Master Gardeners: Now is the time to renovate or plant a new lawn

September is an ideal time to reseed thinning patches in your lawn or to establish a new lawn. At this time of year, the warm soil and the longer, cooler nights help prevent the seedlings from drying out as quickly and allow rapid root growth.

For our area, a mixture of perennial ryegrass, fescue and Kentucky bluegrass is recommended. Perennial ryegrass is very quick to germinate and is capable of going from scattered seed to mowable lawn in about 21 days. It provides shade and protection to the other grass species like Kentucky bluegrass, which can take up to three weeks to get started. Fescue is heat- and drought-tolerant. Turf-type tall fescues have a wider leaf blade than fine fescues and are often used in seed blends where a shade loving, slow-growing or drought-resistant turf is desired. Fescues require much less water and nutrients to thrive than traditional lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that grows best during the fall, winter and spring months when temperatures are cool. During the summer months if stressed for water, Kentucky bluegrass can go dormant.

Fescues and perennial ryegrass are drought-tolerant and can handle traffic (such as dogs and kids) well. The blend of grasses provides a good mix to obtain a healthy green turf. It is recommended to use certified seed.

Steps for renovating a lawn

Improve thin areas by:

• Aerating, raking out dead grass.

• Overseeding, applying lawn patch products.

• Top-dressing the area with about 1/4 inch of compost.

• Keeping seeded area moist.

Steps for planting a new lawn (seeding):

• Get a soil test to know if any amendments are needed.

• Apply any amendments and weed-free compost over the area to be seeded.

• Rototill the site to a depth of 4-6 inches and remove rocks, clods, sticks and other debris. Note: do not rototill wet soil.

• Rent a lawn rake/roller. Divide the seed in two parts. Apply one half (at 2-3 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet) in one direction. Apply the second half at a right angle to the first part.

• Rake and then roll the seeded area.

• Cover lightly with a 1/4-inch layer of mulch.

• Keep area moist until seedlings have been established (2-3 weeks).

Steps for planting a new lawn (sod):

• Sod usually comes in 3-foot sections, 18 inches wide, with less than 1/2 inch of soil attached.

• Choose high-quality sod that is actively growing.

• Prepare the soil as in the steps above for planting a new lawn, rototilling the area and removing any rocks, debris, et cetera.

• Start laying the sod along a straight edge such as next to a driveway or sidewalk.

• Unroll sod pieces tightly against each other but do not overlap.

• Using a sharp knife, cut sod pieces to fit curves or small areas.

• After the sod has been installed, roll it to ensure good contact with the soil.

• Irrigate with about 1 inch of water to achieve complete wetting of the sod and at least 1 inch of soil.

• After watering, lift up edges of the sod at several locations to be sure water has penetrated the sod and soil below.

• Continue watering one or two times a day to prevent the sod from wilting and keep the soil moist. As sod becomes established, gradually reduce the frequency of watering.

• Do not saturate the sod and soil to the point of standing water. New roots could begin to rot under these conditions. After sod has been mown two or three times, water deeply and infrequently depending on the weather conditions.

Washington State Master Gardeners will be offering an intensive home horticultural training program starting in January 2021. The training is being designed for people interested in learning, but not necessarily interested in the volunteer part of the Master Gardener program. The training will be done virtually and taught by WSU and staff over 20 Saturdays from January through April. Participants who complete the training will get a certificate of completion. Registration will open on Nov. 14, through WSU, and access to the course space will open on Dec. 14, 2020. Cost will be $300 per student. The number of registrants will be capped since space is limited. WSU Zoom meetings will be the program platform for the Saturday classes.

For more information on this training or to ask questions about gardening, contact the WSU Grant-Adams Master Gardeners at the Grant Extension office at 754-2011, ext. 2313, or by email at ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu.