When is the best time for seeding lawns in Ohio?

Give your newly seeded lawn the best opportunity to develop into healthy turf by following these simple guidelines

Seeding your lawn does not have to be a tedious never-ending task. There are a few things you can do to help your newly laid seed have the best chance at developing into a thick healthy turf. Southern Ohio is mostly made up of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Tall or Fine Fescue. These are known as cool season grass species.

• Cool season grass usually grow best between 60 – 75 degrees F air temperature with soil temperatures ranging from 55 – 65 degrees F.
• Soil preparation is key. Most grass species will tolerate a well balances pH between 6.0 – 7.5. Soil testing kits are usually available at most home goods stores. Test your soil and add the necessary soil amendments to raise or lower your lawns pH, or to stabilize hard compacted/clay soils.
  
  • Lime – raising pH levels
  • Elemental Sulfur – lowering pH levels
  • Gypsum – increases water penetration, loosens compacted soils which allows for easier root penetration, all without raising or lowering the pH levels
• Planting late August through October is a prime time to start the seeding process.
• Fall moisture will usually keep the soil moist enough however, germinating seed should not be allowed to dry during the germination process so some hose watering may be needed as you will want the top 1 – 3 inches of soil to remain moist but not overly saturated.
• Germination times can vary under different conditions from 5 – 21 days however, most turf will take 4 – 10 weeks to become fully established and be ready to withstand constant foot and mower traffic.