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Winter Seeding 2013
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Why on earth would you want to sow grass seed now? This is John Scott, and let me tell you why...
Cold then warm, wet then dry, it seems like a flu and cold season nightmare; but for a self-professed lawn addict, the conditions are perfect to get a jump start on repairing and thickening my lawn the easy way. Winter lawn seeding is a wonderful way to work hand in hand with Mother Nature: getting grass seed worked into the soil through freezing and thawing, ready to sprout this spring the moment Mother Nature says it's time.
I over-seed sections of my lawn every winter that need repaired, but also over-seed the entire lawn once every three years to introduce the latest and greatest new varieties of turf that Randy Tischer, owner of locally owned Greene Velvet Sod Farm, has researched specifically for our area. Added to their already great blends, you get enhanced performance in drought hardiness and disease and insect resistance.
Winter seeding is simple: determine what grass you have (for matching purposes) or want (for long term success), spread over the problem areas, and then sit back and let the freezing and thawing action work it into the ground (I do this right before a snowfall when possible, so I can see my weak spots and the snow locks it into place). Just remember next spring to either skip the crabgrass pre-emergent and just use a good starter fertilizer or be sure to use a special crabgrass pre-emergent that is safe for use on seeding projects.
This is a simple yet effective technique that will give you a good reason to look forward to the temperature and weather swings we are sure to feel for the next couple of months, especially next May when your lawn looks a whole lot better than it did last fall. If you have any winter lawn care questions, call me anytime. I love to talk about lawns!