy this, by either over-seeding or completely reseeding our lawns or pastures to establish a healthy stand of grass again.

Fall in the PNW is still relatively warm, plus some rain begins to show up on a regular basis. This kind of weather promotes excellent seed germination. The shorter light periods of our fall days stimulate this newly germinated seed to develop a deep, strong, and well developed root system. This is a response to the impending harsh winter months. Fall planted grass seed tends to be denser, healthier, and grow vigorously with the arrival of spring. Note, when seeding a lawn, the recommended rate for overseeding is 5lbs per 1000sq ft and if starting a new lawn the recommended rate is 10lbs per 1000sq ft.

A compounded lime and a starter fertilizer or 16-16-16 should be applied at the recommended rates when grass seed is planted and/or sprouting. This will aid in the establishment of the grass as well as the development of a strong root system. To ensure seed to soil contact, peat moss and grass mulch are great substrates for grass to grow in when compacted and watered. A grass mulcher is commonly used (and available to rent at Burns Feed Store) to compact grass seed into the cultivated soil with either dried grass mulch or peat moss. Two high priorities when growing seed are the seed to soil contact so that the seeds have a compact medium to sprout and the consistency of moisture in the seed during the germination process.

 Burns Feed Store carries a variety of grass seed blends for lawns from ProTime Lawn Seed and pastures from Bailey Seed Company. Lime is available in powdered, pelletized, or granular dolomite form. Whether you’re using  starter fertilizers such as 16-16-16 in your pastures, lawn fertilizers formulated to your lawn’s needs, or a fall winterizer to enrich the lawn soil with nitrogen over the dormant months, Burns Feed Store has what your lawns and acreage need for optimization of greener grasses.