It’s hard to believe we are actually close to the time of year when the temperatures starts to cool down. The good thing is the cool temps are what tall fescue thrives in! So, if your tall fescue lawn has thinned out over the years fall is a great time to overseed. Use the following information if you plan to overseed this fall.
• Mow the lawn to 1 1⁄2 inch height.
• Core aerate if the soil is compacted.
• Power rake, using spring tines or thin blades.
• Remove debris with hand rake or lawnmower and catcher.
• Sow seed uniformly. Use 6 to 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet if repairing large, dead areas. Use a half-rate (3 to 5 pounds) if trying to thicken a thin lawn.
• Fertilize with 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
• Water in the seed and fertilizer.
• Do not use crabgrass preventers, except siduron (Tupersan) or mesotrione (Tenacity), until grass is well established.
