Bluegrass Seeding and Propagation

Planting New Lawn

Starting a new lawn by bluegrass seeding is similar to many other lawn grasses. Bluegrass is generally best planted in the early fall.

Prepare the Seed bed, Grade, smooth and level the lawn, remove debris such as stones twigs etc. Lightly till the first several inches of soil. This will help loosen and provide a good foundation for your grass seed. Work in a good starter fertilizer. Fertilizers such as a 28-24-6 would be ideal. You need a fertilizer that has a generous amount of nitrogen (28) and a higher rate of phosphorous then usual (24).

Bluegrass Seed
Bluegrass Seed - Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

The phosphorous will encourage vigorous root growth in your new lawn helping it to establish itself into a dense turf. Spread the seed at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 1000 square feet, rake the seed in to a depth of 1/4” and if needed, use straw as a light mulch to prevent erosion. Water daily for 30 days to give all of the seed a good chance to germinate. Now would be a good time to add amendments to the soil. Peat moss is an exllent amendment that will help retain moisture. Eventually proviidng nourishment as well.

Over Seeding Existing Lawn

Cut the existing lawn as close as possible without scalping it. Rake or scratch the soil and apply the seed over it at the rate of 1 to 2 Pound per 1000 Square feet. If possible aerate the soil and then follow mulching and watering instructions as listed above.

WARNING, Do not use any weed and feed fertilizers or weed preventative applications when seeding a lawn