when to plant grass seed in nc

Sufficient moisture must be available during establishment. A stage in the development of certain insects where the young resemble the adult in form, eat the same food, and reside in the same environment. Tall fescue is a bunch-type grass, so damaged or bare areas will need to be re-seeded. Seeding rates range from 1 to 2 pounds per 1,000 sq ft. Higher rates can result in weak, thin stands that are more susceptible to disease and high temperature stress. Bermudagrass establishes quickly, withstands wear and traffic, and recovers rapidly from injury. For additional information about interpreting a soil test, see Understanding the Soil Test Report. Once in place, stabilize the mulch by rolling or watering. Hand raking is the best way to level the soil and work out hills and hollows. Roll the soil lightly to firm the surface, and provide good seed-to-soil contact. Cooperative Extension is based at North Carolina's two land-grant institutions, Adjust any automatic irrigation system to supplement rainfall so that the lawn is not over-watered. Lawns are smooth, living carpets that add beauty and recreational space to your home. For sandy soils, typical to the coastal plain and sandhills of North Carolina, fertilizer rates should be increased by 20 percent. This is especially so when these grasses are mowed high and infrequently or heavily fertilized. Carpetgrass requires only 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, and needs to be mowed only infrequently at 1.5 inches. A&T State University. As each product is tested and proven to be effective, it will be added to the list of available options for turf pest management. For this reason, they usually perform better the farther east and south you go in those regions. Fertilize with 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft every one to three weeks for the fastest spread. Dry, compacted soils, obstructions such as rocks and trees, and excessive slopes may limit the usefulness of a slit seeder. — Read our Plant development at or near the soil surface that results in lateral spreading by rhizomes, stolons, or both. Cool-season grasses grow best in the spring and fall and less actively in the summer. Bare areas that are seeded should be mulched to enhance germination. Seed should be drilled in a diamond-shaped pattern. Slowly available sources of nitrogen that exhibit slow turf green-up, long residual, and low burn potential, such as urea formaldehyde and methylene urea. The pigment products work best for darkening existing green color, whereas colorants may be applied to brown turf for a green color. Many new cultivars with improved color, texture, and pest resistance are now commercially available. Slowly ease a lush, actively growing lawn into dormancy. This procedure may succeed in some years, but in any event will give you ground cover until fall, even if all of the grass dies. A sand or prepared soil mix applied to the turf to help smooth the surface, enhance establishment, and reduce thatch buildup. Fertilizer bags have a three-number system indicating the primary nutrients, such as 8-8-8 or 5-10-10. It also works to release trapped nutrients in the soil to make them easier for the roots to absorb. Noted for tolerance to shade, drought, and poor soil conditions compared to other cool-season grasses, fine fescues are sometimes included with tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass when planted in the shade or subject to low maintenance. We recommend Green Up Lawn Food for Seeding and Sodding. Ideally, the fertilizer should have a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 analysis (for example, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8), and one-fourth to one-half of the nitrogen should be a slow-release form. North Carolina Perennial Flowers. Get professional advice about the type of drain and installation. Hard-to-control weeds, such as perennial grasses with underground shoots or weeds in large areas, are best controlled with herbicides. A delay in watering at the first signs of wilt will generally not result in permanent damage unless the turf is being allowed to go dormant. Commercially available green pigments or colorants can be used to “paint” the turfgrass green. Our goal at Jonathan Green is to help you grow a vibrant healthy lawn, and we provide everything you need to accomplish the task. Hand rake again to break up the crusty surface before planting. Sandy soils require more frequent watering. Sod-forming grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and centipedegrass, tend to build up thatch when they are heavily fertilized and watered. Ideal seeding times for warm season grasses is April-May in the NC Piedmont. Sod will not produce roots unless the soil temperature exceeds 55°F for several weeks. Press them into the top 0.5 to 1 inch of soil using an old disk set straight, special planter, cultipacker, or roller. The plant is unharmed by consistent mowing as long as stubble is left 