We are entering my favorite season of the year! Fall is the best, temperatures cool down and the time to plant tall fescue is upon us!
Cool-season grasses like tall fescue are best seeded in early September. Seeds germinate and grow rapidly in the warm soil with time to become well established before winter. Warm, fall days and cool nights are ideal for seedling growth. Plus, there is less weed competition than in the spring. Early October seeding can be successful if fall temperatures remain mild, but chances of the seedlings becoming well established before winter are not as likely as in September, and winter weeds can become a problem.
If your goal is to improve an existing lawn or fill bare spots, overseeding is a better practice than starting over. Start by mowing the lawn short (1 to 1 1/2 inches) to help move seed down through the canopy and allow light to reach it. A power rake or core aerator can be used to improve the soil. Seeder-slicer units are also available to cut through thatch and sow seed at the same time. Seed selection, sowing, watering and fertilization principles are the same as for new plantings. However, the seeding rate should be cut in half to account for existing turf. Too much new seed can create excess competition and weaken the lawn. If only a few spots need to be reseeded, they can be prepared with a hand rake. Sow the seed uniformly by hand. Spread a thin layer of soil over the seed or work it in with the rake.
