Lawn seeding, or overseeding, is the process of seeding the grass of your lawn. The process is a simple concept, yet a complex execution. The biggest factors to success in seeding a lawn are preparation and knowledge of the process.
Professional lawn care services are well-versed in the specifics of cultivating and nurturing a lawn. The pH levels of the soil must be within an exact range to promote the healthy and proper growth of grass. The soil will need to be tilled, rocks and roots removed, the pH levels adjusted, seeds planted, sand and topsoil evenly distributed, and the lawn will need to be watered appropriately.
An aesthetically pleasing lawn—as well as a healthy lawn—is something that all homeowners want. For those not informed on the process and steps required to nurture a lawn, it is always recommended to hire a professional service.
Lawn care professionals know the ins and outs of crafting and maintaining a vibrant green lawn. They will do the work to ensure the lawn grows properly and inform the homeowners of the proper methods to take care of the lawn.
The fall is the best time to seed a lawn for those living in the North. The air is cooler, and the soil is still warm. Fewer weeds grow in the fall and give the grass the best chance at success. Spring is also a good time to seed, though not as productive as the fall.
For the South, late spring to mid-summer is the optimal time to seed a lawn. The warmer soil temperatures aid the growth of warm-season grass.
For most lawn care needs, it is highly advised to hire professional help with lawn seeding. The soil must be in certain conditions for seeding to take effect. Removing the old parts of the lawn before reseeding the new growth is crucial. A sod cutter is used for this step and one can be rented for a daily charge, but lawn care professionals will already have this tool.
The pH levels–measures acidity and alkalinity–of the soil must be optimal for seeds to grow. Cooler climates experience soil that is too acidic and requires lime to bring the pH up. Peat moss is needed to soil that is only slightly alkaline, and sulfur is needed for very alkaline soil—usually found in hot, dry climates.
All rocks and roots must be removed from the lawn or the soil will not seed properly and cause uneven growth—if growth takes place. Any holes created from digging up rocks and roots will need to be filled with topsoil, then the soil needs to be tilled.
Sand and compost must be evenly distributed across the lawn—sand first then compost. After this, the pH levels must be attuned with lime, peat moss, or sulfur, depending on which are needed. Some lawns will need more than one of each in different sections.
The soil must be raked with a metal rake, grass seeds spread across the soil, then racked again but with a plastic rake. The soil will be needed to be watered diligently following these steps. For the first eight to ten days the soil needs to be watered two to three times daily for five to ten minutes each time. Overwatering can wash away the seeds and ruin the process.
Finally, after the grass has sprouted, water once a day—in the morning to avoid fungal diseases—for fifteen to thirty minutes.
Seeding a lawn is a process that requires many exact steps to be taken for certain beneficial conditions to be met.
Seeding a lawn comes with the benefit of overseeing the entire growth process of the grass—from germination to full development. Lawn seeding is cheaper than sod and the process is not as rigorous. The varieties of grass can be chosen and attuned to the conditions of location and environment. Seeding a lawn allows the grass to grow where it has rooted and germinated. Healthy root systems will take place and grasses can grow undisturbed.
Lawn seeding requires proper conditions for the greatest chance at growing a healthy lawn. Depending on where you are located, the season of being seeding is different. Lawn seeding is also a relatively slow development—as lawns can require ten to twelve weeks before they can handle traffic over them.
Monitoring the watering of the lawn is crucial and can be time-consuming. Weather conditions—like heavy rain—can hamper the development of seeding and even negate it altogether. Weeds can siphon valuable nutrients from the grass seeds, and one full growing season is required to ensure a lawn develops into a mature and dense enough state.
Sod is pre-grown grass that is installed in strips across a lawn. The old grass needs to be removed and the lawn must be prepared before installation and the soil exposed.
Beds of grass are grown before being transplanted to the lawn. Sod is carefully harvested and maintained before transplanting takes place. Sod has a thin layer of soil attached to the roots of the grass that allows the sod to be moved from its initial growth area to a new location.
While there are seasons that are better to lay sod—fall and spring—the fact that nearly any season works means that lawn care services operate nearly year-round to lay sod for customers. The process is more complicated than seeding and hiring a professional service would be a good idea.
The best time to sod a lawn is early to mid-fall. During this point of the season, the temperatures have cooled, but grass continues to grow. Spring is a good time to sod as well, but the best benefit to sodding is that nearly any time of year will work to lay down sod.
Since sod is installed in strips, the measurements of the lawn needed to be taken to know how much sod—and the lengths and widths—is needed.
Rocks, stones, and any other debris need to be removed from the lawn. Things smaller than two to three inches can stay, but the rest must be cleared out.
The lawn must be rough graded to eliminate drainage issues. The soil will need to be tilled with a depth of at least two inches, then topsoil can be laid down if needed.
Like seeding, sodding a lawn requires the soil to be within a specific pH level range. However, the requirements for sodding are less strict. Phosphate heavy starter fertilizer will be lightly mixed in with the top two to three inches of soil.
When laying the sod stripes, lay them in a straight line. Sod can be placed just as a rug would be and rolled out over the lawn.
The sod needs to be aligned tightly—strip to strip—and a large knife can be used to cut the sod around trees, edges, driveway, walkways, and other areas. Smooth out bumps or air pockets to ensure the sod is meeting the soil.
The sod needs to be watered about twenty minutes after the first strip is laid and should be soaked in about an inch of water. Drier areas need to be watered more often.
Sodding can be a time-consuming process and can take several days to complete—depending on the size of the lawn. Professional lawn care services are experienced in sodding and can generally complete the job quickly.
Sod is grown by sod farmers and requires no initial growing by the lawn owner. The sod is transplanted from the farm to the new lawn. The initial requirements for growing the sod are handled by the farmers allowing the lawn owner to begin with a pre-grown lawn. Sodding a lawn can negate initial weather or environmental conditions that would otherwise prevent a healthy lawn from taking root.
The first noticeable difference between seeding and sodding is the price. Sodding is more expensive to install than buying seeds. Sodding is a more rigorous task than seeding and incorrect installations can lead to poor lawns and undesirable lawn appearance.
Sodding is restricted in grass choices as the farmers choose the grass types. Sod is often grown under full sun, so lawns that have more shade can make lawn growth difficult for sod. Sod also must be kept fresh, meaning that after harvest, it needs to be transplanted quickly—usually within 24 hours.
Varying environment and weather conditions affect the best course of action to take for lawn growth and subsequent care. The choice is always up to the lawn owner, but professionals can provide expert advice, bring the knowledge of how to properly seed or sod a lawn, and ensure that the lawn is given the best care.