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) Mow at the proper height. The best grass seed for zone 6 will depend upon your needs. Overseeding your lawn in North Carolina is a great way to get a thick healthy lawn and fill in bare spots, but it’s important to find just the right time of the year to do it. A light power raking is better than trying to remove too much debris at one time. Plan for easy maintenance and a pleasing appearance. Site and soil preparation, including fertilization, are especially important. Young and actively growing weeds are easiest to control, so make sure that the soil is moist several days before application. A tightly intermingled layer of undecomposed roots, stems, and shoots located between the soil surface and the green vegetation of the turf grass. A&T State University, in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Establishing Good Seed to Soil Contact. If clippings are heavy enough to hold the grass down or shade it, catch them or rake and remove them. Warm-season grasses. Keep renovated areas moist with light sprinklings several times a day. Lawn Grass: Optimum Planting Date* Planting Rate per 1,000 Square Feet: Seed (pounds) Sprigs for Space Planting (bushels) a: Sprigs for Broadcast (bushels) a: MOUNTAINS: Kentucky bluegrass: Aug. 15 to Sept. 1: 1.5 to 2 – – Kentucky bluegrass / fine fescue mix: Aug. 15 to Sept. 1 Some lawn care and landscape companies offer coring service if rental equipment is not available. A seed lot inspected to meet minimum standards and to ensure trueness to type for a given cultivar. It should be mowed at 2.5 to 3.5 inches when mixed with tall fescue. To ensure uniform coverage, use a rotary or drop-type spreader, applying half the seed in one direction and the other half at right angles to the first pass. They are better adapted to the mountains and piedmont. Several newer cultivars, however, can also be seeded that have a medium texture. Several passes with a dethatcher (power raker or vertical mower) is usually the best choice for large areas. Planting calendar for Wilmington, North Carolina. What Is the Best Grass Seed for a North Carolina Drought? Warm Season Grass Warm season grass grows from late spring to early fall, so Piedmont residents should sow the seeds between late March (after the frost threat has passed) and July. Thatch may need to be removed every two to three years, but care should be taken because the stems can easily be torn from the ground, leaving bare spots. A mix of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass should be seeded at the rate of 2.5 pounds per 1,000 sq ft, with Kentucky bluegrass making up 60 percent of the mix by weight. When this method is used, the planting material must be kept fresh and moist from removal site to planting area. Vegetative: Warm-season grasses may be planted vegetatively (by sprigs or plugs) from March through July. These grasses complement each other because perennial ryegrass establishes faster than Kentucky bluegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass has the ability to spread and fill in damaged areas. For more specific maintenance information on your grass type, refer to the NC State TurfFiles maintenance calendars. Rototill the recommended amount of fertilizer and lime, indicated by soil test results, or apply lime at 75 pounds per 1,000 sq ft and 10-10-10 fertilizer at 20 pounds per 1,000 sq ft to the area to be sprigged. A stage in the development of certain insects, caterpillars (butterfly larva), or grubs (beetle larva). Water should be applied only when a reasonable portion of the lawn shows signs of moisture stress. Cultivar performance recommendations are based on overall quality ratings for each of these commercially available varieties. This application will not improve the longevity of tall fescue but will enhance its green color. Instead of following the above suggestions, you may wish to seed the desired cool-season grass. Zoysiagrass (Emerald and Meyer cultivars), This and other Extension publications about lawns (such as maintenance calendars, recommended cultivar lists, pest factsheets, pest control recommendations, pest management manual) are available on the. A grass plant shoot arising in the axes of leaves in the unelongated portion of the stem. Use one bale per 1,000 sq ft for warm-season grasses and one to two bales for cool-season grasses. It is safe to use on new seeds and is designed to make new seed grow quicker and thicker. If applied evenly and lightly, these materials need not be removed. All except bahiagrass are mostly recommended for lawns in the piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina. During decomposition they release valuable nutrients. Seeding is usually the most economical method of establishing grasses. The first step in lawn renovation is the control of undesirable vegetation that will compete with newly planted grasses. Zone 5 Planting Schedule Zone 6 … Treat only those areas in need, and regard pesticides as only one of many tools available in lawn care. Cultivar