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| Seeding Your Lawn |
Table of Contents
Seeding
Seeding Bare Spots and Thin AreasFall Recovery: Bare Spots and How to Fix Them
No lawn is perfect. Along with weeds, the most common issue in lawns is bare spots and thin areas. Often, fixing bare spots and thin areas is simply a matter of adjusting the watering and feeding schedule. If the lawn only has a few bare spots, then a few simple repairs will patch it up.
Find Out What's Causing the ProblemThere's always a reason for bare or thin spots. The trouble is, it's not always obvious. You may need to do a little detective work. Does the soil drain well in the bare spot? Do dogs leave their calling cards there? Maybe you have an insect problem, lawn disease, or too much shade. Is the grass you're planting suited to your conditions? Your lawnmower could be "scalping" your lawn with a low setting. Bare spots could be the result of any of these, but the first thing to check is how you feed and water your lawn.
RepairFortunately, it's easy to fix most bare spots. Spread a little soil, such as Scotts® Turf Builder Seeding Soil® over the area. Then apply quality grass seed, such as Scotts® Pure Premium® Grass Seed, and feed with Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer. Keep the area moist until the grass matures, then you're set. Just resume regular watering.
If It's Too Far Gone, Consider RenovatingIf a patch of your lawn only grows weeds or unsightly grass, you may want to start over from scratch. Spray the area with RoundUp® Weed and Grass Killer. After 7 days, rake out the dead plants and add an inch of Scotts® Turf Builder® Seeding Soil evenly over the area. Level out any low and high spots. Next, spread top-quality seed, such as Scotts® Pure Premium® Grass Seed, and give them a head start with Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer. If you keep your patch moist until the seeds grow into mature grass, your bare spot should disappear.
If Your Bare Spot Is the Entire Lawn, OverseedIt happens: your nice, green lawn looks a little threadbare all over. Take a look to see what's causing the problem. If your lawn has more than half an inch of thatch, you may need to rent a de-thatching machine. Going over your lawn with one of those gives new seeds a chance to take root, and it helps the grass you have get more water and nutrients. You also may need to add a thin layer of topsoil where your soil looks thin under your trees and shrubs. Using a drop spreader or a rotary spreader, apply a layer of quality seed, such as Scotts® Pure Premium® Grass Seed, then follow up with an application of Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer. Now, all you have to do is keep the lawn moist, and it will look a lot better in a few short weeks.
Make It Routine: Feed and Water RegularlyGiving grass the nutrients it needs helps it grow thick and full. Deep watering once a week (or more when it's really hot) allows for deeper root growth. If you make these two steps a habit, your lawn will look great, with fewer bare and thin spots.
back to topOverseeding Your Lawn
After a summer of mowing, watering, edging, and weeding, it's pretty frustrating when your lawn looks thin and worn out. Heat, foot traffic, and drought really take their toll on grass. The good news is that it's easy to make your lawn thick and healthy by overseeding. If you put down a layer of seed over your lawn in the spring or fall, all the thin areas start growing grass, and your lawn starts to look terrific again.
Why OverSeed?Over time, grass does get old and needs to be replaced. Worn-out lawns invite weeds. Overseeding is a fast, inexpensive way to bring your lawn back to its lush, green, healthy self without tearing everything out and starting over. It's also a great way to introduce a new type of grass. If you live in the south, you may want to overseed your bermudagrass lawn with perennial rye grass for a green winter lawn.
When to OverseedThe best time to seed your lawn is in the fall. The soil is still warm but the air is cooler. There are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there's plenty of sunlight. Also, diseases that attack seedlings are less active. If you can't seed in the fall, your next best time is the spring.
Mow LowFor seeding, you'll want to cut your grass a little lower than normal. Also, remove the clippings. This will allow the grass seeds to get down to the ground more easily.
Help the Seed Settle in by Amending the SoilIt's a good idea to rake in a thin layer of enriched soil over your lawn. Don't put so much down that you kill your grass; less than a quarter of an inch is plenty. Scotts® Turf Builder® Seeding Soil works well for this purpose.
Choose the Right SeedWhat seed you choose depends on where you live and what problem is making your lawn thin in the first place. For instance, if your lawn is shady, choose a shade-tolerant seed. If kids play in your yard, choose a variety that can stand up to foot traffic. For best results, look for a grass seed that's 99.99% weed-free. An example is Scotts® Pure Premium® Grass Seed. The people at your neighborhood garden center can help you choose the seed that's right for your lawn.
Spread the SeedYou've cut the lawn a little shorter. You've removed the clippings and amended the soil. Now comes the easy part. Just fill up your spreader with grass seed and go. Be sure to follow the instructions on your seed bag.
Feed and WaterTo get seedlings the essential nutrients they need for fast growth, spread Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer. Gently rake the seed and fertilizer into the soil. Keep the soil moist for 7-14 days or until the seedlings are 2 inches tall.
back to topSpreader Maintenance
Spreader Maintenance Is EasySpreaders are sturdy, reliable machines that are a real help when you're taking care of your lawn. Even so, they need a little TLC to do the job at their best. Keep these steps in mind, and your spreader will serve you well for years to come.
Wash It OutAfter you're done using it, empty unused material back into the product bag. Put your spreader on the lawn and hose it down. Product left in the spreader can clog up the openings.
Spray ItIf your spreader has metal parts, spray them with a lubricating oil after you've hosed it down and let it dry. This will prevent rusting. Plastic spreaders don't need lubrication.
Check the CalibratorDrop spreaders are adjusted at the factory, but can get out of whack. If you have a drop spreader and feel that it's not spreading correctly, check your owner's manual for the adjustment instructions. If you have a Scotts® AccuGreen® 3000™ drop spreader, put the setting at 6. The shutoff bar should align with the calibration line engraved on the bottom when your control is set at 6 and activated by squeezing. If not, use a small wrench to adjust the black calibration screw at the lower end of the control wire.
These articles courtesy of Scotts
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