Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

As fall winds down and outdoor projects wrap up, there’s one more yard task you can tackle before the snow flies: dormant seeding your lawn. Late October to early November is the ideal time to frost seed areas that are bare or thin.

Dormant seeding involves sowing grass seed before the ground freezes. This allows the seed to sit through winter and sprout in early spring. To be successful, the seeding must occur after temperatures have dropped enough to prevent germination (soil temperatures below 50°F). If the seed sprouts too early, it won’t survive the winter.

Follow these steps for successful dormant seeding:

1. Select the right seed: Use mixes with Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues for sunny areas, and a higher concentration of shade-tolerant fine fescues for shaded spots. Note: even shade-tolerant grasses prefer some sunlight, so shaded areas may not develop thick coverage.

2. Prep the site: Loosen the top half inch or more of soil. Compact areas may need deeper cultivation. Use a hand or power rake to remove plant debris and ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

3. Apply seed properly: Spread seed at the recommended rate (typically 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet) using a spreader, by hand, or with a slit seeder. Check the seed bag for specific details.

4. Ensure seed contact: Lightly rake or roll the area to increase seed-to-soil contact.

5. Water thoroughly: Water the area thoroughly but avoid making it soggy. If there’s a warm spell and the soil dries out, a light watering might be necessary, though it’s rarely needed.

6. Wait until spring!

Dormant seeding is an excellent way to get ahead on lawn care, especially in areas that stay wet or poorly drained in spring. Keep in mind that some seed may be lost to birds, rodents, or erosion. Seeding just before snow falls can help protect the seed. For sloped areas, erosion control, like straw or erosion blankets, may be necessary. Steep slopes (more than 3% grade) may not be suitable for dormant seeding and might need to wait until spring for better conditions.

In spring, be patient and give the grass time to germinate. Soil temperatures need to rise above 50°F, and air temperatures should be over 60°F. Grass species may take 10-14 days to sprout, so allow time before reseeding bare spots.

For more details on dormant seeding, visit: https://extension.umn.edu/lawncare/dormant-seeding

Until next time, happy gardening!

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“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.” ~George Eliot