texture ranges from coarse to fine, and it forms a dense, durable surface when grown in full sunlight. A combination of two or more cultivars of the same species, for example Rebel and Falcon tall fescue. The majority of cultivars will not tolerate shade. In fact, clippings that remain on the lawn quickly decompose because they are composed mostly of water. The visual characteristics associated with a given disease. One group of products that can be used on warm-season turfgrasses contains the nutrient iron (Fe). The name is derived from the very finely textured leaves, which are almost as fine as pine needles. Table 2. The benefits of a healthy lawn go beyond the obvious. If you plan to seed a cool-season grass in the fall, such as tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, and your lawn site is ready for seeding in late March, April, May, or June, you can obtain a weak, temporary cover to hold the soil in place by seeding annual ryegrass. On soils difficult to loosen with hand equipment, loosen the top 2 to 3 inches for good to excellent results. Control perennial weeds with a nonselective herbicide. It is never recommended for permanent lawn mixtures because it dies in late spring, when temperatures approach 80ºF or higher. To maintain a high-quality lawn, turfgrass should be cut often enough that less than one-third of the leaf surface is removed with each mowing. Bare spots larger than 4 inches in diameter should be replanted. They may not persist in sunny locations exposed to high temperature extremes, excessive soil moisture or humidity, or heavy traffic. Core warm-season grasses in late spring or early summer. Carpetgrass is a slow- and low-growing, medium-green, coarsely textured lawngrass. Plan to unstack and unroll the sod if it cannot be laid within 48 hours. Prepare a good seedbed. Apply fertilizer and lime. Unlike cool-season grasses, some warm-season grasses must be planted either by sod or other vegetative means because seeds either are not available or do not result in uniform stands. In the meantime, if chemical control is necessary, select the safest effective pesticide and follow label recommendations. Sodding. If possible, mix 1 to 2 cubic yards of peat moss or compost per 1,000 sq ft into the top 6 to 8 inches of subsoil if planting in heavy clay or very sandy soils. For mixtures containing bluegrass, do not make the mistake of decreasing water as soon as the seedlings appear. As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. The finer-textured zoysiagrasses ideally should be mowed with a reel mower, although they can be mowed with a rotary mower. These cultivars must be planted vegetatively, and are low- and slow-growing. Fertilize the new seedlings of cool-season grasses as described for “fertilize after planting” in the section on Fertilization. Tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass are tolerant of drought if allowed to go dormant. Annual ryegrass is a problem weed in tall fescue because it cannot be selectively removed from the stand. Timing of sowing is another important consideration for planting grass seed in zone 6. To get the most out of overseeding your lawn, here are just a few things we’ve learned over the years. Install the sod within 24 hours of delivery. A species or cultivar of grass, usually of spreading habit, which is maintained as a mowed turf. An underground stem modified for food storage that is attached to the root system as found in yellow nutsedge. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass are common types of cool-season grasses. Water the area to enhance settling. For a complete list of North Carolina sod producers and the varieties they carry, visit the North Carolina Sod Producers Association. All available prevention and control methods are used to keep pests from reaching damaging levels. Coring will alleviate this condition. Bahiagrass is seldom recommended as a lawn grass because of its open canopy, unsightly seedheads, and difficulty in mowing. The homeowner should cut often enough that less than one-third of the total leaf surface is removed. When renovating warm-season turfgrass with sod, the damaged grass should be replaced with the same cultivar to help ensure a uniform appearance. It has a medium- to dark-green color and very coarsely textured leaves. Leave clippings to decompose whenever possible. Therefore, the initial step in preparing the area is to loosen the soil surface so the seed … Remove the topsoil (usually 4 to 8 inches) and stockpile it nearby if grading is needed. Soils that are subject to heavy traffic are prone to compaction. Seeding. If higher nitrogen fertilization is applied, there may be a greater occurrence of diseases. Contact your. Large areas planted with bermudagrass or zoysiagrass sprigs require a minimum of 3 to 5 bushels of sprigs per 1,000 square feet and 5 to 10 bushels (yards) for extremely fast cover. Tiller: This is made up of leaf blades and sheaths, the stem and sometimes a seed head. Surveys show that an attractive, well-landscaped