Every spring, the debate begins: Should we seed in the spring, or can it wait until the fall? If it can wait until the fall, the job will be much easier and will probably deliver better results. We’ll have conditions that create a more suitable environment for seeding, but we all fall victim to the occasional rogue snowplow or someone who ends up parking partly in the grass. Sometimes, certain situations will mean that a spring seeding is necessary.
First, don’t use a traditional pre-emergent where you want to seed. Using prodiamine or dithiopyr will hinder your seed from germinating correctly—or at all. Apply your seed as early as possible once air temperatures are around 60–75°F. This timing will give customers’ lawns ample time to develop a robust root system that can withstand summer conditions. We still need to discuss how to fight crabgrass and other weeds, which we’ll discuss later.
Second, decide what seed will work best for each customer’s lawn conditions and turf type(s). Reach out to your ATS sales rep for help making a decision. I also recommend taking a soil sample. Soil amendments may be needed since new seedlings use a lot of energy. You’ll also need to prepare the yard. Cultivate the soil, use the slit seed method, and put down fresh topsoil to ensure seed-to-soil contact. Make sure that you end up with a uniform coating of seed at the proper rate.
Earlier, I mentioned that it’s best to skip prodiamine and/or dithiopyr, but you’ll still need a pre-emergent to keep crabgrass and other broadleaf weeds at bay. That’s why I recommend using 21-22-4 with Mesotrione, a starter fertilizer with pre-emergent built-in. This product will protect seedlings from weeds and supply them with a great package of nutrients.
We could get some good results if we stopped here, but the longer the canopy stays thin and the more that soil is exposed to the sun and rising temperatures, the more at risk the yard is for crabgrass and weeds. Applying Foliar-Pak Grow-In at seeding and repeating applications every seven to 14 days will help the turf mature with a solid root system in no time. Also, an insulator of some type may be needed to help with grade washout and cooler night temperatures. Keep track of rainfall as well. We want to keep the soil moist, not soggy.
These are the main points I have on spring seeding. Once the stand has matured, it can handle other herbicides. For personalized recommendations and to address what is currently giving you trouble, reach out to your ATS rep today.
