Grass Seed 101: The Basics
With the Fall season rolling in, it’s the perfect time to re-seed, or even fertilize your lawn! But what kind of seed should you get, and what should you do to prep? With our wide selection and expertise, we’ll help you explore your options on what works best for you and your lawn!
Types of Grass Seed:
Here at O.K. Hatchery, we offer our grass seed in bulk! Meaning you can get any amount you want, from half a pound to 200 pounds! Our four main categories include: Turf-Type Fescues, Cover Crop seeds, Grass Mixes and Rye Grasses. But with so many ways to go, which one works best for you?
Turf-Type Fescues
Our most popular selling grass seed is our Turf-Type Fescues. Known for its overall durability with transitional climates, perfect for Missouri weather! They are tough enough to withstand elements such as: heat, cold, drought, shade and disease. Turf-type fescue offers a medium-blade lawn, with strong root systems that help create its dark green color. Germination time varies from 7-14 days after seeding.
5 Star Fescue & 5 Star Plus:
A blend of five different fescues perfect for the Missouri climate; such as, Crossfire II, Cayenne, and Blade Runner. It can tolerate full sun or 80%-90% shade! They suggest 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 200sq/ft. over-seeding.
Five Star Plus is the same five blends of fescue with an additional bluegrass added. The bluegrass helps spread the seed long-term; so if your yard had spotty areas from damage, the bluegrass will often self-repair those areas.
Champion 3 + 3:
A blend of six different fescues, including Jaguar, especially formulated for the Midwest. Similar to Five Star, Champion is tolerant to both sun and shade as well as drought and disease. Germination is on the later end of the spectrum, at 10-14 days. They suggest that 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 200sq/ft. over-seeding.
Winning Colors:
A blend of 4 tall turf-type fescues that work great for mixed sun and shade areas. Similar to Five Star, a dark green, medium-fine blade is produced. All seed included are A-List approved and vary on season. They suggest 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 200sq/ft. over-seeding.
Jaguar:
A premier turf-type fescue with a medium to dark green blade, finer to that of Kentucky 31. This seed works best in medium shade and/or full sun areas. It is widely adapted to different soil types and is fairly drought tolerant. They suggest 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 200sq/ft. over-seeding.
Cover Crop Seeds
Cover crop seeds provide deep and dense root systems, perfect for combating erosion and stabilizing soils. Typically used in gardens, its requires little mowing and watering! However, some cons include more pests/insects, and it may increase or reduce your soils moisture effect based on weather.
White Dutch Clover:
A perennial strain of clover that provides a nitrogen boost to your lawn! The root of the seed has nodules that fix nitrogen from the air and into your soil. This works perfectly for mixed-seed lawns as it adds vibrancy and health to your established grass. When they produce a flower, it is typically white with green leaves.
White Dutch Clover germinates as quickly as 7-10 days, and tolerates partial shade or full sun. It requires little watering and mowing, as it only reaches around 4-8 inches in height. Since the seed is so tiny, they suggest 1lb covers 8400sq/ft., that is if you’re able to spread it that finely! It’s been said that clover lawns are eco-friendly and provide many benefits to pollinators, such as bees!
Ladino Clover:
A creeping type of clover with long basal runner that typically shoot up the node. Flowers rise on single stalks with colors ranging from white and pink. This type of clover is different to that of White Dutch, as it grows in more acidic soils (produces best in pH levels of 5.5 and higher). Ladino Clover needs adequate phosphorus and potassium for establishment and growth, and is especially responsive to cool, moist conditions. This is due to their more shallow root systems not being easily adaptable to drought soil.
Ladino Clover is perfect for producing forage for wildlife, like deer and other animals! It germinates in around 7-14 days and grows up to 8-10 inches in height. It does require a little more watering and maintenance than that of White Dutch, and produces best in partial shade. They suggest 1lb covers up to 1400sq/ft. when spread finely.
Rye Grain:
Unlike rye grass, rye grain produces more like wheat. Also referred to as Winter Rye or Cereal Rye, it’s known for withstanding cold temperatures and its fast growth rate. With their deep root system, rye grain works great for breaking up, or even preventing, soil compaction. It also helps retain moisture and allows nutrients to work their way into the ground to increase the overall health of your soil, meaning it is drought-tolerant! Rye grain is also great for livestock and other grazing fields.
Rye grain produces best in cool temperatures, like Fall and early Spring, and requires partial shade/sun (at least 6 hours worth of light). Maintenance requires mowing to desired height or possible tilling/harvesting once it’s reached its peak at around 10-14 inches in height. They suggest 1lb covers 400sq/ft.
Grass Mixes
If your lawn is more picky when it comes to sunlight or durability, consider a specific grass mix! These mixes include a variety of seeds and fescues that are especially made for extreme shade or extreme sun. With an appearance similar to turf-type fescues, your lawn will finally be thriving again!
