Make New Lawns In The Fall… Eight Reasons Why

Styles in lawn making have changed during the past 10 years. For example in 1940 at least 70% of all the lawn seed sown was put on in the Spring. It does seem the logical time for it’s when nature gives out with all the glory she possesses.

Yet, her own seeding time is Fall. It has taken man a long time to catch on. Only through the processes of education has the public changed its buying habits, for now 40% of our lawns are seeded and reseeded in the Autumn – that favorable period between early September and the end of October.

I am familiar with experimental work which has shown that actually one may successfully sow grass seed during any month in the year. After two years, the 12 plots (one was sown each month with an identical formula) looked so much alike it was hard to distinguish the winner, although the September plot has consistently appeared somewhat better than the others and from the start was freer from weeds.

So fundamentally, Fall is the right time to build a new lawn or put new life into an old one.

The reasons are these:

1. Fall is nature’s time and she does not employ guess-work.

2. Fall-sown grasses root deeper. They also stool or tiller out as the farmers say, meaning sound preparation for the rigors of Winter.

3. Fall-sown grasses get ahead of weeds. The latter, going into a dormant stage, put up a weak battle against the new grasses.

4. You can sow less seed in the Fall. That is important these days because short seed crops for three consecutive years have contributed to high prices. Extra heavy consumption has added further fuel. So seeding a lawn when a dollar goes the farthest is obviously good business. The reason one can sow less seed in the Fall is that the ground is good and warm. Germination is more complete, and there is not that damage to young grass from rot and damping off. A considerable Spring toll is taken by contrast.

5. The soil is more friable in the Fall. While this is not often given as a Fall seeding argument, it is a valid one because a well-prepared seed bed is an important step in lawn making. The ground does not break up well in the Spring, especially as early in the Spring as seeding should be done. Finishing the proper grade is also difficult in the Spring, while the washing rains often dislodge soil and wash away seed and fertilizer.

6. Falling leaves may pose a Fall problem with new grass just showing through, but this is a blessing in disguise. It proves that the tree is through taking heavy supplies of food and moisture from the soil for the time being so grass gets more than its customary share. The leaves can be swept off without too much trouble. It is not wise to allow them to stay on young grass in particular because, when wet, they result in smothering.

7. Cool or even cold weather is easier on grass than hot weather, so young Fall grass has easier sailing ahead than Spring-sown.

8. This is superficial and involves persons rather than procedures. You can get help easier in the Fall. Spring usually finds folks busy with all sorts of after-Winter projects. Fall usually finds them relaxed. That applies even to members of your own family. Of course, the urge to work might be lacking, but the advantage is on the plus side.

An ideal Fall lawn program is to get rid of weeds first. Even crab grass can now be squelched. When it has passed out of the picture something should be done to reestablish good grass. If bare places are left, chickweed, dandelion, plantain, ground ivy and a host of other “unwanteds” will fill in. They always do because nature abhors bare places. Weeds were probably her last resort for preventing erosion. With man’s co-operation there is a better way.

When the crab grass has succumbed, the lawn should be fertilized or fed, as we say, and after a vigorous raking, grass seed sown. The gentle rains, usually characteristic of Fall, should do the rest. When Spring comes the home owner, whose lawn has had intelligent Fall attention, will be blessed with a lawn which his neighbors are likely to attribute to a half dozen things – most of which will most certainly be wrong. Misinformation about the care of your lawn is as common as bad advice on running the government.

C Mills

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Fall Lawn Care Maintenance Tips You Cannot Ignore
• No Grass Under Trees Growing
• Guide to Sowing Grass Seed
• Seeding A Brand New Lawn

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