What Would Be The Best Lawn Grass To Plant For…
Le Roy Asked
What would be the best lawn grass to plant for my area? I intend to kill off the current lawn and the weeds using Roundup.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Le Roy in Kentucky: Here in Kentucky we have two different time frames to take advantage of the cooler temperatures as well as moisture levels for seeding our lawns. The first time frame is early spring when the daytime temperatures are warm but the nights are still cool, and the next opportunity is during the fall before the nighttime temperatures get too cold. Mother Nature usually provides us with more moisture during the spring so this would be less maintenance on your part, but if you do not want to wait this long, later in the fall will be your next opportunity. This will also give you time to do a total kill on your existing grass and have time to prep the soil before seeding. It is important to choose a grass that will do well in your area. Tall fescue is one that will do well throughout our state, but Kentucky Bluegrass does well in eastern and central Kentucky, and Bermuda or zoysiagrass does well in western Kentucky. Hart County is just on the central/western line so you might want to check with your county Extension office for specifics. You can visit the Hart County Web site at http://ces.ca.uky.edu/Hart. Different grass seed requires different rates of application, so keep this in mind when purchasing the seed. We also have to take the light conditions into consideration when choosing the best seed. You might also ask your agent about having your soil tested to determine lime and fertilizer levels before you seed. Preparing the soil is important in terms of removing rocks and other debris that may be in the way. It is necessary to loosen the soil before seeding. Unfortunately, we cannot just throw seed on the surface and expect it to germinate, so there is some preparation involved. After you have seeded, remember to water and you might also want to mulch to help retain the moisture.
