It’s been a tough summer to take care of the lawn to say the least. Endless heat waves have left many of us wondering How much should you water your gardenand if you can’t follow through with the order, the result will be dead weed all over the place and crabgrass Abundance. Many lawns have now been left with ugly bald patches of soil scattered as far as the eye can see.
While you might think that learning How to plant weed seeds The answer is, overmoistening may be the best approach if you’re dealing with patches of bare soil. Autumn provides ideal conditions for overtaking, but with winter approaching, your window closes quickly and you need to act fast if you want to cover those spots and grow in time to survive. Here’s what you need to know about outgrowing your garden in the fall.
When should you overwater your garden in the fall?
It’s best to do this in early fall, between mid-August and early October – so there’s still plenty of time to repair your yard. The main event you want to avoid is the first frost as you will perish any seedlings.
The type of grass seed you sew can make a difference in the best soil conditions, too; Cool season grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass, prefers temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while warm season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, prefers temperatures no lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can use a basic soil thermometer to check conditions, such as a soil thermometer for urban worms ($10.29, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)). For this reason, you are better off mulching warm season grasses early in the year, from late spring to early summer.
While you might think that the rest of the summer heat will provide ideal growing conditions, don’t overdo this time. Weed seeds are fragile and actually prefer moist conditions and low temperatures to germinate. So, if you are still experiencing the last stages of dehydration, stop overeating. Because moisture is preferred, it’s also best to do this a day or two after it rains, but keep in mind that you want the soil to be moist, not saturated.
It is also a good practice to water your garden once it has been aerated. Better air circulation and access to nutrients in the soil gives weed seeds a better chance of growing. Additionally, if the seeds land in puncture holes, they have a better chance of retaining moisture. See our guide to How to aerate the lawn For complete instructions on this topic.
There should be fewer weeds this time of year (another reason that overseeding is ideal in the fall), but you’ll want to remove any remaining weeds before overseeding. Weed roots are strong and dominant – they will lead to an excess of nutrients in the soil, hampering the growth of grass seedlings.
Check out our guides on How to get rid of dandelion And the How to get rid of crabs For specific instructions. Be careful in places where seed heads have formed on weeds before removing them; If these weeds scatter upon removal, there may be more weeds appearing next season. We recommend Grandpa’s Weeder daily weeding program ($39.99, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)). Be careful if you plan to use any herbicides as they often kill weed seeds; Always read the label to be sure.
How do you supervise the lawn?
1. Choose the right grass seed – Before anything else, make sure you are planting the correct type of grass seed to match the rest of your garden. Cool-season grasses are often found in the North, while warm-season grasses are frequent in the South. If in doubt, consult an expert at your local department store.
2. Mow your garden – When it comes to overgrowing, the first step is to mow the lawn to a lower height. Cut it down to about 1.5-2 inches in length.
3. Take off the dead grass – Take a rake to your garden afterward to remove any dead grass. You might think this makes things look worse, but this makes room for the seeds to get into the soil.
4. Check the soil – Check your soil conditions using a soil test and add amendments as necessary to improve its habitability. We recommend the Luster Leaf 1602 Soil Test Kit ($13.07, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)).
5. Lawn aeration – Now you want to aerate the lawn to give the soil a new lease of life. This will loosen and circulate the soil, allowing for better air and nutrients circulation, so it’s an important step.
6. Exceeding the limit – Apply weed seeds by hand or with a spreader to the areas where you want new growth. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions according to the label. If you ventilate your garden, aim to spread the seeds through the remaining holes. We recommend the Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcasting Device ($44.90, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)).
7. Fertilizer application – Now that the weed seeds are in place, you will need to give them all the help they can get including fertilizer. Apply fertilizers designed to help young grass grow, such as Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass ($22.99, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)).
8. Water regularly – When the grass is young, it is brittle and will require constant moisture to aid in its growth. The soil will need to be watered once or twice a day to begin with, but keep in mind that you want moist, not saturated, conditions. It can take 1-3 weeks for the weed seeds to germinate, so be patient and continue to care for them. Once the grass reaches 1-2 inches in height, you can cut back on how often you water.
How often should you supervise the lawn?
The answer to this largely depends on environmental conditions. If severe weather, such as frequent droughts, takes a heavy toll, the lawn may need to be oversized annually to keep up with the damage. However, in most cases, overfeeding will only be necessary every two years. Basically, if you notice that your lawn is looking thin and worse than eroding, that’s a sign that it’s time to get rid of it.
For more lawn tips, tricks and how-tos, check out our guides on how to plant grass seed, how to make your lawn greener, how to strip your lawn, how often to fertilize your lawn, when to do it, how to lay a fool, 7 common lawn care mistakes Maybe you’re committing it now, that’s when you should stop mowing your lawn in the winter and read about 7 ways to revive dead grass.
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