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| Photo Credit: Frank Tansey |
| Not sure what type of seed to buy? Ask the garden center professional for help. |
So you’ve finally done away with the weed patch in your yard, and it’s time to go to “dream patch” – you’ve decided to seed your lawn! Good choice, by the way. While sod can give you that nice “instant green,” it’s far more expensive. And you’ll be enjoying your newly seeded lawn in a matter of a few weeks anyway. (You just need to be a little patient before you can see the green at the end of your new-lawn tunnel.) Seeded lawns can also be customized to your site – this means you’ll have more grass types and varieties to choose from than if you were to use sod.
Before you buy any grass seed, though, it’s important to do some site assessment. Ask yourself a very simple question about the area you want to seed: What kind of sun does that section get (full sun, part sun/part shade or full shade)? And ask yourself that question now, while the trees still have their leaves. If the area’s sunny, it’s important that you select seed that’ll perform well under full-sun conditions. The same can be said for shady areas. Remember, even though you’re planting grass, the name of the game still (and always should be) “right plant, right place!” (See what I mean about seed being “customized?” You select the seed to match the site, not the other way around.) So okay – you know what kind of sun your particular area gets. It’s time to buy the seed. Where do you begin? For starters, always buy quality seed. You’ve put a lot of sweat (hopefully no tears) and elbow grease into preparing your seedbed – please don’t blow it with cheap seed! And whenever possible, avoid using just one type of grass (sometimes referred to as a “blend”). Why, you ask? Let’s say you have a pure stand of Kentucky bluegrass that’s attacked by a fungus. You could literally kiss your lawn good-bye – in some cases, in a matter of hours! It’s just wise to look for a mixture that contains cool-season grasses like perennial rye, Kentucky bluegrass and/or fescue. (It’s all on the label.) And a visit to your local garden center or big box store should provide you with ample choices. If in doubt, ask for assistance to make the right selection.
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