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Fall Lawn Renovation Offers a Jump On Spring |
By Carl Wilson, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
horticulturist,
In addition to cool temperatures, water is
required on a daily basis for successful seed germination. If water restrictions limit
your ability to water several times daily, seeding is not an option and sodding should
then be considered. In cool weather, sod requires watering once every two to three days
until it’s established, a process that takes 2 - 3 weeks. If water restrictions in
your area include an early cutoff date for lawn watering, the chances of winter survival
for newly seeded or sodded lawns are reduced.
In addition to lawns thinned by drought, other
candidates for renovation include lawns plagued by winterkill and those suffering from too
much shade and thus requiring a change to a more shade tolerant turf type.
Consider three possibilities in deciding whether
to renovate or totally replace the lawn.
Slightly thin lawns with few weeds will greatly benefit from late season fertilization, the most important fertilizer application of the year. Renovation likely is not needed. Adequate fertilization increases lawn density and helps lawns resist weed invasion. Along the Front Range, fertilize in late September or early October while the grass remains green. This fertilization will increase winter survival, promote early spring green up and increase lawn density in the spring. At least one irrigation following fertiliztion is desirable.
If fifty percent of the lawn is grass, renovation through overseeding the existing turf may be feasible. Seed can be of the same grass species or a compatible one.
In cases with very thin or weed infested turf, complete replacement may be necessary following the procedures used for seeding or sodding a new lawn including thorough soil preparation.
Renovation
procedure
The
renovation procedure will vary with the amount and type of weeds. Annual or easy to kill
broadleaf weeds can be selectively removed from remaining grass by hand or with a 2,4-D,
dandelion-type herbicide. Renovation overseeding can follow after weeds have died. Allow 2
to 4 weeks after using 2,4-D herbicides before seeding (be sure to read and follow label
directions.) Broadleaf weeds such as thistle
or bindweed will likely require several applications of an herbicide specific for
hard-to-kill broadleaf weeds. In this case, consider fall as the weed control period in
preparation for spring seeding.
Do's and Don'ts of Fall Seeding: |
Do seed bluegrass, ryegrass or fine
fescue into bluegrass.
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Don't seed tall fescue into
a bluegrass lawn.
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Don't seed bluegrass, tall fescue or
ryegrass into a buffalograss lawn.
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Don't seed
buffalograss into a bluegrass, ryegrass or tall fescue lawn.
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Don't seed
buffalograss, blue grama or other warm season grasses in fall or spring, only in summer
warmth.
|
Seed will only germinate where it contacts soil. Don't simply overseed an unprepared lawn surface of grass leaves or thatch. One method of preparation involves using a core aerator or slit seed machine (these can be rented at many garden or home centers) to expose the soil and help create good seed contact. Seed falls in the holes where it is protected from drying and is more likely to germinate.
Frequent,
light waterings (as many as two to four times a day), are necessary to germinate seed. The
frequency will depend on daily high temperatures and the amount of sun and wind. Waterings
may be required for only one or two minutes per application.
The purpose of these short but frequent waterings is to keep the top 1/4
inch of soil moist so germinating seeds don't dry out and die. Germination may take two
weeks depending on temperatures and grass species.
Once seed has
germinated, gradually cut back on the frequency of watering to twice weekly. Weed seeds
are likely to germinate, but don't spray herbicides that can injure young grass until the
area is mowed 5-6 times. Hand pull weeds if needed. Begin mowing when the grass is 3
inches tall and mow to a height of between 2 to 3 inches.
Although
seeded areas may appear sparse at first, density will increase as grass blades grow and
fill out. Note that seeding should be done by the end of September on the
If lawns are
sufficiently thin and weedy to require replacement, sodding is an option to consider as an
alternative to seeding the entire area. Before laying sod, consider whether the weeds
growing on the site will be a problem. Tenacious
perennial weeds such as thistle and bindweed can punch through and prosper in new sod.
Take the time to repeatedly treat and eliminate these weeds with systemic glyphosate type
herbicides to kill the roots before laying sod. Heavy weed infestations may require a fall
weed treatment program to be followed by later sodding.
Cool-season,
bluegrass sod may be laid in all but the coldest months of the year. In
Take
advantage of the complete replacement to prepare the soil thoroughly. Poor soil conditions
are the primary cause of lawn failure in
Prepare soils by thoroughly mixing in a minimum of 4 cubic yards of organic soil amendment per 1,000 square feet of soil. Use amendments such as sphagnum peat, compost or well-rotted manure. Mix this in to the top 6 inches of soil. A better option in tight clay soils is to double the amount of soil amendment and incorporate it at a 12-inch depth using special deep ripping equipment. See the fact sheet on Choosing a Soil Amendment or request it from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office in your county.
After
installation water the sod thoroughly and repeat every 2 to 3 days in cooler weather (more
frequently in warm weather) for 2 – 3 weeks. Check
moisture in the sod and soil beneath before watering to avoid under or over-watering. Sod
should knit, or begin to root, into the site soil within 2 weeks. Gradually cut back on
watering after this by increasing the number of days between applications. Also, plan to
winter water on a monthly basis during dry winters.
More information on seeding, sodding and renovating lawns can be found on the Colorado State University turf Web page Newlawns.
While renovation or replacement work in September will add to your list of fall chores, the reward next spring of a lush and healthy lawn will make it all worthwhile.
Photo: Judy Sedbrook
