Fall overseeding checklist–PLUS TIP OF THE WEEK!
I will give a detailed plan on how to overseed as we get a little closer, but here is a list of items to pick up at the store this Labor Day weekend. These are just recommendations, and the exact fertilizer numbers can vary, but it is best to keep your analysis in the range I provide. I will be discussing this information with ”The Garden Guy” on Saturday as well between 9-11 am on Channel 3 in AZ. Enjoy your weekend and GO BLUE!
Fertilizer – Starter fertilizer applied with the seed such as 6-20-20, 16-24-12, or 16-20-0 at 5 pounds per 1000 SF. Your second fertilizer application will come two weeks after the seed has been down using a balanced fertilizer such as 15-15-15, 21-7-14, or 16-16-16. You also want to make a final fertilizer application before we receive our first frost in mid November using calcium nitrate 15.5-0-0, 15-15-15, or 21-7-14 to push the growth. Once we receive our first good frost you can put the granular away for a couple months as you will not get the reactivity from them with the low soil temperatures.
Verticutter (Ren-o-thin) – Make sure you lightly verticut the lawn in two directions to open the grass plant up and allow for better seed to soil contact.
Sharp Mower – Take your mower blade in to get serviced and sharpened up before you go in and start taking those mowing heights down. Ideally in the next few weeks you will let your lawn start to grow up 30-40 percent in height so when you scalp it down you are taking it to a normal height.
Perennial Ryegrass – Make sure the label has a minimum of 96 % germination. Anything less will produce unsatisfactory results and give you less than desirable color. Seed should be all perennial ryegrass with no annual ryegrass or fescue in the mix. Seed needs to be applied at 8-10 pounds per 1000 SF and there is no reason to go at a higher rate. A higher rate will produce excellent color for the first month and then the ryegrass will start to choke itself out.
We prefer the BOBSeed perennial ryegrass seed for all seed applications as it provides superior color, has no weed seed, and provides over 97 % germination. You can pick it up at Phoenix valley Ace Hardware stores, Sprinkler World, Preach Building Supply, and Elgin Nursery. Take a look at our website for a store near you. http://www.westernsod.com/bobseed.php
Seed Cover – This can be used during the later part of the year to overseed to help keep heat in the ground.
Foliar Fertilizers for the winter – If you are in the shopping mood and already at your local store pick up some foliar iron and potassium products for the winter months to maintain color. You can also purchase “Seasonal Booster” 7-7-7 from West Coast Turf throughout the year for $19.95. Contact our office for details.
****TIP OF THE WEEK**** Start to let your lawn grow up in height if you will be overseeding this fall. You will want at about 30-40 % longer in height than you normally keep it. This allows you to scalp in the fall to a reasonable height and will help your lawn recover next year.
Please click on the “Ask Jay” button on the top right on the page if you have some overseeding questions for me. And don’t forget to watch “Good Morning Arizona” on Saturday for more tips.
Jay
PS…..Please find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/pages/West-Coast-TurfWestern-Sod/128634003982?ref=ts!