Expert: Greg - 3/24/2006

Question
After many years of doing patch work lawn repair  I find myself looking for new direction this year. I have many bare spots, I have added new loom (last year) and the seeds never really took. I Live in New England , need a suggestion on a quality seed and fert to get me started this year. Also when is the best time of year to apply the Fert you are about to recomend?

Answer
Hello Chris


I suspect that the new Loom that was added may have issues.

As with your children, if they say they are sick, you would do more investigating. Feel their Foreheads, take their temperature etc. A soil test will tell you exactly what is wrong with it. These tests are inexpensive, and will save you the countless hours of Frustration.

With that in mind, any recommendation for a Fertilizer would be a crap shoot, it may even compound the problem, you may have too much of a good thing in the soil.


There are a few good quality seed mixes on the market, do NOT skimp on quality here, insist on the best. Scotts seed, and Vigaro are available at your local Home Depot.

Turn the Bag over and look at the contents, you should have a Blend of at least 3 different seed mixtures. 2 different Hybrid Bluegrasses, along with a Fescue should offer a broad spectrum of what will adapt to your lawn. One of these wills dominate when established. Bluegrasses take 21-28 days to germinate, so what you see the soonest should be the Fescue, which takes 10-14 days. If there is a Ryegrass in the mixture, that's OK too, they germinate in as little as 7 days, and will stop erosion of the soil till the other grasses establish.


Now what also may happen is that this NEW area will not blend in with what you already have established. This can be cured with what is called Overseeing. The established area can be mowed to a height of 1/2". Soil is then spread over the area and the new seed is applied.


Seed will not geminate unless the Temperature is at least 50 degrees. If the Temperature falls below this, it will lay dormant, but it will not kill it. Seed itself has all it needs to get established, so do NOT fertilize the new growth till you have Mowed the Lawn at least 3 times. Make sure the Blades on the Lawnmower are sharp, Dull blades could rip the tender new growth.


If I have missed something here, do not hesitate to ask a follow-up question.


The best of luck
   Greg