In Northeast Ohio, September is grass seed month. Whether you are seeding bare areas or seeding an entire lawn, you will get you best results by seeding now, when the hottest days of summer are generally behind us, but there’s plenty of warm weather left to encourage quick germination and allow roots to get established before the first frost.
Unfortunately, many homeowners find the process of seeding frustrating. Seed germinates poorly or not at all, weeds invade, or the finished lawn fails to fill in and become the lush carpet they envisioned. While preparation and care are important to successful seeding, the process starts with choosing the right seed for your location and conditions. Grass species are categorized by region but also chosen for the amount of sunlight and water needed for each type to thrive.
In our region, grass varieties that are considered cold season grasses grow the best. These include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue, but don’t expect to choose just one of these. Your options for seed will likely be blends of two or more of these species, and your best mix will depend on the makeup of your soil, its moisture content and whether the area to be seeded is full sun, part sun or mostly shade.
Understanding these grass varieties is helpful.
Kentucky Bluegrass
This is the most prominent grass variety in an Ohio lawn, chosen for its fine texture and ability to fill in quickly for a lush lawn. It handles both cold and warm temperatures well but does require regular watering during summer heat to retain its color. Good drainage, moderate acidity and partial to full sun is best for optimum growth. Kentucky bluegrass takes a bit longer to germinate and establish, so care must be taken to minimize weeds during the growing process.
Perennial Ryegrass
With the fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass has the advantage of germinating more quickly for a more established lawn if you are short on time. It also holds color better in extreme heat but is slightly less resistant to colder temperatures. Perennial ryegrass needs a little more care relative to its disease resistance. Well drained soils of moderate acidity provide optimum growth.
Tall Fescue
This species is appreciated for its low maintenance and high resistance to insects and disease. It provides a courser texture lawn but tolerates hot dry summers without losing color. Tall fescue germinates quickly, but young seedlings will generally not survive cold winter temperatures. It is crucial to plant this species early enough for it to be well established before the first frost.
Fine Fescue
Fine fescue is a hardy, fine-textured grass that will thrive in unfavorable soils, shady areas, and dry conditions. Minimal fertilizer and limited watering are best to maintain this species. Most seed blends will include some Fine Fescue because of its resilience in less favorable conditions.
The best grass seed blend for your lawn
Any cold season grass seed blend will grow in Northeast Ohio, but to get a full, lush lawn, take time to determine the particulars of the area you plan to seed. By checking moisture content throughout the lawn, identifying the sun-shade ratio, and documenting the acidity of the soil, you will be able to choose a seed blend that will grow well everywhere on your property.
If you are starting a lawn from seed or plan to seed bare areas on your property, contact Boyle’s Nursery & Landscaping for advice and guidance on grass seed blends and everything you will need to seed your lawn. Prefer to let the professionals handle it? Boyle’s provides full-service seeding and sodding. Click here for more information about all of Boyle’s services.