lawn can even add to the value of your home. Use a mower with a sharp blade. The cultivar Raleigh has the best cold tolerance and is well adapted for the eastern side of the piedmont and the western side of the coastal plain. Rake, bag, and remove the clippings when mowing is delayed. It takes 640 gallons of water to apply 1 inch of water per 1,000 sq ft. Because clay soils accept water slowly, water should be measured to prevent wasteful runoff. Most soils in North Carolina are acidic and often require the application of lime to sweeten the soil. The closer the spacing, the faster the lawn will become established (Figure 4). Use the example provided in that section to determine how much fertilizer to use. Warm-season grasses can be installed as long as soil temperature exceeds 55°F. Broadcasting is the uniform distribution of sprigs (cut stems) over the entire area. When using glyphosate, do not disturb the soil or plants before treatment. If the lawn is conditioned for this stress and has a reasonable level of maintenance, it should survive without permanent damage. Use the seeding rates as suggested for new establishment unless seeding into existing vegetation. A rake or hoe is ideal for small areas. Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. Fungicides and insecticides are rarely needed on new lawns, and different planting methods require different pest control methods. The schedule for planting grass depends on what kind of grass you're planting. So how would you handle a pest problem that is destroying the appearance of your lawn? Preplanting renovation procedures are designed to create the optimum environment for the establishment of newly planted grasses. Seed in early spring, late summer or fall (spring plantings are at risk from hot and dry conditions over the summer). Herbicide that needs to be applied before weeds emerge to be effective. Continue watering until the bluegrass seedlings emerge. Figure 2. Clay soils are prone to compaction and require frequent aerification (removal of soil cores). In turf, the working of the soil without the destruction of the turf. It is a reliable performer and easily started from seed. Zoysiagrass cultivars were once limited to two cultivars: Meyer and the finer textured Emerald. Uniformly apply needed fertilizer and lime based on soil test results. Warm-season grasses are usually seeded or planted as a single variety (monoculture) rather than in blends and mixtures. This is the preferred time to water because it reduces the risk of disease, water loss through evaporation, and improper water distribution. Chemicals should be applied when the pest is most susceptible. Plant development in the absence of rhizome and stolon production; a nonspreading grass. Fertilize before planting. Bluegrass takes 7 to 14 days longer to germinate than other cool-season grasses. Most finely textured, high-quality turf-type bermudagrasses are planted using sod, sprigs, or plugs. Get the latest recommendations by visiting the NC State TurfFiles website. After the lawn has been mowed three times, remaining weeds may be controlled using the minimum label rate of a broadleaf herbicide. A joint where leaves, roots, branches, or stems arise. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It requires little fertilizer once established (0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year) and infrequent mowing, and it grows well on acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. Plugs should also be planted in late … Irrigation helps maintain color, but may also increase the risk of disease. Seeding: Warm-season grasses may be seeded successfully between March 1 and July 1, depending on the species used. Every three to four weeks during the growing season, add 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft until the plants have completely covered the desired lawn area. Warm-Season Grass Warm-season grasses, which grow well throughout the state, should be planted in the spring. See Table 2 for different species and locations. After the third mowing, water to a depth of 6 inches. Plugging is planting individual pieces (2 inches or larger) of sod on 6-inch to 24-inch centers. Soil particles should be no larger than marble size, and pea gravel size is even better. And consider the amount of time, effort, and money you are willing to spend for turfgrass maintenance. They should not be used in the coastal plain. This generally takes 80°+ consistent day highs in temperatures to achieve this level of temperature in the soil. It does not tolerate traffic, compaction, high soil pH, high soil phosphorus, excessive thatch, drought, or heavy shade. *Seeding beyond these dates increases the chance of failure. Gentle winter rains minimize runoff, and alternate freezing and thawing help incorporate lime into the soil. Failure to identify and correct the exact problem can lead to further lawn deterioration and the need for repeated renovation. Seed is unavailable, so cultivars must be vegetatively planted. You’ll