For overseeding and new grass I use a starter fertilizer (24-25-4). Starters release slowly with successive watering nutrients to feed young emerging lawn grass. If your lawn consists of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, or perennial ryegrass, choose a product specially designed for overseeding thin lawns, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick’R Lawn™ Sun & Shade, which combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into an easy-to-use product you apply … Keep everyone off the lawn so the new grass has time to become established. ft. Secondly, while you are planting the seeds. You donít want to apply it directly to newly planted sod or burning can occur. The best way to do this is to use a broadcast or rotary spreader. This is especially true if a soil test says your soil Phosphorus (P) is low. Water the lawn lightly, twice daily at first, while the grass seeds germinate. The test will note just what nutrients require beefing up in the soil to benefit your turfís growth and how much is required. If there's a heavy layer of thatch or the soil is compacted, aerate the soil. ft. will speed up seedling development.”, When it comes to explaining phosphorus and its role Landschoot also notes, ‘”Phosphorus is included in starter fertilizer primarily to enhance root development. Types of starter fertilizers include those with NPK amounts of 5-10-5, 10-20-10, 5-20-10 and 16-20-0, according to the University of California. You overseed with fescue when the fescue areas become thin. quick-release nitrogen per 1,000 sq. Method-1: You can apply fertilizer first. Then you can add your fertilizer to that pure water. (Best of the blues from seedland). This is especially true if a soil test says your soil Phosphorus (P) is low. Hello, I just over seeded my lawn on Sept 18. Probably not. She writes a weekly garden column and authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden. I understand that many factors come in place and will stick to 2 weeks in for my overseeding area. The all-purpose, non-burning formula feeds for up to 8 to 10 weeks. Simply apply the starter fertilizer after overseeding the lawn. It doesn't really matter if you fertilize or overseed first. Fertilize with a slow-release 18-1-8 fertilizer using a spreader, four to eight weeks after the fescue germinates. Time To Apply. The starter fertilizer might not contain all the required nutrients for continued growth and good health. 18-24-12. However, if you desire, you can spread the starter fertilizer over the site immediately after spreading your grass seed. Although various starter fertilizers for grass may differ slightly in composition, they all give the grass seeds and new sod the nutritional boost required for healthy germination and rapid root growth. Warm season grasses aren't the only ones that may need overseeding. Penn State Extension notes that analyses of 15-10-10 or 10-6-4 are also acceptable used as starter fertilizers for grass, as they also promote good early growth and grass development. Mixing grass seed with Milorganite is an effective way to spread seed accurately. Immediately after aeration, your lawn is ripe for overseeding and fertilizing. Overseeding requires one half of the grass seed that would be needed for seeding a new lawn. This timing gives your new grass plenty of time to harden off and tolerate the summer of 2014. When overseeding lawns, you may find it necessary to apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. Obviously, this can vary quite a bit by region, so another way to tell when you begin is to pay attention to your lawn. If you are applying the product after you apply grass seed, spread the product over the soil and water into the soil. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there's plenty of sunlight. What Fertilizer Do You Put on Fescue Grass in the Winter? If your fine fescue lawn (Festuca rubra or Festuca brevipila) sees a lot of foot traffic or it has been a long, hot summer, overseeding with a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) increases the lawn's ability to withstand kids, pets and summer heat. When overseeding lawns, you may find it necessary to apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. However, some new formulas have different schedules to … Addressing soils that aren’t amended with organic materials Landschoot continues, “In cases where soils are not amended with compost, nitrogen is almost always needed for rapid establishment. Regular slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen is best for planting sod or giving your existing lawn a boost. It can be applied to all-new lawns, or to help bare spots recover. Seedling grasses need greater amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus than mature grass plants because seedlings are producing new tissues rapidly and thus have higher energy and nutrition requirements.” Reseeding a lawn will take more time, but sod will be more expensive. Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist and writer who focuses primarily on garden topics. Once applied, work the product 4 to 6 inches into the soil, if you are planting grass seed or sod after the application. The Best Time to Apply Starter Fertilizer for Grass Seed. Soil samples can be collected any time during the year as long as soil is not frozen. Nitrogen and phosphorus from indiscriminate use of fertilizers have caused such great environmental concerns that about half the states in the U.S. have imposed some sort of regulations on fertilizer use. This Miracle Gro Lawn Food will fertilize all type of grass/lawn. Water thoroughly after applying the fertilizer. Work the starter fertilizer into the top 2 to 4 inches of soil. Starter lawn fertilizer helps your grass seedlings and sod roots establish rapidly in the soil, leading to a thick new lawn in a short period. It can cover your fescue lawn to up to 7,000 square feet for 1 box. You donít want to apply it directly to newly planted sod or burning can occur. However, some types contain two parts of nitrogen and one part of phosphorous and potassium. Use a Starter Fertilizer Fertilizer is the other needed product for seeding. In the North, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. What is the best mix for a starter fertilizer? Alternatively, if you prefer to use organic methods, rake 1 to 2 inches of a manure-based compost over the lawn. ft. can burn the young turf and result in poor establishment. Used properly, it won’t be long before your bare feet are enjoying the feel of your healthy lawn. Water it before planting the fescue seed. When it comes to the specific job of each of these primary nutrients in regards to the health of your turf: Some examples of the formulations of common starter fertilizers for lawns are 10-10-10, 20-10-10 and 16-8-8. Our research shows a greater influence of nitrogen compared to phosphorus on the rate of turf establishment, so if you can’t use phosphorus (or you think there is enough phosphorus in the soil), an application of 1 lb. It won’t hurt the grass, but might lack the needed nutrients that a well-balanced fertilizer for continued lawn maintenance contains. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®. When applying a starter fertilizer, itís best to apply before seeding or before laying sod, or after you plant your grass seed. When the soil temperature falls to 50 to 65 degrees or the air temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, apply a starter fertilizer for overseeding. Before scattering fescue seed over your lawn, take time to prepare the existing grass and any exposed soil. Fill a hand-held rotary or push-type drop spreader and apply the seed to the lawn according to the manufacturer's directions. Starter fertilizers for lawns come in different compositions of the primary nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P-phosphate) and potassium (K-potash), or the three numbers listed on the package (NPK). Generally, developing seedlings growing in compact soils during cold temperature periods are thought to benefit more from phosphorus in starter fertilizer.î. Just pour the required amount into a standard fertilizer spreader and evenly apply the starter fertilizer over the planting site. Be sure to use a turf-type tall fescue cultivar such as 'Cayenne' or '2nd Millennium' or a blend designed to withstand foot traffic and warm temperatures in your area. My soil tests always showed low P. I am attributing this to 2 renos in 2 years. Using a fertilizer high in nitrogen at the time of seeding may result in burnt seeds. There are both slow-release and quick-release formulations, with the latter delivering a quick green-up dose of nitrogen. Lebanon’s ProScape® Starter Fertilizer 21-22-4 with Mesotrione is ideal for use during turf establishment (bare ground seeding, sodding, sprigging or plugging), renovation or overseeding. In addition, nitrogen can easily be leached from the soil before the grass even has a chance to uptake its nutrients. Whether you are planting new grass from scratch or repairing bare spots, figuring out a proper fertilizer to get your grass off to the best start can be daunting. It is best to apply starter fertilizer just before, or at the same time as planting grass seed. Apply a Starter Fertilizer When the soil temperature falls to 50 to 65 degrees or the air temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, apply a starter fertilizer for overseeding. Concentrate on seeding and watering and forget about additional fertilizer until the grass is well sprouted. (For best results, use a Scotts spreader!) But, you have to ensure overseeding your lawn at least 6-8 week after spreading fertilizer. Get easy-to-understand, actionable yard tips that will give you the greenest grass on the block. When it comes to using a starter fertilizer for new sod or grass seed, thereís a definite benefit to its use to promote the healthiest growth and establishment of your lawn in the quickest amount of time. Amounts in excess of 1.5 lb. If you are spot seeding, then yes fertilize with a starter(if needed). © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. You can use a starter fertilizer with an N-P-K amount of 5-10-5 at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet, according to the University of California. Fertilizer Analysis 20-27-5" so, there you go. buy it, spread it, drink a beer(s). When it comes to knowing how much starter fertilizer for the grass youíll need, Penn State Extension suggests taking a soil test. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration. I've found that a good topsoil, rake in seed then top with peat moss or compost(not to heavy) does the trick. Starter fertilizers will contain higher amounts of phosphorus (Middle number on the bag of fertilizer). The ideal situation would be to collect soil and submit the sample(s) to a test lab as close to the time of establishment as possible. This is especially true if a soil test says your soil Phosphorus (P) is low. Even properly applied starter fertilizer may not be enough food to maintain a healthy start for your grass. You need to give attention to the seedgermination and their growth so that you can apply starter fertilizer according to the grass type you like to grow. This is certainly the case with bio-solids or manure-based composts which contain significant amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, so a starter fertilizer is not needed.”. If you don’t overseed, there’s no need to top-dress in fall. When applying a starter fertilizer, itís best to apply before seeding or before laying sod, or after you plant your grass seed. Always check the rates on the bag as they vary among brands. Apply at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. There are benefits to incorporating the starter fertilizer into the soil before planting. Use a metal thatch rake to remove the grass clippings, thatch and debris. Therefore, itís best to till into the soil 4 to 6 inches with any additional amendments you are adding. Two specific moments are better to apply starter fertilizer. Sweep any loose granules on the sidewalk or driveway back onto the grass. I was thinking of getting bulk bags fromTSC, but they don’t label things the way Scott’s would. You can apply every 4 to 6 weeks at any season when your fescue lawn is growing. Plus it makes you mow sooner. It’s generally best to apply Milorganite fertilizer to warm-season grass at the following times of year: Easter (this should be after the turf comes out of dormancy): The application rate at this time is 32 pounds per 2,500 square feet. Use your seed spreader to apply the fertilizer in two directions. I will be overseeding this fall and I need an economical fertilizer since my lawn is about 20,000 sq ft. Lawn fertilizer packaging will include instructions on which setting to use on a spreader. Similarly, do I need to fertilize when I overseed? I’m sure there’s no wrong way. Generally speaking, the first time you fertilize in the spring will likely be sometime between the beginning of March and the middle of April. That generally equates to days when air temperature consistently hits 60 to 75 degrees. so your lawn stays green through the cold season. Make sure not to over-apply by following the application rate provided on the fertilizer… Peter Landschoot, Ph.D., professor of turfgrass science at Penn State Extension states, “Yes, both seed and sod. “Even though sod is mostly composed of mature turf, many of the roots have been severed during the harvesting operation,” Landschoot says. Method-2: You can also plan to apply fertilizer after a certain time later from the overseeding on your lawn. I had my lawn care company put down a starter fertilizer instead of my normally scheduled fertilizer on Sept. 22. To keep the fescue green and growing, water regularly and apply fertilizer on a regular schedule. Using a Starter Fertilizer When overseeding lawns, you may find it necessary to apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. LawnStarter is a startup making lawn care easy affordable and reliable. Starter fertilizers vary, but most are either a 10-10-10 or a 20-10-10 formulation. When to Apply Fertilizer Once your lawn has sprouted after about six weeks, an additional feeding of starter fertilizer is appropriate. Overseeding starter fertilizer is applied right before seeding. The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance service recommends overseeding at least 45 days before your average first fall frost. Application of a starter fertilizer is not a substitute for the phosphate and potash recommended on your soil test report.”, When it comes to situations where a starter fertilizer for grass isnít required, Landschoot advises, “In some cases, a 1- or 2-inch layer of good quality compost amended into soil before establishing turf will provide more than enough nitrogen and phosphorus for optimum establishment. Fertilizing in late October builds energy in the grass root systems, forcing grass plants to push new roots and rhizomes. Firstly, before seeding when you are preparing the soil. Overseeding after aerating is a no-brainer, and it is the best possible time to do so, according to our Gaithersburg lawn care partners.-Apply soil amendments: Lime, Fertilizer… Instead, use either a more traditional type fertilizer, or an organic, slow-release fertilizer such as an 18-1-8 formulation which is better suited for an existing lawn. Once you’ve received your soil test, selected an appropriate starter fertilizer for your soil and know the needed amounts, applying it over the lawn area is relatively basic.