Seeding Guidelines

What To Expect From Your Seeding Service


This service is designed to thicken sparse or thin areas by applying new seed into your lawn.  The right blend of grass seed has been selected for your lawn’s special conditions.  If your lawn has been aerated in conjunction with seeding, please leave these beneficial cores on your lawn; they will disperse back into the lawn after a few rainfalls.  Within 7 to 21 days, with proper conditions, new seedlings will emerge.  REMEMBER-these plants are very tender and must be treated with extra care.  Keep traffic off seeded areas to ensure healthy seedling growth.

Watering


ESTABLISHMENT: You must irrigate enough to keep the seedbed constantly moist (usually 3 times: 6 am, 10 am, and 2 pm, light watering).  Sufficient moisture is vital to the survival of the seeds and seedlings.  Once the seed has taken in water, the physiological processes begin.  If the seed is allowed to dry out it will die.  If the new seedlings dry out they will wither and die.  Depending upon soil conditions, wind conditions, and amount of sunlight, this may require a light watering 2 to 4 times each day.  After 3 to 5 weeks of ideal conditions, the frequency of watering can be cut back to 1 time per day, with 1/3” to 1/2” penetration, morning is best.  Overwatering, where stagnant puddles of water are allowed to form, prior to germination can cause the seed to rot

Continued Care


For continued growth, lawns perform best with an inch of water a week, delivered by 2-3 applications.  We recommend early morning watering. To determine the length of time to leave your system turned on or to set your sprinklers in one place, set a can or a cup under the main pattern of the spray and time it from the start until it has collected 1/3 to 1/2 inch of water.

Mowing


Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 3 to 4 inches, they can be mowed for the first time.  Your mower should be in good condition, and the mower blade, is newly sharpened.  Remember that we are dealing with a very young and tender plant with a new, root system.  A mower in poor condition can uproot the seedling, or damage the tender grass blade.  DO NOT mow when the soil is moist.  Your footprints and mower wheels will sink into the soil and you could damage or uproot the seedlings.  Once conditions are right for mowing, cut the grass at a height that you plan to keep it at.  Recommended mowing height is 2 1/2 to 3 inches.

Mowing frequency should be governed by the lawn’s growth.  Mow frequently enough as not to remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.  Cutting too short or cutting off too much of the grass plant at one time may shock the grass plant and retard its thickening for 6 to 8 weeks, and cause your lawn to look yellow or even brown.  Do not bag clippings, unless they will result in clumps and windrows on your lawn.

Fertilization


Don’t starve your new seedlings, they need nourishment to grow and thicken.  Proper amounts of fertilizer are necessary for the healthy establishment of seedlings’ new root systems and upper plant growth.  Keep your lawn on a balanced fertilization program for continued healthy growth.  Green Oasis offers a variety of lawn care services to fit your lawn’s needs.

Weed Control


Pre-emergent crabgrass control cannot be used at this time.  It prevents the germination of grassy-type weeds; however, it also prevents the germination of desirable turfgrass seedlings.  It cannot distinguish the difference between these two types of seeds.  Broadleaf weed control should not be used until after the third mowing.  Before weeds can be controlled every effort must be made to establish the new seedlings to their full potential

Seeds/Seeding


We utilize many different varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescues, and Perennial Ryegrass.  These varieties are combined to give the best results for the specific conditions of the area seeded.  The seeds are certified at 85-90% germination.  The process we utilized to seed your lawn is proven and has been done correctly.  The success of this seeding job is entirely up to you!  Water, water, water-keep the seedbed constantly moist, not saturated, all day long for 6 weeks.  Weeds will germinate along with the turfgrass—this is normal.  Weeding can be done over time with weed controls or hand pulling.  This is a process that takes many steps.  A healthy lush turf from seed is not accomplished in a few weeks or months.  It normally takes at least one full year to fully establish, and another good growing season to thicken to full potential.  In the end, with proper maintenance, you will be able to enjoy a thick healthy turf germinated and tailored to the growing conditions of your property.  Overseeding is a tool to be utilized as needed for areas that are thin, diseased, or stressed.  New seed varieties are being engineered for drought and disease resistance, color quality, and many other desirable traits.  Keep building your turf with top-quality seed and seeding practices, as it is needed—in patches, areas, or entire lawns.

Responsibility/Agreement


YOUR LAWN WILL / HAS BEEN SEEDED WITH CERTIFIED SEED. WE CHOOSE THE BEST-SUITED BLEND OF TURFGRASS FOR YOUR SPECIFIC AREAS. THE SUCCESS OF THE SEEDING IS ENTIRELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOMEOWNER, BECAUSE, WITH PROPER WATERING AND MAINTENANCE, NEW SEEDLINGS WILL GERMINATE IN 7 TO 21 DAYS. NO GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY IS GIVEN DUE TO EVENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. (HEAVY RAINS, WASHOUTS, PUDDLING, DROUGHT, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, WEEDS, ETC.)

PLEASE if you have any questions about the maintenance of your newly seeded lawn,
give us a call at (715) 832-0800 or (651) 437-0006. We’d be happy to hear from you.