George’s Magic Sun:
A mix of five different types of tall fescue that produce best in full-sun lawns (little to no shade). Similar to that of a turf-type, it produces a medium-fine, dark green blade. More maintenance is required for watering, as you don’t want the seed to burnout. They suggest 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 250sq/ft. over-seeding. This specific brand was formulated right in St. Louis, and grows great in our transitional climate!
George’s Magic Shade:
A mix of three different types of perennial rye, creeping red fescue, and chewings fescue made for extreme shade lawns (little to no sun at all). It requires maintenance similar to a turf-type, with frequent watering and mowing. Unlike Ryegrasses, it will produce evenly (not in clumps), with medium-fine, dark green blades. They suggest 1lb covers 100sq/ft. bare or 175sq/ft. over-seeding. This specific brand was formulated right in St. Louis, and grows great in our transitional climate!
Elite Sun:
An alternative to George’s Magic Sun, with a similar blend of tall fescues that produce best in full sun. It requires maintenance such as watering and mowing, and produces a medium-fine, dark green blade. They suggest 1lb covers 250sq/ft. bare or 500sq/ft. over-seeding.
Elite Shade:
An alternative to George’s Magic Shade, with a similar blend of perennial rye, creeping red and chewings fescue. This seed produces best in extreme shade, little to no sunlight, with a medium-fine, dark green blade. They suggest 1lb covers 200sq/ft. bare or 400sq/ft. over-seeding.
True Blue Blend (Bluegrass)
A blend of three top-ranking bluegrass varieties known for their vibrant colors, tolerance against diseases, and self-repairing qualities. If your lawn has some bald spots from winter damage, bluegrass will often spread itself to repair/fill in those areas. It produces a fine, dark green blade that performs best in sun or shade! Maintenance required is similar to that of a turf-type, with frequent mowing and watering. They suggest 1lb covers 300sq/ft. bare or 600sq/ft. over-seeding.
Rye Grasses
Unlike rye grain, Rye Grasses, are more commonly seen in everyday lawns. As it produces a shorter looking stalk that is less coarse than that of rye grain. Unlike turf-types, rye grass grows in clumps rather than spreading throughout the lawn. They can be either annual or perennial and create deep extensive root system that help control erosion. They are more prone to disease in comparison to turf-type fescues, but are still relatively easy to maintain!
Annual Rye:
Annual rye grass is typically used to over-seed as a short-term solution, as it lasts for only one season. Whether it’s to add a quick boost during the warmer Winter months, combat weed suppression, or even erosion control. This type of rye performs best in cool weather and produces a more coarse textured, light green stalk. Germination is quick, between 5-7 days, and performs best in partial shade and sun areas. They suggest 1lb covers 150sq/ft. bare or 300sq/ft. over-seeding.
Perennial Rye:
Unlike annual rye, perennial rye has a long-term duration and is less prone to disease. This type of seed is also great for over-seeding into an established lawn to help combat erosion control and weed suppression. Germination is betwen 5-7 days and produces a more fine, light green stalk is produced.. Perennial rye may be more tolerant to heat, but it also is less tolerant to cold. They suggest 1lb covers 150sq/ft. bare or 300sq/ft. over-seeding.
To Fertilize or Not To Fertilize?
After a long hot Summer, your lawn is in need of nutrients to recover from damage and to prepare for the grueling cold Winter. Thankfully, Fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn, and the best part is that you can do it as you seed! By fertilizing now, you’ll strengthen the root system in place, and increase the nitrogen storage for a healthier, greener lawn in the Spring!
If you’re looking to fertilize and apply a pre-emergent, note that you should NOT re-seed your lawn at the same time. Pre-emergent will burn-off all new seed, and you should wait until the Spring when you lawn comes out of dormancy.
Should I Aerate?
Depending on you and your lawn, the question to aerate is up to you! It’s suggested that lawns grown on heavy soils, have thick thatch, or experience high foot traffic, would benefit from yearly aeration. Aerating relieves soil compaction and enhance grass growth as it allows nutrients, water, and air to directly penetrate the soil. You’re able to fertilize and seed your lawn afterwards, with no wait time in between!
What Fertilizer Should I Get?
We recommend using a New Lawn Starter Fertilizer, which is specifically designed to be used with seeding. Our most popular brands include: Scotts Pro and Fertilome. These types of fertilizers are able to be used anytime you are planting new grass, whether it is starting a new lawn, reseeding an existing one, or installing sod, sprigs, or grass plugs. Application is best with a spreader and should be watered in immediately to penetrate the soil fast.
If you are NOT re-seeding your lawn, an alternative route would be using a Winterizer. Winterizer is a type of lawn fertilizer that helps store the nutrients and nitrogen in your lawn to overcome the cold months. Unlike your standard lawn fertilizer, winterizer is much more potent and can kill off new seed. You want to apply right before dormancy, after your grass has stopped growing but is still green and active.
