November 2012 News
Dormant Seeding Lawns: Last Chore of the Season?
One last shot at lawn improvement can be done even yet this fall. By early November, most lawn care chores and activities are completed; lawn mowers are put away, watering has ended, hoses are drained and stored for the winter, irrigation systems have been blown out and winterized and, the last, late season nitrogen fertilizer has been put down. Yet, there remains one activity that can still be done to help repair or thicken the lawn for next year. In fact, prior to the early part of November, it would be having been too early to do this task. That task is known as dormant seeding. It is best employed when wanting to reseed bare soil areas or help thicken up thin lawns. It is not as effective, where lawns are thick and dense with little opportunity to achieve the good seed to soil contact necessary for the grass seeds to germinate and grow next spring.
The Dormant Seeding Process
Dormant seeding involves putting down seed while the ground is not frozen, yet cold enough so germination of the grass seed will not occur until next spring when the soils begin to warm. In fact, seeds that do germinate late in the season often do not survive the winter because the very young, immature seedlings have a difficult time surviving those harsh conditions. Other than the time of year of dormant seeding, the actual process of preparing the area to be seeded is virtually identical to establishing grass from seed at other times of the year.
What to Expect for Next Spring
The degree of success from your dormant seeding efforts will depend on the overwintering conditions afforded to the newly seeded areas. In most cases, the seed is best protected when we receive snowfall(s) that will cover and protect those areas during fluctuating weather conditions often experienced during an Illinois winter. Even with good preparation, it may still be necessary to do some overseeding in the spring in those areas where little grass emerges. If the newly seeded areas appear to be a little thin, you shouldn't necessarily feel your fall efforts were a failure, as it is quite common to have to do a little additional reseeding in the spring. However, do allow enough time for the seeds to come up the following spring. Don't be too hasty to get in and start tearing things up; you just may be destroying all of the good work done the previous fall.
For those of you who postponed doing some lawn seeding earlier last summer, consider doing some dormant seeding yet this fall. It may be just the ticket to give you and your lawn a jump start next spring.
To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
[top]
Safeguard Your Evergreens
Why Anti-Desiccant Spray?
Anti-desiccant spray applied in the fall coats the foliage of your plants with this layer of organic "sealant" to help the plants resist the drying power of winter winds and conserve the moisture vital to their good health.
Properly applied, a winter protection spray will safeguard your valuable plants through the cold months and gradually break down as warm weather approaches and your trees and shrubs begin spring growth.
Desiccation damage is always greater during the winters that are relatively dry, very cold and windy. The landscape plants that are especially at risk are those that are planted in open and unprotected spots where winds are not broken by buildings or other plants. To safeguard your landscape.
To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
[top]
National Seed's New Commercial Strength Ice Melt
Blue crystals help provide efficient application and even ice melting. Melts ice and snow to -15 degrees. Safe for use on treated wood and concrete.
• |
Designed for Illinois' Harshest Winter Conditions |
• |
Contains RUSH Speed Enhancing Additive |
• |
Dyed Blue For Ease of Application |
To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
[top]
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
|