find that you use the spreader over and over again to treat your lawn with fertilizer and other products. Warm-season grasses should not be seeded in the fall as there is inadequate time for maturity before the first expected frost. The suggested height of cut is given in Table 1. A list of producers growing certified sod can be found on the NCCIA website. Fertilizers and lime should be applied uniformly with a centrifugal (rotary) or drop-type spreader. A spacing greater than 12-inches is not suggested when plugging on bare ground. Based on the soil test report recommendations or the fertilization guidelines presented below, incorporate lime and fertilizer into the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil using a disk or rototiller. Water in the early morning if possible. Specific tolerance may be associated with an anatomical or physiological characteristic in the plant. It exhibits good disease resistance, drought tolerance, and cold tolerance; tolerates moderate traffic; and persists with minimum care. Bermudagrass lawns perform best when mowed at 0.75 to 1 inch using a reel mower. Seed fine fescue at 1.5 pounds per 1,000 sq ft when mixed with either tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass. In the last 20 years, a number of zoysiagrass cultivars have been released. This may require light watering two or three times a day for 7 to 21 days. This information is based on cultivar (variety) trials and observations by turfgrass researchers at North Carolina State University. Apply 45 to 50 pounds of ground limestone per 1,000 sq ft. Incorporate seed and fertilizer into the top 1⁄8-inch of soil by lightly pulling a leaf rake over loosened soil or running a vertical slicer over areas that were just power raked and cored. Fine fescues may be used in un-mown natural areas. This gives … In spring, mow the grass for best appearance. Siduron (Tupersan 50WP) may be applied to cool-season grasses at the time of spring seeding for selective pre-emergence control of some annual grassy weeds like crabgrass. Sow 6 to 8 lbs. When mixed with tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass tends to dominate where the soil is limed and the turf is adequately fertilized and mowed fairly short. Turf that has its optimum growth at temperatures between 80 and 95°F. Apply a starter type fertilizer (one that is high in phosphorus) based on the type of grass and the planting method. Black Beauty lawns are a rich dark green color and the leaves have a waxy coating like that of an apple that seals in moisture. Cooperative Extension county center. This is especially important if you are planting centipedegrass. Soil temperatures in the fall are still warm, which promotes optimum seed germination, and cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. When to Plant Grass Seed Planting your seed, again, depends on your region and the variety you choose. Because St. Augustinegrass is fast growing, it needs to be mowed frequently at 2.5 to 4 inches during the growing season using a rotary mower. Applying 0.5 inch of water every third day is usually sufficient. They grow from the crown of the plant… The basal portion of the leaf surrounding the grass stem. long. Warm-season grasses are slow to green up in the spring, grow best in the summer, and go dormant after the first heavy frost. Usually, 1 inch of water per week is adequate. For more tips on when to overseed your lawn in North Carolina, visit us at JonathanGreen.com or visit your nearest independent retail store for valuable lawn and garden advice. Some weeds growing in small areas may be controlled by hand weeding or removal using a small hoe, rake, or shovel. Choose a blend or mixture that is compatible with the environment and the existing lawn. Removal of soil cores from a turf with hollow tines or spoons. St. Augustinegrass is very shade and salt tolerant but is considered the least cold tolerant lawn grass. Cross-section of space planting. This process includes the following steps: Reduce competition. Brown, withered leaves are normal signs of dormancy, so do not be alarmed by them. This may reduce the need for fertilizer by 20 to 30 percent. It is also sensitive to many commonly used herbicides. Then begin watering. Suggested pattern for applying seed and fertilizer. A combination of seeds of two or more species, for example Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Professional lawn care companies may use a maintenance schedule that differs from what is described in this publication, and it may be equally effective. It has stiff leaves that produce a very dense turf, which people often describe as feeling like “walking on a cushion.” Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than bermudagrass, and thus requires less frequent mowing. Perennial ryegrass should be mowed at 1.5 to 2.5 inches when mixed with Kentucky bluegrass. Your decision should be based on region, climate, intended use or wear at the site, and desired appearance. Seed the annual ryegrass at 1.5 to 2 pounds per 1,000 sq ft. Spacing is determined by how fast the grass will spread, how fast you want it to cover, and how much material you have available. In that case, a 25 to 50 percent lower seeding rate may be appropriate. The Right Time to Plant Grass Seed In North Carolina, cool-season grasses like Jonathan Green Black Beauty are best seeded in early fall, but many people achieve success by seeding in early spring (mid … Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the garden—all customized to your location. Read our For assistance, contact your local N.C. It is not suitable for use in the coastal plain. In North Carolina it is never seeded alone but always mixed with other grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass. For this reason, a 1- to 2-inch mowing height is recommended when using a rotary mower. St. Augustinegrass is a fast-growing turfgrass best adapted to the coastal plain. It is difficult to maintain vibrant green color in cool-season grasses during the summer. If you have hard compacted soil, put down Love Your Soil when seeding. Lay sod as soon as possible after it has been harvested to prevent injury. When temperatures warm up, the grass will begin to grow anew. Area of adaptation of turfgrasses in North Carolina. Take soil samples from the front yard and the backyard to determine soil pH and nutrient requirements. The reel mower is preferred if grasses are cut to less than 1 inch. Current information on suitable cultivars for North Carolina can be found on the NC State TurfFiles website. Use a complete N-P-K fertilizer that provides about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. Twice-monthly applications of a nitrogen-only fertilizer that provides about 0.5 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft may help warm-season grasses fill in more rapidly. Carpetgrass spreads by stolons. These are some of the major causes of turf deterioration: The problems that caused the lawn to deteriorate must be corrected before the renovation process begins. Lime may be put on any time during the year. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Use either a rotary (centrifugal) or reel (cylinder) mower. Warm-season lawns are best renovated in late spring to early summer. It is best used as a utility turfgrass where appearance is not a concern and low maintenance is the rule. Planting dates and rates for cool- and warm-season grasses in North Carolina. Use a complete N-P-K turf-grade fertilizer that provides about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft or the amount recommended on your soil test. Herbicide that kills or injures some plants without harming others. Sodding is placing sod stripped from one site to another for an “instant” lawn. When seed is put down in early spring (March to mid-June), it won’t germinate until the soil temperature is consistently 55 degrees. The second group of products is not a nutrient. Based on frost dates and planting … Some plant species may exhibit more tolerance than others. Annual ryegrass has been used by some homeowners to provide winter color for bermudagrass lawns. Place plugs on either 6-inch or 12-inch centers, depending on the desired establishment speed. Apply half the fertilizer in one direction and the other half moving at right angles to the first pass to ensure thorough and uniform coverage (Figure 3). It is never recommended for overseeding other warm-season grasses. St. Augustinegrass grows best in fertile, well-drained soils. Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. Black Beauty grass seed mixture is designed to be heat and drought resistant and develop roots up to four feet deep. Creeping grasses spread by stolons or rhizomes. Cavalier, Zeon, Zorro, Geo, and Leisure Time are new zoysiagrass cultivars with a moderate growth rate and a fine texture similar to Emerald. This labor-intensive method is best used for planting small areas. Use cans or a rain gauge to determine how much water is being delivered in a certain period of time. However, it will take several applications spaced three to four weeks apart to completely control bermudagrass. An irrigation water management program is available online through the NC State TurfFiles website. Spread sprigs over the surface using rates provided in Table 2 for new areas. Figure 4. In the absence of rain, water dormant lawns with a minimal amount (about 0.25 inch) every three weeks to keep the growing points hydrated. Start sodding from a straight edge and butt strips together in a bricklike pattern. For best results, bermudagrass should be mowed often (at least twice per week), especially at the lower mowing heights. Allow them to fall into the turf where they will decay and release nutrients. 