When Should I Plant Grass Seed In Virginia? [SOLVED!]

Our area has a majority of grasses made up of turf types tall fescues or bluegrass. All of these are cool season grasses. Because they thrive in colder weather such as the fall and spring, these grasses have been called cool-season grasses. Their optimum temperate for growing and manufacturing food (photosynthesis) is between 68 to 77⁰F. Above 77⁰F, grasses are able to still manufacture food, but at a lower rate. However, once air temperatures rise above 87 ⁰F (which happens every summer), photosynthesis becomes very limited 🙈 This happens for several reasons, but the major issue is that the plants try to utilize oxygen instead of carbon dioxide to manufacture food, and a process called photorespiration begins 😎 During photorespiration, a grass plant actually uses more energy than it manufactures. During high temperatures it is possible to grow food. plants have limited food production by photosynthesis Photorespiration is the way that energy is used by plants. The shoots and roots experience a marked decrease in their growth because they don’t have enough energy to make new growth. The grass will not grow during this period. plants tend to stop growingRoots often become brittle and the crowns or tops of grass plants die. This is what you see in summer when your grass grows slowly and thinly. [1]

Are you interested in cool-season grasses? Cool-season turfgrasses like fescues or ryegrasses as well as bluegrasses can be started from seeds. Virginia lawns This April and May, it’s important to be aware of the difficulties you will face when planting spring grasses. The first is that it is preferred. plant these grasses in late summer to early fall In order to maximize grass establishment and mature before the start of summer, Turf establishment success depends on the growth of a strong, healthy root system. This is something that is often difficult, if not impossible, to do with spring planting. You will need to deal with a dense or poorly shaped turf. need to plant You have one choice when it comes to a spring lawn: you must do everything you can. Luther Gruber, March 4, 2020. [2]

Viridiana Russ ext.vt.eduSeed application. Seeding can be done in many different ways. You could use a drop- or rotary spreader or commercial seeder. Hydroseeding is also an option. It is important to have uniform seed distribution across a large area. Most often, it is best to seed in at least 2 directions, applying the seed at ½ the recommended rate in one direction. Drop spreaders for lawns are a great choice because you won’t have to push it as hard. Drop spreaders have the advantage of not being affected by wind while seeding. This is something you can appreciate. major problem A rotary spreader. Rotary spreaders are the fastest way to cover large areas of tall-seeded grasses such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Small-seeded grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass can be applied with hand-held spreaders that are found at garden and lawn centers. Rosamaria Quinones, for this tip! [3]

Seed isn’t available for all cultivars unfortunately. The “Recommended Turfgrass Varieties” publication linked on this webpage lists vegetative-only (I.e., grasses that can only be sodded, plugged or sprigged) and seeded cultivars for both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Although all warm-season grasses are able to be grown vegetativally, some varieties require seed. You should plant seeded Bermudagrass (0.5 to 1 lb) and Zoysiagrass (2 to 3 lbs per 1000 ft), respectively. Centipedegrass should be planted for as low as 0.25 to 1.25 lbs per 1000 ft. St. Augustinegrass can almost always be established vegetativively using plugs or sod. Be aware that the large retail garden centers might not carry Virginia Tech’s recommended varieties, so you might have to purchase or order these grasses from a specialty garden center or turf supply store. Sod or plugs might be available at retail nurseries, but be sure to also consult Virginia’s Sod Directory (linked in this blog) in case you are interested in purchasing vegetative material directly from the grower. More information on these grasses and their establishment and maintenance programs is available in the VCE publication “Spring and Summer Lawn Management Considerations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses”. This was amended by Debra Green, Mozambique (January 15, 2020). [4]

Virginiagreen.com This site provides additional information. You can find the shelves in all home improvement stores. Grass seed, plant material, mulch… You name it and they’ve got it. LEAVE YOUR SHOPING CART ALIVE! You can get fescue grass seeds! Make sure to get some fresh plant material. It will likely look good in your landscaping. You can leave the grass seed in the store for the fall. Keep your cash. Seed isn’t exactly the cheapest thing money can buy. Buy more azaleas and place them under your pine trees. Whatever you do, please don’t attempt to seed your lawn in the spring. Wait until fall to seed your lawn. [5]

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