Choosing grass seed
There are two factors to consider when choosing a grass seed – climate and usage.
Climate
Warm and cool climates have different varieties of grass that thrive there. Usually your local supplier will only stock the type suited to your region so this isn’t something you have to worry about, but if buying from a distance via the internet you will need to make sure you get the right type. Read the rest of this entry »
pH Levels – Soil Acidity and Alkalinity
Lawn grasses prefer neutral or slightly acidic conditions with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A kit from your local garden supply store or bought online can give you a rough idea of your soil conditions. It is also possible to send away a sample to a lab to have tested more accurately but this isn’t usually worth it unless you want to do things absolutely right. Test from a few spots if possible, the pH isn’t always the same across the whole lawn and it might even need correcting for both acid AND alkaline conditions at different ends. Ideally you would also test it each year as the pH can change over time.
Seeding a Lawn
When should I be seeding a lawn?
Early spring and fall tend to be the best time for seeding a lawn but in the right situations you can sow grass at any time of year. However seedlings trying to grow in a hot summer or harsh winter may need a lot more care than usual if they germinate at all.
In terms of temperature grass seed can germinate between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (7 and 18 degrees Celsius). Different varieties can be sold as warm and cool season at each end of that range but check the packaging to make sure. Ground temperature is a few degrees below air temperature so sowing a lawn is possible during a cool summer or very mild winter. A heavily shaded lawn may tolerate sowing in warmer temperatures as long as you are careful about watering.
Heavy rain should be avoided if it can be predicted or unless your soil has good drainage. Ideal soil for germination should be damp but crumbly.