A lush and healthy lawn can not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your yard but also help to lower soil erosion, filter groundwater, absorb excess rainfall, and improve air quality. It can absorb dust and other particles also, which is essential for improving asthma or healthy breathing. You might want to improve the current lawn at your home to improve the air quality, enhance your home’s appearance, or simply make your yard prettier. Irrespective of the reason, selecting the right grass seed is crucial. When it comes to selecting grass seed, buyers commonly have several questions in their minds. Here we have answered some of those questions to make it easier for buyers to choose the right grass seed for their lawn.
Selecting Grass Seed – Common Questions Answered
1. What are the different types of grass available?
Turf grass can be classified into two chief categories – warm season and cool season.
With its origin in the south, warm season grass grows well in places with a hotter climate. This grass type lies dormant and fades to a brown hue when the temperature goes down in the months of fall and winter. The late spring season is the ideal time to plant warm season grass. Some common warm season grass seed types are Bahia, Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia.
Some versions of this grass need to be grown from sod or grass sprigs. This should be kept in mind while looking at options. In case you live in a place with a warmer climate, your lawn can be reseeded during the winter so that you can have green grass throughout the year.
The cool season grass originated from the North. It grows well in the fall and spring seasons during which the weather is cooler compared to the hot summer months. This grass type can be cultivated from grass seed. Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Fescue are some of the common cool-season grasses.
2. What are the things to consider before using grass seed?
Before selecting grass seed and using it, here are some questions to ask.
- Will you plant a new lawn or simply reseed bare or empty spots?
- What is the extent of traffic on your lawn currently?
- What amount of time do you need to devote to the maintenance and care of your lawn?
- What is your budget for lawn care?
- How much sun does your lawn receive?
- Do you want to use a straight seed version or a version containing a combination of different grass varieties?
3. How to Plant Grass Seed Well?
Prior to planting grass seed in an area, the soil needs to be prepared well. Work the soil using a sharp garden tool. Any stones, rocks, and existing plant material need to be removed. Then, add some organic material to the soil. This would help the soil become ready to absorb water. Also, smoothen the soil by raking and adding fertilizer for improving germination which would help in the growth of the grass. Sow the grass seed evenly then, following any special instructions provided by the manufacturer. The grass seed should be raked down into the soil’s top 1/8 inch.
You can sow the grass seed with your hands or using a lawn spreader. You may mulch the seeded area in the soil with garden fabric or straw to help the soil retain moisture. The grass seed needs to be watered every day until its germination. After it germinates, the grass can be watered less frequently, but with larger amounts of water.
After the grass grows up to three inches in height, the mulch can be removed, and the grass can be mowed lightly. Protect the area from people and animals to prevent any damage during the growing process by roping the area.
4. What time does it take for the grass to start growing?
The amount of time required depends on the grass type. The package of the product usually has information about the amount of time needed for the new grass to start growing.
Other Key Considerations
When thinking about buying grass seed, ensure that you read the manufacturer’s label carefully to know what grass seed type is included, if more than one variety or type of grass seed is included, and whether any other materials are included.
You may choose to buy straight seed that includes only one grass type and offers a certain look that’s similar to golf greens. Mixtures include a combination of a variety of grass types, while blends include a combination of multiple types of grass types. Mixtures and blends give the lawn a more uniform look and have a higher resistance to diseases compared to a straight seed.
Mixed grass seed consists of different percentages of each grass type. Look at the information closely to ensure that it includes the varieties or types that you are looking for. Avoid buying the blends that don’t list the varieties contained. Additionally, ensure that the germination percentage is listed clearly, which offers information about the number of seeds that should sprout properly when planted and cultivated under ideal conditions. Go for percentages higher than 75 percent.
All grass seeds consist of a very small amount of weeds. Try selecting grass seed that has the weed content listed as 0.5 percent or lower than that. Choose a brand containing no amount of noxious weeds at all as they can damage a lawn significantly. The inert matter amount which includes dirt, fillers, or chaff should be lower than two percent.
Wrap Up
This information would help you in selecting grass seed for your lawn. If you are planning to plant grass seed in your lawn, hire us to get expert assistance! All American Turf Beauty is a leading lawn care company based in Iowa with well-experienced lawn care specialists who can guide you right in selecting grass seeds and planting them effectively to get a lush lawn.