Seed Lawns In Fall: It's The Best Time

October is undoubtedly the best time in the year for sowing a new lawn or reseeding an old one. The cooler temperatures now prevailing are ideal for grass growing. This is also the season for renovating old and worn out grass areas.

It is interesting to note that dealers are now offering new crop grass seed. Blue grass is usually harvested around July, then cured, cleaned and tested for germination and purity. The seeds sown now should grow with maximum vigor. Buying your seed from a reputable dealer and inspecting the test tag on each package of grass seed is your assurance of good quality.

Grasses grow rapidly at this time although the length of time required to establish a turf also depends on the variety. Blue grass takes comparatively longer than most varieties; the ryes, clover and red top germinate quite rapidly. However, with any of the well balanced mixtures you should have an attractive lawn in just several weeks.

Lawns started in spring have to compete with annual w£er}s which are then rushing ahead full of vim and vigor. These weeds are less active during the cooler part of the year such as October and November. Bermuda or devil grass, one of the worst lawn pests we have, tends to go dormant with cool weather. Lawns started during the fall often become so well established by spring that Bermuda, which starts growth again, may have a tough time making inroads.

With more expensive grass seed mixtures are undoubtedly the best in the long run. They usually contain a fairly high percentage of blue grass. This is the basic ingredient of all mixtures, in California as well as elsewhere. It germinates slowly but is a persistent grower and will probably still be in your lawn after all other varieties have died out. The percentage of pure blue grass seed in a grass seed mixture, as well as that of all other varieties contained, is clearly indicated on the test tag.

It is best to sow grass seed early in the morning or whenever the wind is at a minimum. Broadcast the seed first in one direction, than make a second sowing at right angles to the first. This insures even distribution. Rake the seed gently into the soil; some gardeners claim that raking the seed in one direction only is sufficient.

After the area has been seeded it is advisable to cover the entire plot with steer manure or peat. Steer is probably the most popular medium in the Long Beach area for this gardening job. It is available at all garden supply stores and is packed in bags containing approximately two and one-quarter cubic feet of weed-free manure. Use just enough steer to cover the area. It acts as a protective mulch, sheltering the tiny plants from wind and sun and tends to conserve moisture.

Lawn renovation can be a big and, only too often, a backbreaking job. Unless you enjoy hard work just for the fun of it, better obtain the services of a commercial renovation concern. They use the necessary equipment and can do the job—usually better than an amateur—in about half the time ordinarily required.

When the lawn is first raked thoroughly to remove all loose Bermuda grass runners. Then the lawn is mowed as close to the surface as possible. The entire area is then subjected to a power renovating machine.

This equipment cuts off the Bermuda below the surface and chews up the entire mass of stubble and roots. During the process the soil is aerated and pests lurking just beneath the surface are brought to light. They then may be quickly eradicated.

The area treated is then raked clear and all the debris uprooted is removed from the premises. Ordinarily the surface is made smooth and level and the bed made ready for reseeding. If the soil Is of poor texture this is the time to condition it. Adding liberal quantities of peat will be found most helpful.

After the lawn is seeded, make sure that the surface is kept constantly moist. This step will determine the success or failure of your new lawn. It may be necessary to water several times a day during warm weather or in persistent winds.