Starting A New Lawn or Repairing Bare Spots
Ready to plant that new lawn or repair some bare spots? If you’ve bought your Titan grass seed, you’ve made a good choice. Buying good seed is very important. It is also just as important to properly prepare and maintain your lawn. As good as our Titan seed is, it is very dependent on you providing it a healthy place to grow. Titan fescue is a plant and will remain where you plant it. It can’t go out and get its own food and water. It can’t change the soil you put it in. Those are things you must manage to have a great looking lawn. Otherwise, your lawn may not get established or be able to survive all of the stresses of the environment. So for a great looking, long-lasting Titan-quality lawn, follow these steps:
Seedbed and Soil Preparation
Some lawns may need other soil amendments, such as lime. It is strongly reccommended to conduct a soil test prior to any new seeding. Tall fescue grows best in soil with a pH of 5.8-6.5. If your soil pH is off, you may have problems with establishment, weed control, disease, and even the ability for the soil/plant to receive fertilizer. The best seed, fertilizer and watering will not overcome poor soil. Soil is what seed and grass depend on. Liming is one of your best and most affordable methods of having a healthy lawn.
Till the soil approximately 6 inches deep. Level with garden or landscaping rake. Surface may be firmed by rolling or soaking, then re-raking till level. Leave top 1/2 inch loose to allow seed to be worked into soil.
Fertilization
Prior to, during, or right after seeding, apply a starter fertilizer to help proper root development. Applying a starter fertilizer is essential to good establishment. Starter fertilizers contain phosphorus, a key nutrient for root development, as well as nitrogen and potassium. Your young grass seedlings need these to grow strong roots and shoots so that they will be able to survive the first few months. Once mature, they will need to be regularly fed to stay strong. Continue using a systematic fertilizer program to maintain a healthy lawn.
Seeding
Sow seeds evenly at 7-10 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Rake lightly into soil. No more than 1/8 inch of soil should cover seed. Use a roller or other means to firmly pack the seeded soil.
Covering
Use blankets, pelletized or paper mulch, or straw to hold soil moisture and hasten germination. Baled straw may bring in unwanted weeds; use with caution.
Watering
Do not allow soil to dry out during establishment. Keep soil moist with frequent light watering until seedlings are visible. After lawn is established, water as necessary. Seeds that dry out don’t germinate; seedlings that dry out die.