Don’t let these late fall seeding myths discourage you from excellent lawn care.
Many homeowners may be reluctant to seed their lawn in the fall. They may worry that waiting until late fall to begin seeding will mean that their lawn will not fully benefit from new growth. The truth is that late fall seeding can be quite beneficial. However, misleading myths may be keeping you from taking advantage of this service. If the following myths keep you from seeding your lawn this fall, read on to learn why they are incorrect.
It Is Too Late in the Year
One myth is that after a specific date on the calendar, you have missed your chance to seed your lawn effectively. In reality, the best time for seeding depends on many factors, not just the date. The factors that matter the most are soil temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, soil profile, available sunlight, and how you water the new seed. In Maryland, it can take a while for the soil to cool, so the arrival of fall does not necessarily mean frozen ground.
You Cannot Seed After a Frost
You may also believe once there has been a frost, your seed cannot germinate. In fact, an early-season frost may affect seed that has already germinated but should not affect a seed still in its casing. A single frost does not mean that soil temperatures will not be favorable into the fall. If your seed has remained in its casing, it will lay dormant until conditions are right. If a frost occurs shortly after seeding, your seeds may remain in their cases a bit longer and then sprout once the frost has cleared.
Your Lawn Will Not Fill In
Another late fall seeding myth is that your lawn will never fill in if you wait to seed it. The truth is that dormant seeding can yield very satisfactory results. Late fall seeding can often generate a very productive growing season the following year. Dormant seeding is a viable option for re-establishing your desired turf density.
You Cannot Apply Crabgrass Control
A worrisome myth is that seeding late in the season means you will have to deal with crabgrass next summer or risk killing the seed. However, there are other options for controlling crabgrass that do not interfere with your seeding. Using control products that target grassy weeds means your late fall seeding will have a chance to germinate in the spring while the crabgrass remains under control.
A Re-Seeded Lawn Should Be Full by Winter
This myth is incorrect because cool-season grasses take a long time to mature during any season. Once the germination process has begun, which can take about 10 to 14 days, the cool-season grasses have a maturation process they go through. The longest stage is “tillering,” which can take up to six months. Tillering is when new plants sprout from the original “Mother plant” to help fill in your lawn. This means that your lawn will not look thick in winter, but in the spring, when you can coincidentally appreciate it the most.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!