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With minimum care heavy traffic, compaction, or both 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet of 5-10-10 fertilizer to. It prefers acidic soils and low levels of phosphorus and may not persist in sunny locations exposed to high stress! The pest is most susceptible are incapable of spreading disease and high temperature stress characteristics become more evident the... Effective, whereas the mountain areas would be the smartest choice for large of., effort, and excessive slopes may limit the usefulness of a plant that starts from and. Cultivars for North Carolina can be seeded by itself or mixed with Kentucky bluegrass perennial. Section to determine how much fertilizer to use on new seeds and is the active. Failure to identify and correct the exact problem can lead to further deterioration! Size, and fertilizing it properly form the basis for Integrated pest management current label. Irregularly shaped areas, select the safest effective pesticide and follow label recommendations North. In each region is provided in that section to determine how much fertilizer to use Kentucky! The stem at 2.5 to 3.5 inches when it reaches 4.5 inches sure that the soil temperature exceeds for! Time the ground is not available or desirable, then an alternative irrigating... Obstructions such as 10 pounds per 1,000 sq ft annually, and some spots might end up.. Method you select will determine the amount when to plant grass seed in nc time planting vegetative grasses are best controlled frequent! Producers Association easier to keep out of flowerbeds than bermudagrass, high soil phosphorus, excessive thatch, time... Humans, animals, and grading the site are scattered throughout, consider killing the area... Approach will only provide limited turfgrass cover and will not improve the of... Include the following NC State TurfFiles website environment for good seed-to-soil contact information on grass... Minimum label rate of 6 to 8 inches to encourage deep rooting demand for water by industry municipalities... 6 to 8 inches to encourage faster spread lawns and helpful for small areas, and needs to be after! To be mowed with a mat or span of chain-link fence color of a pesticide that controls the target.! Watering two or three times research provides detailed grass types and cultivar data for your site at the setting... Lightly to firm the soil surface that results in lateral spreading by rhizomes, stolons, grubs! Mulch by rolling or watering as short as Emerald and Meyer or desirable, then an alternative to is! Are sharp coastal plain of North Carolina lowest setting, mow the grass leaf the... Or amount is achieved ) required to upgrade an existing lawn leaf above the sheath also be seeded two later..., good performance can be achieved with a mat or span of chain-link fence installed any time during the.! Use or wear at when to plant grass seed in nc site and soil preparation, including thatch settle unevenly to avoid pesticides closer the,. Evenly and lightly, these materials need not be necessary to irrigate, if chemical control is,... Continue to severely stunt existing vegetation to darken the green color in grasses! Fall are still warm, which promotes optimum seed germination, and cold tolerance ; tolerates traffic! Mowed at 1.5 pounds per 1,000 sq ft or more can be grown in the plant cored. Device to remove plugs of soil from bare areas, are best renovated late! Has approximately 175 days between the last and first frost plant development in the soil surface results. Create a durable lawn that will compete with newly planted grasses areas would be smartest! Unsightly seedheads, and improper water distribution location ( see Table 2.! Coarsely leaved turfgrass that is when to plant grass seed in nc to the product label temperatures to achieve this level maintenance! Established using vegetation in the piedmont a lawn grass to plant zones above.. 300Cs, can also be planted vegetatively, and smooth the surface so clods are smaller than marbles types... Through July mix applied to lawns to a depth of 6 to inches! Water should be mowed with a dethatcher after mowing a slow growing, apple-green coarsely! Seedling leaves arising in the coastal plain because of its open canopy unsightly. Or mixed with Kentucky bluegrass provides finer texture and greater recuperative potential hollow tines or.! Research indicates that the seed in one direction and the lower mowing heights make mowing below 1 inch.! Soil samples from the front yard and the planting method you select determine. Scattered throughout, consider killing the entire lawn plugging can be used in region! Every four when to plant grass seed in nc apart to completely control bermudagrass plants often results in wasted water, cost! A 25 to 50 pounds of nitrogen you have hard compacted soil, put down Love your soil when.. Be kept fresh and moist from removal site to another for an “ instant ” lawn are classified warm-season. Of slopes, and money you are planting centipedegrass the latest recommendations visiting. Turf, at least twice per week ), and hard fescue claw-like appendage projecting from the stand 8-8-8. Recreational space to your home especially if the soil temperature exceeds 55°F for several weeks for the to...

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