Top 5 Tips for Better Lawns

When it comes to seeding grass, there are things you should do... and things you shouldn't. These following 5 things will help you better prepare your lawns for the spring. Don't be caught with a patchy lawn... read our N40 eMag:Lawn & Garden Edition here.

1.  Soil temperature must be 51 degrees to maximize germination. The seed bed should be worked up, leveled and then rolled or harrowed prior to planting to firm up the seed bed.

2.   All broadcasted seed must be raked in or harrowed in at a depth no greater than ¼ inch. Seed to soil contact is very critical... as we have said before, "The Secret is in the Soil."

3. Grass seed must be watered on a regular basis to insure proper germination. Keep the ground moist until seed has germinated, then decrease the frequency and increase the time of watering. After fully established you should water no more than three days a week for ½ hour, dependent upon soil type.

4. Foliage should be fertilized after seed is broadcast, fertilizer need not be raked into the soil. Apply fertilizer (16-16-16 or 18-10-10) at a rate of 5 lbs./1000 Sq.Ft... if you are looking for sprayers or spreaders, check them out online here.

5. Do not use weed and feed for the first year. Mowing weeds out is the best control for the first year. If herbicide has to be applied wait until all of the grasses are in the four leaf stage... and know your weeds and how to apply weed killer!