Who knows stuff about growing grass?

[KFC911]

Fescue

I've gotten a late start on seeding one area and now we've got a chance of frost for a couple of nights, before warming up again.

Won't a first frost put everything in "dormant mode" for this year ....

I seem to remember a relationship between growing non-Fescue grass and the first frost from decades ago ...

Strawberry farmers wet their plants before a chilly night .... can't hurt to soak those seeds ... can it?

Or is this like an oil in a Z-turn or a Dawn/Palmolive thread?

I'll ask my dawg

[oldE]

Paging Baz!


Best
Les

[KFC911]

Baz might have forgotten what frost is and Fescue too .... after being in Fl all these years

But he sure knows stuff

[stevej37]

A week ago, I seeded that 12ft circle where they ground that stump out.
I used a fescue mix because it's partial sunny in that spot.

I tamped the seed in, watered it and covered it with a light layer of straw. There are small sprigs showing now. If it grows up here, it should where you live.
Cold nights won't matter...it just needs at least 45 degrees during the day to grow.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by stevej37

A week ago, I seeded that 12ft circle where they ground that stump out.
I used a fescue mix because it's partial sunny in that spot.

I tamped the seed in, watered it and covered it with a light layer of straw. There are small sprigs showing now. If it grows up here, it should where you live.
Cold nights won't matter...it just needs at least 45 degrees during the day to grow.

This. We overseeded our pastures with fescue in Sept and have baby grass everywhere. No worries about a light frost. Hard freeze is another story, and has to last thru the day.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by greglepore

This. We overseeded our pastures with fescue in Sept and have baby grass everywhere. No worries about a light frost. Hard freeze is another story, and has to last thru the day.

Hey ... mebbe it was the first "hard freeze" that I remember from the good ol' daze .... Christmas Buds

I just realized my vet might not be in today .... soooo...

Thanks all !

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

A week ago, I seeded that 12ft circle where they ground that stump out.
I used a fescue mix because it's partial sunny in that spot.

I tamped the seed in, watered it and covered it with a light layer of straw. There are small sprigs showing now. If it grows up here, it should where you live.
Cold nights won't matter...it just needs at least 45 degrees during the day to grow.

I've spread 8 different types of fescue (outta two different bags) with blends designed for this area.

Every seed is from Oregon .... they must know their grass

[stevej37]

The worst mistake that some do with a new seeding is....covering the grass seed too much.
Anything over a quarter inch is too deep.

I'm sure you already know that.

The small area I did, I just walked over the entire area, didn't use a rake.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The worst mistake that some do with a new seeding is....covering the grass seed too much.
Anything over a quarter inch is too deep.

I'm sure you already know that.

I didn't do it "right" .... like you did . I just threw out seed on the existing lawn (killed it all first), dethatched and mowed low.... good soil. Thew out two pick-up loads of top-soil ...very lightly over much of it.

It'll grow

I hope ... yeah it will eventually... but it could just be expensive bird seed

[1990C4S]

Watch out for 'quick-grow' grasses that are annuals and not perennials.

I find the seed mixed with fertilizer seems to have a better success rate than just seed.

Don't plant when it's hot and dry. Seed that gets wet and then dries out will not germinate.

Allow for a lot of seed being consumed by birds.

Seed every spring and fall.

[KFC911]

Thanks! I doubled the coverage along with a good starter fertilizer a few days ago... been watering since and an unexpected rain last evening ... gonna water every other day per the "guy who knows stuff" ... I wish it was three weeks earlier ... but stuff happens

[Rusty Heap]

Joys of owning acreage. Just did 1/2-1 acre around my house to totally redo the lawn. Killed all existing lawn, spread 30 yards of topsoil as a top coat, Put out 250 pounds of seed so far, have 3 50# bags left for a late overseed this week and next spring. purrrrrfect timing of weather!

[KFC911]

I have a mini-area ... my parents' front lawn .... mebbe a qtr acre...

When they say something is "dirt cheap" .... they haven't bought dirt lately

You having fun yet Rusty...

Boyz 'N Toyz

[Crowbob]

Around here the recommended seed for turfgrass is a mixture of fescue, perennial rye and Kentucky Bluegrass.

And no, light frost will not seriously damage seedlings. Other than annual grasses, like annual rye, most grasses don’t die in winter nor during drought. They just go dormant. Actually, some argue the best time for seeding for turfgrass is very late fall. I think it all depends on the variety, species and climate.

[Rusty Heap]

killed existing grass.
Spread 3 dump trucks worth of Top Soil with Kubota Box Scraper and blade.
Dragged a couple pallets behind my zero-steer mower for finish sanding of soil high spots.
50 pound sacks of seed were on sale for $89. I bought 9.

purrrrfect weather this last week and seed is germinating like crazy which I like!

[wdfifteen]

It’ll be fine. People around here throw fescue and bluegrass grass seed out on the snow in March so it gets an early start. It’s not a great way to plant grass, but it does come up.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Actually, some argue the best time for seeding for turfgrass is very late fall. I think it all depends on the variety, species and climate.

Early fall is absolutely the best time to plant fescues and bluegrass. The soil is warm and they sprout quickly. Spring weed seeds are still dormant waiting for winter striation and the grass gets a head start on them. Summer weed seeds have sprouted and been killed my seedbed prep for the grass. It’s the best time.

[KFC911]

I have areas that aren't totally dead ... I may hit them again with Roundup (I'm very conservative with it) and reseed them again in a few weeks... Thanks everyone.... I know it'll be fine ...

Next time I'm callin' Rusty

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Around here the recommended seed for turfgrass is a mixture of fescue, perennial rye and Kentucky Bluegrass.

And no, light frost will not seriously damage seedlings. Other than annual grasses, like annual rye, most grasses don’t die in winter nor during drought. They just go dormant. Actually, some argue the best time for seeding for turfgrass is very late fall. I think it all depends on the variety, species and climate.

I had some areas w/ 80/20 fescue/bluegrass ....

MeNOlikey bluegrass .... 8 fescues .... we'll see ....

Optimal time here ... mid-Sept to mid-Oct.

[Bill Douglas]

Ha, in my 20's I bought a place and redid the lawn. I thought the seeds weren't germinating much so I'll put some more seeds down. Darn, still no luck, I'll try again. Woooo. Later all the seeds decided to grow and the lawn was like walking around on a trampoline.