Fall Seeding For Oh-So-Lovely Lawns All Year Long!

Ever wondered how those beautifully green, gorgeously landscaped lawns in and around the Triangle came to be? According to Kurt Nitschke of Pope Landscaping & Irrigation Company and longtime North Raleigh lawn and landscape professional Joe Newsome, the basics for picturesque yards are typically executed in the fall with year-round attention and maintenance, resulting in the oohs and aahs of neighbors and passersby.

“Most Triangle lawns are seeded in the fall for lasting beauty,” says Nitschke. “That’s because the majority of lawns in the Triangle are seeded with fescue, a cool season grass. Although fescue can be seeded or sodded practically anytime of the year, in our climate fall is the optimal time. Warm days and cool nights are most favorable for planting or installing fescue.”

“Triangle residents like fescue lawns for a variety of reasons,” Nitschke continues. “It stays relatively green all year long; it’s not a ‘creeping’ type of grass, meaning it’s not invasive to plant beds and/or natural areas; and it can be grown in a variety of soil types with minimal soil preparation.”

“Growing grass in the Triangle requires patience, diligence, and understanding local growing conditions,” says Newsome. “Agriculturally, our area is considered a ‘transition zone,’ meaning cool season grasses, such as fescue and bluegrass, as well as warm season grasses, such as bermuda and centipede, can be grown here. However, warm season grasses go dormant, or turn brown, in the winter. Most Triangle homeowners want green lawns year round.”

How to get started creating a lush, green lawn

“First, you prep your soil,” says Nitschke. “If your existing grass is not looking good, you should perform a soil test to see what nutrients are deficient in your soil.”

The Agronomic Services Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers a free standard soil test to North Carolina residents. Soil testing fosters plant growth by providing optimal lime and fertilizer recommendations, promotes environmental quality, and as Nitschke mentioned, diagnoses nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. For more information, call 919-733-2655 or visit www.ncagr.com/agronomi/.

Soil testing should ideally take place a few months before initiating any new landscaping. If the test report recommends lime, for example, you’ll need to have enough time to apply it and have it adjust the soil pH before you plant. Mid-August through mid-September is an ideal time to test soil for cool season grasses, according to the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

To till or not to till

The next important step in creating a beautiful lawn is to till or aerate.

“In preparation for seeding, the ground should be aerated to insure seed to soil contact,” says Newsome. “Hard, bare areas should be roto-tilled for best results.”
“Fescue should be seeded in bare areas at 6 – 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet,” Newsome continues. “In areas with existing grass, fescue should be seeded at 3 – 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. It’s important to know the square footage of your lawn (its length times its width) to purchase and use the correct amount of seed.” Fescue seed typically germinates in 7 – 14 days when watered regularly.

When and how to water

“Weather conditions will determine the amount of watering required, but you usually want to water your yard twice a day until the seed germinates,” says Nitschke. “After germination, water once daily for approximately two weeks; then every other day for the next four to five weeks. Again, weather plays an important part, as well as the water restrictions for your town.”

“As I’m sure everyone is fully aware, ‘The Great Drought’ of 2007 (that’s lingered into 2008) prompted water restrictions throughout the Triangle,” says Newsome. “Pay attention to the water restrictions for your area; watering on the wrong days can lead to fines.”

Sodding your lawn vs. seeding

“Although it’s more expensive, many home owners like sod because it provides instant beauty,” says Nitschke. “It gives immediate value to a property, and it can solve site problems, such as erosion, because it won’t wash away like seed can.”

“Soil preparation is very important prior to lying sod,” Newsome adds. “Soft soil is imperative in order for sod to root.”

As with seeding, sod requires frequent watering until its root structure becomes embedded in the sub-soil. Watering costs with each method are approximately equal.

One long-term factor to consider in deciding on seeding versus sodding is how your landscape might change with time. If you envision areas of your lawn as future plant beds, garden areas, or natural areas, sodding can be an expensive route, since areas of sod would be destroyed to make room for other landscaping systems. Your budget and the extent of the immediacy of your desire for a green lawn will help you with this decision.

Whatever you decide, both seeding and sodding methods of lawn establishment require attention and care, whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or you choose to contract with a lawncare/landscape professional for help.

Irrigation and fertilization programs will enhance your lawn’s appearance and increase the chances of success with either method.

For More Information

In addition to the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a great resource for free information on creating and maintaining beautiful lawns is the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Based at North Carolina’s two land-grant institutions, NC State University and NC A&T State University, this organization offers educational programs, publications, and events to North Carolina residents. For more information, visit www.ces.ncsu.edu.

So as the crisp, cool breeze of fall begins to rustle the Triangle’s brilliantly dressed trees, get outside and take stock of your yard… You have plenty of resources available to help you make it look great!       

REBECCA NEWSOME, MIRM, IS A FREELANCE WRITER