raydillon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> On Sep 4, 11:30 pm, cloud dreamer <S...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> raydil...@[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.
>
> Thanks for this advice. On the issue of "clover", this is a lawn that
> will be used heavily by young children-can clover stand up to this
> activity?
>
Funny you should ask that. I was looking at the lawn the other day...and
the half of the lawn where the clover is established is also the area
that gets the most traffic from me. I always take a shortcut to my car
from my walkway and I walk straight across the lawn to my greenhouse all
the time...and the clover is in perfect shape. When the grass was there,
I could remember a 'trail' leading from my walkway to the car. After a
summer of use, there is no evidence of the high traffic trails.
So, I'm guessing it'll hold up really well.
..
--
We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.
|
