Many homeowners have lawns that are less than perfect. Some lawns have bare spots and overall appear to be thin. In the heat of summer, lawns can quickly begin to die. Perhaps your lawn is not as green as it once was. In most cases, lawn problems with a lawn are caused by the timing of how the lawn is cared for and the soil that the grass is growing in. Most homeowners provide adequate care for their lawns and have decent soil. However, when these two aspects are provided in the wrong time of year, the results can be mediocre at best. There is a time and season for everything, and for grass, there is a better time for establishing than others.
Wait until your grass is actively growing. Homeowners typically start to fix up their lawn when they can see problems with their grass. By the time most homeowners start to fix up their lawn, it is already too late. The growing period of grass is split up into two seasons: the cool season grasses and the warm season grasses, and each has their own time for optimal establishment.
Understanding seasonal growth patterns
There are 2 seasons that Cool-Season Grasses grow: Spring and Fall. In the Spring the grass grows fast as it starts to warm up and there is usually a lot of rain. In the Fall the grass grows fast also as it starts to cool down and there is usually a lot of rain. The grass grows very slow in the summer as it is usually hot. In the winter the grass goes dormant as it is too cold for the grass to start growing again.
Warm-season grasses are at their best during the warmer months. These grasses are active during the long days of summer and go dormant during the winter. As with the cool-season grasses, the optimal time for planting warm-season grasses is in the late spring to early summer when the weather begins to warm up and the soil temperature starts to rise. For example, knowing the best time to plant buffalo grass is in the late spring to early summer. In most areas of the country, the months of April, May and June are perfect for seeding a new lawn of buffalo grass. This allows the grass to take full advantage of the warmer weather and the long days of summer to start growing and establishing a strong root system.
When planting a new lawn with a cool-season grass, fall is the best time to put in a new lawn. The new grass will have time to grow a deep and extensive root system before summer arrives and the temperatures begin to rise. Warm-season grasses have their two peak growing periods: in the spring and summer. Planting new warm-season grass in late spring to early summer allows the grass to establish itself before the beginning of the next growing season. For example, the ideal time for planting new buffalo grass is between April and June. This allows the grass to take advantage of the warm temperatures and grow as much as possible before winter. Soil temperature is typically within the ideal germination range of 65°F to 75°F in the late spring. The grass will have the entire season to put down a deep and sturdy root system.
Soil temperature versus air temperature
Most people incorrectly base when to plant their grass off of the air temperature. The key to proper lawn establishment is to determine when the soil is at the correct temperature to promote seed germination and the development of a strong root system. To figure this out, you can obtain a soil thermometer and take readings 2-3″ deep in the soil over the course of 3-4 days. The ideal soil temperature for grass seed germination is between 50-65°F for
When it comes to planting lawn seed, it is far more important to measure the soil temperature than it is to look at the air temperature. As the seasons change, the soil temperature will increase and then decrease. The change in soil temperature will be about 2-4 weeks behind the change in air temperature. The ideal soil temperature for germination of cool-season grasses is between 50-65°F. For warm-season grasses, the ideal soil temperature for germination is 65-70°F or above. To determine the soil temperature, use a soil thermometer that is inserted into the soil about 2-3 inches deep. It is recommended to take daily readings for several days to obtain accurate results.
Determine the soil temperature for optimal seed germination by inserting a soil thermometer two to three inches into the soil and allow the thermometer to come to equilibrium over several days. You will then have a soil temperature to work with when planning your lawn seed planting in relation to the air temperature.
The soil temperature gradually increases throughout the spring, slowly rising above 50 degrees F in early spring and remaining there for a few weeks before increasing to above 55 degrees F and then above 60 degrees F in late spring. In late spring the air temperature can be 70 degrees F or above, but the soil is still too cool for the optimal germination of cool-season grasses, therefore early spring is not the ideal time for lawn installation of these types of grasses.
Regional timing variations
Northern Lawn Planting- Fall. The growing season is shorter and the winters are longer in the northern part of the country. So you have to compress your planting time in the fall. The ideal time for planting cool-season grasses in the north is early September. This allows for 6-8 weeks of ideal growing weather before the first frost.
For warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass, it is best to plant grass in late spring through early summer when the soil temperature reaches 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. In warmer climates, it is recommended to plant grass as late in the growing season as possible to avoid excessive growth before winter. In Northern climates, it is best to start early enough in the season to allow time for the grass to establish before the first freeze. Cool-season grasses like fescue can be planted in Northern climates as early as late August for optimal growth before winter. In Southern states, late October to early November is still suitable for planting cool-season grasses. The beginning of growth for warm-season grasses does not vary as dramatically by region as for cool-season grasses.
Preparation timing for maximum success
It is also very important to realize just how long it will take for your new lawn to establish itself. Typically most types of grass can establish a new lawn within a time frame of anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. However if you know just how long it is going to take for your lawn to establish itself then you will help you prepare for the transition from your old lawn to your new one.
Preparation of the soil should begin approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the planting date to start to test the soil, as well as to make any amendments to the soil to bring up the pH as necessary to add organic matter to improve the soil’s structure. If you are using lime, you will need to apply it at least 6 weeks prior to planting as it takes a few weeks for the lime to start to affect the pH of the soil as well as for the full effect of the lime to kick in. Organic matter can be added to the soil and can be incorporated into the soil approximately 4-6 weeks prior to planting as well.
Removing an existing lawn whether using herbicide or physical removal of the lawn allows 2-3 weeks for the new lawn to be installed. This allows time for the soil to settle and for any herbicide to have dissipated from the soil.
See also: What are the best home comfort upgrades for elderly family members?
Weather considerations
A whole host of things can happen and for the best results in planting your new lawn you need to ensure that you allow for some flexibility in your schedule. If you allow a period of 4 to 6 weeks before you intend to plant your new lawn then you will have ample time to get the necessary work done. So by the time you have planted your new lawn and it has begun to establish itself then the weather shouldn’t be a major problem. In addition, as previously mentioned in the main article if you are going
Waiting a few weeks to begin your lawn upgrade and to have your irrigation system set up prior to planting will serve you well in planting a healthy, beautiful lawn. Monitor the extended weather forecast for unusual weather and be prepared to put off planting for a few weeks if needed. A few weeks delay in planting is far better than a failed establishment of the new lawn.
Post-installation timing factors
In order to properly establish your new lawn it is recommended that it is looked after for a minimum period of 6 to 12 weeks after it has been planted. Watering the new lawn on a regular basis is the main part of this period as well as allowing it to establish its own before using it. Keep people off the lawn as much as possible and avoid the use of any type of fertilizer for a period of at least 6 months. Plan your lawn planting upgrade around the time of year that will allow you enough time to properly establish it.
Many factors can occur to a newly seeded lawn within weeks after seeding, and it is said that the first thirty days of a new lawn is critical in the lawn’s life to thrive. To allow a newly seeded lawn to establish itself optimally, the most important action you can take is to provide adequate water for the lawn throughout the period.
Timing your lawn upgrade is key to creating a lawn of the highest quality. Understanding the growth cycle of your grass, and the timing of when to do lawn preparation and after-planting maintenance, will result in a great lawn.
By
