Now is a good time for lawn seeding

By Nathan Winter, University of Minnesota Extension

Many lawns have bare spots from drought conditions over the last couple of months. Consider fall seeding as an option to fill in dead areas.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, a mixture of 60 to 70 percent Kentucky bluegrass and 30 to 40 percent fine fescue grasses is suitable for most sunny lawns. A mixture of 60 percent fine fescue grasses and 40 percent Kentucky bluegrass is best for most shady lawns. For high traffic lawns with high-maintenance practices, a mixture of 60 percent Kentucky bluegrass and 40 percent perennial ryegrass may be best.

Recommended seeding rates per 1000 square feet of lawn:
• Kentucky bluegrass: 2 to 3 pounds
• Fine fescue: 4 to 5 pounds
• Kentucky bluegrass/flee fescue mix: 3 to 4 pounds
• Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass mix: 3 to 4 pounds

No more than 5 to 10 percent of a mixture should be annual ryegrass. High percentages of this grass are commonly found in cheap mixtures that give unsatisfactory results. It is a soft, short-lived grass that germinates rapidly and is useful only for temporary and rapid cover.

The best time to seed a lawn in Minnesota is between Aug. 15 and Sept. 10 when these grasses normally seed in nature. Most annual weeds do not germinate after Aug. 15. A lawn seeded during late summer can become established before winter and be growing in spring before weeds start to germinate. The second best time to seed is early spring as soon as the ground can be worked.

Rake the seed in lightly, leaving about 10 percent showing. Then roll the seed bed lightly to firm seed into the soil, and water it lightly. Visit the University of Minnesota Extension Website at www.extension.umn.edu to learn more about lawns and gardening or contact the McLeod or Meeker counties’ Extension offices for further information.

(Nathan Winter is an agricultural educator — McLeod and Meeker counties, with the University of Minnesota Extension.)