September 2012 News
Why Overseeding Your Turf is Beneficial
With drought plaguing much of the Midwest, this is an ideal time for landscape professionals to assess the condition of the lawns they maintain. After several years, mature plants begin to slow down their reproduction rate. Since a blade of grass lives only an average of 45 to 60 days, production of new tillers must continually out pace the dieback of older leaves. Young grass will produce tillers faster than older grass. Therefore, one of the most important secrets to maintaining a healthy, thick lawn is to make sure your grass is young.
When is the Right Time for Overseeding Lawns?
Overseeding lawns consisting of Cool season grasses should be done in late summer or early fall. There are many reasons for this. With fall germination, the young grass will have two or three months to become better established before temperatures drop too low and growth stops. Next spring, the young plants will have another few months to develop deeper roots before the summer heat sets in. This is the primary reason, but there are also other reasons for overseeding lawns in the fall. Below are a few:
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Overseeding lawns in fall reduces or eliminates competition from summer weedy grasses, such as crabgrass, foxtails, and other weeds. |
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Soil temperatures are still warm in the fall, which is necessary for seed germination, while the cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. |
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Rain amounts and soil moisture is generally better in the fall. |
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Overseeding lawns in the fall gives the grass a head start. The roots have become established before winter, which greatly reduces crop loss should you have a hot, dry spring. |
National Seed's Recommended Seed Mixes for Overseeding
FIELD OF DREAMS™ RE-SEEDER MIXTURE
25% NUCHICAGO KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
25% FREEDOM 3 KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
25% MONTEREY 2 OR LA QUINTA PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
25% TOP GUN OR REVENGE GLX PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
IF NECESSARY, IMPROVED BLUEGRASSES OR
RYEGRASSES MAY BE USED AS SUBS.
FIELD OF DREAMS™ ATHLETIC TURF MIXTURE
30% GOALKEEPER OR MONTEREY 2 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
30% TOP GUN OR IMPROVED PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
20% NUCHICAGO OR IMPROVED KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
20% FREEDOM 3 OR IMPROVED KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
GREENSKEEPERS GLAMOUR MIXTURE
30% KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS 98/85
30% CREEPING RED FESCUE
40% CONTAINING 2 TURF-TYPE PERENNIAL RYEGRASSES To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
Penn Mulch Seed Accelerator
A unique seedling establishment mulch with Moisture Cell Technology(TM) and starter fertilizer. Penn Mulch maintains moisture at the seed bed improving germination.
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To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
Pro Ap Starter Fertilizer
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total Nitrogen(N)............................................................ 9.00%
7.02% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
1.98% Urea Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5)..................................18.00%
Soluble Potash (K2O)..................................................9.00%
Chlorine (Cl) Max...........................................................7.65%
To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
Contact your sales rep for more information:
Tom Breier: tom.breier@natseed.com #630-417-9054
Tim Breier: tim.breier@natseed.com #630-417-9056
Dan Breier: dan.breier@natseed.com #630-417-9055
Mark Breier: mark.breier@natseed.com #630-417-9057
Gerry Hough: gerry.hough@natseed.com #630-327-6551
Kevin Spiller: kevin.spiller@natseed.com #630-903-5240
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