Fall Lawn Care Easy as 1, 2, 3… Kansas State University Dr. Jared A. Hoyle

Fall Lawn CareFall Lawn CareEasy as 1, 2, 3…Easy as 1, 2, 3…

Kansas State University

Dr. Jared A. Hoyle

www.KSUTurf.com

I have a cool-season grass…and I WANT A NEW LAWN!

Your in luck!! Fall is the

perfect time of year for

renovation and new

installs!

RenovationIf your goal is to improve an existing lawn or fill

bare spots…

Then overseeding if the best choice instead of starting over

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

1. Mow down the lawn short (1-1.5 inches)

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

2. Power rake or core aerator– Seeder-slicer can also be used

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

3. Seed selection - http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc1853.ashx

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

3. Seed selection - http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc1853.ashx

“other crop”Good or Bad

Ex. 0.5% other, end up planting 12 to 16 seeds per square

foot!!!(<0.01% good seed)

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

3. Seed selection - http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc1853.ashx

“weed seed”Mainly concerned with annual bluegrass and

orchard grass*no selective control in

home lawns*

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

4. SowingBroadcast spreader Drop spreader

Apply in two directions *make sure you overlap*

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

5. Seeding Rate•Kentucky bluegrass (2-3 lbs per 1,000 square ft)•Tall fescue (3 lbs per 1,000 square ft)

•Must have good seed-soil contact–Use a verti-cutter to cut grooves into ground.–Use a garden rake for small spots.

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

6. Fertility– Soil test– Apply (broadcast spreader) starter fertilizer right

after you are done seeding, before you start watering

– Lawn-starter fertilizer according to label if no soil test was conducted

– 0.5 lbs N per 1,000 square ft

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

7. Irrigation– Thoroughly soak seedbed to a depth of

sever inches– Gentle watering so seed doesn’t wash– Keep seed bed moist w/ frequent light

watering– After germination keep moist– As roots develop and grow deeper

water less frequent but soak more thoroughly until normal watering schedule is established.

Overseeding:A step-by-step approach!

8. Small areas– If only few areas need to be reseeded, prepare with hand

rake.– Sow– Spread thin layer of soil or work in with rake.

• Soil to seed contact

Steps for Overseeding/RenovationSteps for Overseeding/Renovation

• Watch the overseeding video on Healthy Yards Website.

• Key concepts. – Seed to soil contact.– Apply starter fertilizer right after you are done

seeding, before you start watering.– Irrigate deeply at first, then light and frequent.

• Irrigate a little bit, every day. Keep surface damp.

– Mow as soon as grass gets to recommended height. – Can’t apply weed controls until after 3 mowings.