When to Seed and Fertilize Your Lawn

While warm season grasses are suited for the southern part of the country, the transition zone in the middle of the country sometimes requires a mix of warm- and cool-season varieties. Warm-season grasses grow during spring and summer, but turn brown and go dormant during fall and winter. These varieties tolerate dry conditions. They have wide, coarse blades. Most warm-season grasses are creeping varieties, spreading by above- or below-ground runners.

Cool-Season Grasses

In addition to performing well in the northern part of the US, many cool season grasses are well suited to the transition zone in the middle of the country. They grow during the spring and fall, but turn brown and go dormant during dry, hot periods. Most cool-season grasses are bunching varieties, meaning they grow outward from the crown of the grass plant. These grasses have a finer texture than warm-season varieties.

Before You Start Your Lawn Seeding

There are a few things to think about to help your grass get off to a good start:

• A healthy lawn needs good soil. Most grasses prefer neutral soils. To be sure that your efforts aren't in vain, always perform a soil test first and make the recommended amendments.

• Don't apply a weed fertilizer when planning to sow grass. You can control weeds only after you have mowed new grass seedlings at least four times. Any weed controls applied when you sow seed will prevent germination or kill immature seedlings.