After our hot, dry weather most of this summer in Atlanta, mature plants begin to slow down their reproduction rate. Since a blade of grass lives only an average of 45 to 60 days, production of new growth must continually outpace the dieback of older leaves. Young grass will produce new growth faster than older grass. Therefore, one of the most important secrets to maintaining a healthy, thick lawn is to make sure your grass is young. Georgia’s hot, dry summers put additional stress on fescue turf areas so the annual aeration and overseeding of the turf area is very important to establish a healthy stand of grass for 2012.
Unique Environmental Landscapes starts overseeding of fescue lawns in late summer or early fall. We recommend September 15 through October 15. There are many reasons for this. With fall germination, the young grass will have two or three months to become better established before temperatures drop too low and growth stops. The roots will be established before winter, which greatly reduces crop loss should you have a hot, dry spring.
Maintenance that Follows Overseeding ~ Keeping the Seeds Moist
After the aeration & overseeding is done, the seeds will need moisture to germinate. Keep the soil moist (but not overly wet) by lightly sprinkling two times a day throughout the required germination period. After germination, gradually reduce the frequency and increase the time of irrigation watering until a normal irrigation program can be established. Unique will monitor (our landscape maintenance clients) and adjust your irrigation system during this critical period of seed germination.
