Lawn care - Ask Extension
Hello,
Do you have recommendations on organic lawn care products to "patch/repair" grassy areas for lawns?
I included an image of a prod...
Knowledgebase
Lawn care #877449
Asked July 16, 2024, 11:11 AM EDT
Hello,
Do you have recommendations on organic lawn care products to "patch/repair" grassy areas for lawns?
I included an image of a product I saw at home depot that struck my eye and my lawn care needs. Thoughts or other suggested products?
When is the best time to plant new grass seed?
I also have option to aerate, use my own compost to supplement lawn care.
Thank you for your help!
John
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi John,
Unfortunately your photo won't open, but you don't really need any products to overseed your lawn. All you need is something to poke holes (whether that be an aerator or pitchfork) and seed. No compost needed.
You can absolutely do this organically.
You can seed from now until about mid-September. It might be good to wait until it's a little cooler, unless you can commit to watering to keep the seed coat moist. You don't have to water a large volume, but you may have to irrigate 2-4 times per day, depending on temperature.
If you can aerate, you'll want to make lots and lots and LOTS AND LOTS of holes - multiple passes. The goal is to get the holes on 2" centers. If you're just seeding certain sections, then aerate the entire yard with two passes (at least) and 2-3 additional passes where you want to seed. The lawn should look "bad" following aeration.
If you would rather use a pitchfork, then poke holes into the sections to reseed. You can also use a large drill bit to drill holes.
Then using a push-type fertilizer spreader, put half the seed needed into the hopper and open the mouth just wide enough to let some seed fall out. Make one pass and then do a second in the opposite direction. Rake to work the seed into the holes and then water to keep the seed coat moist - it's ok if the soil surface dries, but you want to keep the holes moist where the seed is located.
Seeding rates:
If you're going to seed later this summer/early fall, you can fertilize the same day you aerate and seed. Use your favorite organic fertilizer (with the same fertilizer spreader) and be sure to water it in.
Unfortunately your photo won't open, but you don't really need any products to overseed your lawn. All you need is something to poke holes (whether that be an aerator or pitchfork) and seed. No compost needed.
You can absolutely do this organically.
You can seed from now until about mid-September. It might be good to wait until it's a little cooler, unless you can commit to watering to keep the seed coat moist. You don't have to water a large volume, but you may have to irrigate 2-4 times per day, depending on temperature.
If you can aerate, you'll want to make lots and lots and LOTS AND LOTS of holes - multiple passes. The goal is to get the holes on 2" centers. If you're just seeding certain sections, then aerate the entire yard with two passes (at least) and 2-3 additional passes where you want to seed. The lawn should look "bad" following aeration.
If you would rather use a pitchfork, then poke holes into the sections to reseed. You can also use a large drill bit to drill holes.
Then using a push-type fertilizer spreader, put half the seed needed into the hopper and open the mouth just wide enough to let some seed fall out. Make one pass and then do a second in the opposite direction. Rake to work the seed into the holes and then water to keep the seed coat moist - it's ok if the soil surface dries, but you want to keep the holes moist where the seed is located.
Seeding rates:
- 3-5 pounds/1000 square feet for Kentucky bluegrass
- 5-7 pounds/1000 square feet for tall fescue
- 6-8 pounds/1000 square feet for perennial ryegrass/bluegrass mix
If you're going to seed later this summer/early fall, you can fertilize the same day you aerate and seed. Use your favorite organic fertilizer (with the same fertilizer spreader) and be sure to water it in.
Hi Alison,
Thank you for the great information and tips!
A few questions:
“If you're going to seed later this summer/early fall, you can fertilize the same day you aerate and seed. Use your favorite organic fertilizer (with the same fertilizer spreader) and be sure to water it in.”
If I would like to seed this weekend- mid summer - is it recommended to fertilize on separate days? Do you have a recommendation for your favorite organic fertilizer?
I’ve heard colloquially that watering plants at the end of the day is not recommended, as if “going to bed with wet feet”; is that true or false for plants and lawn care?
Thank you,
John
Hi John,
I would wait to fertilize until the weather cools off - after Labor Day would be best. While organics don't usually burn the turf, they can if misapplied.
There are many organics on the market - Richlawn and Alphalawn are both Colorado companies. There is also Scotts Organic and Milorganite. Any of these will work.
As for watering lawns at night - it's actually a recommended practice. During the evening, the plant pushes guttation fluid (sugars) out of the plant as the temperature drops. Watering at night washes these sugars off the plant surface and can decrease disease.
But for your seeding efforts, you'll want to keep the seed coat moist during the day, when temperatures are high. So you'll be watering during the day to get the seed established. Then focus on watering between 9pm-6am for the rest of the lawn.
I would wait to fertilize until the weather cools off - after Labor Day would be best. While organics don't usually burn the turf, they can if misapplied.
There are many organics on the market - Richlawn and Alphalawn are both Colorado companies. There is also Scotts Organic and Milorganite. Any of these will work.
As for watering lawns at night - it's actually a recommended practice. During the evening, the plant pushes guttation fluid (sugars) out of the plant as the temperature drops. Watering at night washes these sugars off the plant surface and can decrease disease.
But for your seeding efforts, you'll want to keep the seed coat moist during the day, when temperatures are high. So you'll be watering during the day to get the seed established. Then focus on watering between 9pm-6am for the rest of the lawn.
