Re: Lawn seeding in the fall?

raydillon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> When is the latest in the fall that I can safely seed a new lawn and
> not risk losing the lawn?  Should I cover the area?  Any suggestions
> on seed/soil/fertilizer/lime, etc.?

You can probably start mid-end September...just as the hot weather ends 
and the cold hasn't set in. You won't get significant coverage but it 
should be green before November. I did it once with no problem but it 
needed some TLC for bare patches in the spring.

I'd highly recommend you use white clover (some recommend white dutch 
clover specifically). The clover resists weeds, cinch bug and drought. 
It also doesn't grow tall so you don't mow as often. You should be able 
to get it at the Co-op on Topsail Road (I got some at Gaze but it turns 
out some of the seed was red clover...ugh!). The white clover costs a 
little more than regular seed but you don't use it as thickly as regular 
seed.

I find I get the best results when I put the seed down first then put 
the soil on top...no mixing. All you end up doing is exposing the seeds 
to the birds. Don't worry...the seeds will sprout in the direction of 
the sun). You don't need a spreader. Just drop it chicken feed style (no 
chickens required)...the clover will fill in nicely and you can seed 
again next spring.

You really shouldn't fertilize a new lawn until you've cut it at least 
three times....so that will happen next spring/summer. Make sure you use 
regular fertilizer cause a weed-n-feed of any sort might kill the clover 
(that is...if you can even get weed-n-feed anymore). My lawn is about 
half clover now and I haven't had to fertilize it at all this year. It's 
lush and healthy.

You can lime at any time of the year...but separate liming and 
fertilizing by three weeks. So, if you get some growth before November, 
get some pelletized lime and spread it (you guessed it) chicken feed 
style (no chickens required).

You don't really have to worry about losing the lawn. What doesn't grow 
now can be seeded in the spring and what does grow will survive the 
winter. If you were trying to decide between now and the spring, I'd 
suggest waiting until the spring just because it means you do all the 
work once and it's done....but if you want something besides gravel in 
front of the house then starting now isn't a problem...with some TLC in 
the spring.

Oh...and make sure the lawn is watered by you or Mother Nature until it 
has sprouted across the lawn (~3 weeks)...then water every second day 
for a couple more weeks then water as necessary. Lack of watering is one 
the biggest reasons why new lawns don't thrive.

  ..

-- 

We must change the way we live,
    or the climate will do it for us.