Tips For Summer Lawn Care.         

Over-Seeding Existing Lawns

By Colleen McInerney

The best time to over-seed lawns is in the fall. However, there is good news for those of you that did not over-seed this past fall. You still have plenty of time to over-seed this spring. The best time for early spring seeding is when the last of the honeycomb ice crystals are melting. I am sure that we are all on the same page in thinking that we hope that is soon. Although there is still a lot of snow on the ground, the last of the ice crystal honeycombs and the perfect time for seeding is coming soon. The over-seeding application rate for many grasses that are viable in this area is 2-3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. 

We have found that the best grass for blending with other grasses is our Penn State mix. This is especially important to know when you are patching a particular area. The Penn State mixture contains blue grass and perennial rye grass and creates a great looking lawn. Each variety comes up at differing intervals:  Perennial Rye 5-10 days,  Fescue 10-14 days, Blue Grass  28+ days.  Germination is dependant on the ground temperature which obviously in the Spring is still rather cool.   

What we consider cool season grass doesn't really germinate until ground temperatures are between 45-55 degrees.  It may be noted that Penn State was never a patented mixture.  Anybody can use the word Penn State Grass Seed that puts in a bag perennial rye, bluegrass, and fescue.  The premium Penn State, which Best Feeds carries, always has the same combination of 40% bluegrass, 20% perennial rye grass, and two types of fescue comprising the remaining 40%.  What make ours the premium is the amount of blue grass.  Blue grass is the priciest of the combination so other companies try to skimp by limiting its quantities.  That's what makes Best Feeds, the Best of the Best because we don't skimp!!   

If you are ready to take the next step to creating an exceptional lawn over time, then consider using the Black Beauty grass seed when you are over seeding your lawn. The Black Beauty is a mixture of fescue grasses and when irrigated properly immediately after germination, will develop a strong deep root system which holds up nicely in the heat and drought of the summer. Both the Penn State and Black Beauty grass seeds will help you in creating a thick full lush lawn. 

Another added benefit to the Black Beauty grass seed is it’s natural insect resistance.  It contains endophytes, which act as a defense mechanism to chinch bugs, sod web worms and Japanese beetles.  In the long run using Black Beauty grass seed reduces the need for pesticides in your lawn.  It is also an extremely dark green colored grass with an invisible waxy coating to it.  This "waxy coating" is said to hold in moisture to make this grass more drought tolerant than others. 

Keep an eye open for our future articles on lawn care to develop that lawn that is the envy of all your neighbors. Happy seeding!