Fall is the time to plant cool-season lawns

By Paul Schnare

As I write this column, I see that it is raining outside. The rain in early fall reminds me that now is the best time of the year for lawn owners to reseed their cool season lawns. Cool season lawns are made of bluegrasses, fescues, and ryes, or a combination of these. Let me explain.

Cool season grasses like to grow when the soils are warm and when the air temperatures are somewhat cool. This of course is the common fall conditions we find in the Heartland.

Warm soil temperatures which we find right now in the Heartland will encourage grass roots to grow. When you seed a lawn you want the germinated seed to put its energy in producing a good root system. Warm soil temperatures are required for this.

When done seeding, keep the soil moist by rainfall or sprinkling the lawn. Keep the watering up so the soil stays constantly moist until the new seedlings have emerged. Then, begin backing off on the frequency of watering.

After the root system is established it is important for the leaf system to then be growing rapidly in order to support the root system growth. The cooler day temperatures will encourage the growth of the leaf system.

If you have an area to be seeded that has no plant material growing in it, rough up the soil before seeding. Then apply the seed. Next, use a leaf rake or a harrow to mix the seed into the soil. For grass seed to germinate rapidly, the seed must be covered with soil so that it can take up soil moisture properly. You may want to cover the area with some straw to help hold moisture in the soil.

If you are seeding over an area that has some plant material growing there, apply the seed to the area and then go over the seeded area with a verticutter. This machine will rough up the soil and will also put the seed into the soil.

Next apply a high-phosphorous low-nitrogen fertilizer such as a 9-13-7. This fertilizer will tell the seed to put its energy into growing roots to start with. After the seeds have germinated and the new lawn has been mowed one time, then apply a fertilizer such as a 24-0-4. This will tell the new seedlings to start producing more leaves.

You should also test the soil for pH. You can do this by purchasing a pH test kit at a local garden center and running the test yourself. You can also take a soil sample to your local University Extension Center. They usually will be able to test the soil for you. You want the soil pH to be around 6.5. In our area you may need to apply lime to raise the soil pH to 6.5. This will be the number that will make nutrients to most available for your new grass seedlings.

I hope these ideas will help you get a beautiful lawn up and growing this fall.