As we wait for late summer rains to turn our brown lawns green, we may be in for a surprise.
If you’re not sure how your lawn is faring, consistently water a few small spots for about a week to see if any sign of green grass appears.
This company supplies a wide variety of seeds for playing fields, golf courses and turf farms, and provides the farming community with seeds for pastureland and animal grazing, as well as ground covers for berry crops.
The hot, dry weather has caused crop failures of many different types of grass seed, resulting in serious shortages and higher prices.
Even the Peace River Valley in northern B.C., where a tremendous amount of fescue grass is grown, is experiencing a much-reduced crop this year.
A minimum of 12 to 18 inches of quality, well-draining soil or a sand/soil mix, where roots can grow deep and be far less water dependent, is what is needed for a healthy lawn.
If improving your soil situation is not possible now, Wall recommends at least aerating your lawn before overseeding in order to give the seed more places to germinate.
However, because of the existing shortages, Wall suggests: “Use any perennial rye grass you can find.” Overseeding at the rate of five to 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet is the ratio Wall recommends.
Today, many folks are also adding micro clover to their seed blends, and if you want to do this, Wall suggests adding about one pound per 3,000 sq.
Depending on when you overseed and what the night temperatures and moisture levels are, germination at this time of year should take place in four to seven days.
From the production of oxygen and the sequestering of carbon to the cooling effect they create and the soil enhancement that benefits many microorganisms and helpful insects and worms, lawns are far more important than just an attractive green surround.
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