When and how to tackle grass seeding in our area
As our lawns begin the slow process of greening up, you might be seeing bare spots OR you want to create a new grassy area in a place you haven't had grass before.
In Colorado, the the optimal time for planting grass seed is during the late spring or early fall. Here's why:
The Front Range, characterized by its semi-arid climate and high elevation, typically experiences hot summers and cold winters. As a result, the best time to plant grass seed is during late spring (mid-May to early June) because that is when temps are milder and there is usually increased precipitation.
Milder temps and extra moisture during Spring help to prevent the seeds and new grass shoots from drying out. With added moisture, new grass seedlings get water vital to their survival.
What about frost?
Very cold temperatures are not the friend of warm season grasses like Kentucky Blue Grass or even Bermuda grass, which thrives in warmth. Don't seed warm-season grasses until danger of frost is over.
How to seed
If you are reseeding a sparse lawn or tackling bare patches, rake away any thatch or debris and then run your rake back and forth to 'scratch' the surface of the soil. Spread a light layer of compost or enriched soil everywhere you want to plant, then sprinkle grass seeds.
To keep the birds off the seeds and protect them from drying out, sprinkle another layer of soil (compost or topsoil) over all. Water gently and thoroughly to help the seeds get established.
Water regularly to keep the area(s) evenly moist for the first couple of weeks until you see seeds sprouting. Continue to water regularly, and when the new grass is about four inches tall, mow to a height of about three inches tall. The taller grass will shade the soil and help keep the top of the soil moist.
TIP: Don't over seed. Putting down too much seed could make it difficult for roots to take hold.
In Colorado, the the optimal time for planting grass seed is during the late spring or early fall. Here's why:
The Front Range, characterized by its semi-arid climate and high elevation, typically experiences hot summers and cold winters. As a result, the best time to plant grass seed is during late spring (mid-May to early June) because that is when temps are milder and there is usually increased precipitation.
Milder temps and extra moisture during Spring help to prevent the seeds and new grass shoots from drying out. With added moisture, new grass seedlings get water vital to their survival.
What about frost?
Very cold temperatures are not the friend of warm season grasses like Kentucky Blue Grass or even Bermuda grass, which thrives in warmth. Don't seed warm-season grasses until danger of frost is over.
How to seed
If you are reseeding a sparse lawn or tackling bare patches, rake away any thatch or debris and then run your rake back and forth to 'scratch' the surface of the soil. Spread a light layer of compost or enriched soil everywhere you want to plant, then sprinkle grass seeds.
To keep the birds off the seeds and protect them from drying out, sprinkle another layer of soil (compost or topsoil) over all. Water gently and thoroughly to help the seeds get established.
Water regularly to keep the area(s) evenly moist for the first couple of weeks until you see seeds sprouting. Continue to water regularly, and when the new grass is about four inches tall, mow to a height of about three inches tall. The taller grass will shade the soil and help keep the top of the soil moist.
TIP: Don't over seed. Putting down too much seed could make it difficult for roots to take hold.
Late-spring and early fall offer cooler temperatures and more consistent moisture, which are conducive to grass seed germination and establishment.
Alternative to Kentucky Blue Grass
Looking for an alternative to Kentucky Blue Grass altogether? Try Dryland Grass Seed (available at Murdochs). $25 for 7 pounds of seed. This is a pasture style seed that is specially formulated to thrive in dry Western climates. It contains nutrients that encourages germination and develops more fibrous roots in areas up to 8,000 ft. elevation.
Don't mix this in with your other established grass - this grass requires much less water after establishment and is for a new lawn/grass area.
Use the same seeding methods as noted above, and be sure to keep it moist until established. After two or three years you'll have to water it only once a week. It can be mowed to look more like a lawn or left to grow taller. Contains 49% Gulf Annual Ryegrass, 20% Orchard Grass, 15% Maximo Intermediate Ryegrass, 13% Intermediate Ryegrass, 3% Clover.
You can plant dryland pasture grass seed in the Spring as long as the soil temperature is below 50°F and there is no frost. For optimal germination, seeds should be planted when soil temperatures are between 59–72°F. You can plant seeds 6–8 weeks before the first frost to ensure seedlings are established before winter. You can also plant seeds in late October or early November after temperatures are consistently below 60°F.
If you are interested in seeing a lawn sowed entirely with Dryland Grass Seed, email us at [email protected] and we will connect you with a member who has successfully changed their entire Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn over to a Dryland Grass Seed lawn.
Image by ededchechine on Freepik