Inside: A Simple Guide On How To Plant Grass Seed. Collaborative post.
Have you always wondered why the lawn next door looks greener than yours? Then, this might be the ideal article for you.
Having a lush green lawn is a delight to the eyes. It helps in sprucing your backyard in mere seconds. But did you know the secret to achieving such gorgeous grass turf underlies in correctly planting grass seeds?
The steps to plant grass seeds can be pretty straightforward. However, seeding requires patience, hard work, and persistence. Canada experiences a wide range of climatic conditions. While the Pacific coast enjoys mild weather conditions throughout the year, the central-western provinces can face weather extremities with hot summers and chilly winters.
Therefore, you must know the sowing seasons to help grow a lush lawn and witness the fruits of your hard labour. So, what is the best time to plant grass seed? Continue reading to learn more.
Here is a list of some simple steps to plant grass seeds to grow a green, fresh lawn worth all your wait.
How To Plant Grass Seeds?
Choose The Best Time
Understanding the best time to plant grass seed according to the climate and location is crucial.
The ideal time for planting grass seeds in Canada is spring and fall. Choosing this time allows the grasses to establish appropriate and enjoy pleasant weather conditions while growing without facing any extremities.
Creepy fescue for cool seasons and Zoysia for warm seasons are some of the ideal choices. On the other hand, using Buffalo grass seeds for drought seasons and Centipede grass to handle moisture can also be some of the other excellent options.
Once you have decided on the grass seed, check the soil temperature to determine whether you should plant the seeds. According to experts, the ideal planting window lies between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparation
Once the planting window has been locked, preparing the soil for the planting season is essential. Add the required fertilizers and nutrients into the ground. You can look for specific fertilizers beneficial during seeding. A quick tip, skip fertilizers that kill weeds as they can prevent the growth and proliferation of the grass seeds.
Before you sow the seeds, use a thatcher or metal rake to loosen the soil and remove debris and grass cuttings if present.
When you plant the seeds, it is essential to ensure that nothing is preventable in the soil that antagonizes the growth.
Sowing The Seeds
As your soil becomes prepared, it is time to sow the seeds. Use a hand spreader to ensure equal distribution of the grass seeds on the ground. Rake the soil immediately afterward to establish contact between the earth and the seed.
You can apply a thin layer of mulch to protect the grass seeds from harsh rain and winds. Watering the soil, making it damp, can also boost the germination of seeds and provide immediate moisture.
Watering The Seeds
Once the sowing is completed, water the seeds regularly. Experts recommend watering the seeds four times daily, preferably in the morning, noon, and late afternoon. Watering at night should be avoided, and water the seeds for around 8-10 minutes each time.
The top 1⁄2 inch of soil should not be dry. Make sure the watering makes the soil moist but not soggy. Excessive watering creating puddles across the seed beds, can wash away the seeds.
Once the new grass becomes at least an inch tall, shift the watering schedule to alternate days, and as the grass begins to grow, you can water them sporadically.
But it is essential to mention that your watering schedule should be according to the grass seeds’ water requirements. Research your grass seeds and identify their moisture requirement.
Bottom Line
The growing period of the grass depends upon the grass species. While cool-season grass takes two weeks to grow, some warm-season grass seeds can take a month to sprout.
To encapsulate, to get a lush lawn, choose the best time to plant the grass seed, prepare the soil, sow the seeds, and water on time. Refrain from mowing or walking on the grass beds during the first month of sowing.