11/21/2024. Seeding Day.

I put down 50# (10# seed per 1K square feet). Seed was broadcast using a broadcast spreader.
Seed used was a Turf Type Tall Fescue blend:

• 25% DAYBREAK TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE
• 25% 4TH MILLENNIUM SRP TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE
• 25% VALSETZ TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE
• 25% XANADU TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE

Below are photos of seed dispersal in bare dirt.

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

11/21/2024. Seeding Day.

After broadcasting seed, it was sliced into ground in two directions.

Photos show area after working the seed in with the slice seeder.

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

Now we hope for a snowy winter followed by annual spring thaw which hopefully brings the seed to life. I will probably take a few photos in Jan/Feb to show snow coverage. I will certainly document this with commentary / photos next April & May. 🤞

 

I’m not a fan of doing them this early into winter but I have seen them work. More of a once the snow melts/ mid March seeding guy. Id say with tttf your looking at late April/ early May for germination. I’d hit it with a starter once it cracks to really get it going before summer. But curious to see how it turns out.

I did a bunch of seedings late sept/ early oct this year and it never rained. Hoping to see some growth in spring to but I’m sure I’ll have to reseed some areas.

 

I’m not a fan of doing them this early into winter but I have seen them work. More of a once the snow melts/ mid March seeding guy. Id say with tttf your looking at late April/ early May for germination. I’d hit it with a starter once it cracks to really get it going before summer. But curious to see how it turns out.

I did a bunch of seedings late sept/ early oct this year and it never rained. Hoping to see some growth in spring to but I’m sure I’ll have to reseed some areas.

The seed supplier said right now is the 'sweet spot' for dormant seeding in my area. I instructed customer to apply a 10-10-10 in spring once germination starts and do NOT put down a crabgrass preventer in that area. I know this customer well and I'll be watching & in touch with him as we get closer to spring.

I did one customer on Oct 4 against my & seed supplier recommendations. He watered consistently and his new seed came up. It's been mowed several times and I think the new blades made it and will not die off.

 

post some pictures in about three weeks. I can almost guarantee you’ll have some germination by then if you get enough moisture

 

I will do so (I put a reminder on my calendar). I don't think I'll see any germination. Starting next Monday, 33 degrees is the warmest HIGH temp in the 10 day forecast. Our lows are mainly forecast to be teens and 20s.

I did mow one guy's newly sodded area for its 1st time last Saturday (he's got a few acres on a new build). Outside his sodded area, the builder seeded (looks like hydro seeded) and there was some germination coming up. I told the guy it's unlikely those little blades will survive our cold; it was seeded too late. He agreed, but not worried - will deal with it in spring.

 

Good question--will the seed survive and come up?
Probably in a natural situation the seed falls to the ground from the mother plant in the fall. It lays on the ground until spring and then germinates. (Or germinates in the fall if there is a warm spell.)
However, your photo shows a distinct shade situation.
I would say get rid of a few trees and bushes.
Either that, or include a good percent of creeping red fescue in spring.
Shade tolerance is needed where sunlight is lacking.

 

Good question--will the seed survive and come up?
Probably in a natural situation the seed falls to the ground from the mother plant in the fall. It lays on the ground until spring and then germinates. (Or germinates in the fall if there is a warm spell.)
However, your photo shows a distinct shade situation.
I would say get rid of a few trees and bushes.
Either that, or include a good percent of creeping red fescue in spring.
Shade tolerance is needed where sunlight is lacking.

I thought about some creeping red and/or chewings fescue for one area lined with trees, but decided against it. The creeping red is so thin and tender. This area is not irrigated and I'm thinking over the past several years, it's just had so much die off due to lack of water. The area gets southern sun and the customer keeps his trees trimmed high. I think the area will get enough sun for the 4 TTTF varieties to survive - they are listed as shade tolerant. Time will tell...

 

did you do a soil test at all?

 

No. I have not done a soil test for any of the seedings/overseedings I've done.

 

No. I have not done a soil test for any of the seedings/overseedings I've done.

No. I have not done a soil test for any of the seedings/overseedings I've done.

No. I have not done a soil test for any of the seedings/overseedings I've done.

Of course, the soil cannot be too bad--after all the trees look fine and healthy. and grass grew there last year.
but...

Google Search

 

What is your experience?
Which is better, careful and thorough soil preparation, plus topdressing...OR... apply more seed?
The labor of soil preparation is back-breaking and expensive.
However, seed is also expensive--cost is higher this year.
This landscaper suggests sowing high rates of seed--for example.

Or is it better to apply water three times per day for new seed?
Water is cheaper and easy to apply.

 

What is your experience?
Which is better, careful and thorough soil preparation, plus topdressing...OR... apply more seed?
The labor of soil preparation is back-breaking and expensive.
However, seed is also expensive--cost is higher this year.
This landscaper suggests sowing high rates of seed--for example.

Or is it better to apply water three times per day for new seed?
Water is cheaper and easy to apply.

Soil prep, ample amount of seed, 3X per day light watering (unless dormant seeding) are ALL important BUT without water, seed germination rate will drastically suffer.
I don't overseed unless a lawn needs it and I always throw down seed as if I'm seeding for a 'new lawn'. Slice seeding is highly recommended (great soil prep).

 

04/04/2025. Spring is here.

MN winter was on the warm side with very little snow. We did get a 10"-12" snow early March, followed by nice rain/snow mix late March. 1.5"+ rain & 4" snow over several days. That rain soaked in nicely. On the cold side in early April (highs mainly 40s). We did have high of 75 degrees on March 28 followed by a high of 35 degrees on March 29. Mid 60s forecast end of next week. No germination activity (as expected) as of yet. Very curious to see how this dormant seeding progresses...


Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

Bare spots on the shady side of trees.
Think about hiring a tree company to trim the trees.
My first thought is a top-quality creeping red fescue seed.
Potentially you could do it in two quick steps.
Use a spreader to apply the seed. Then power rake--to mix the seed into the top half-inch of the soil.
Good seed is expensive, but a high rate of seed would help ensure a good germination rate and dense stand. 6 pounds per thousand square feet. Be sure to apply plenty of water--daily irrigation for first three weeks.
Add starter fert after early emergence of new sprouts.
Isn't there a good seed company in the Twincities?

Sun & Shade Lawn Seed Mixture - Twin City Seed Company

SUN & SHADE Lawn Seed Mixture is designed a quality turf stand that requires normal to low maintenance practices. Sun & Shade Lawn Seed Mixture can be used where conditions provide medium (50% to 30%) amounts of sun and shade. This mixture is proudly approved by the Turfgrass Water Conservation...

twincityseed.com

 

Bare spots on the shady side of trees.
Think about hiring a tree company to trim the trees.
My first thought is a top-quality creeping red fescue seed.
Potentially you could do it in two quick steps.
Use a spreader to apply the seed. Then power rake--to mix the seed into the top half-inch of the soil.
Good seed is expensive, but a high rate of seed would help ensure a good germination rate and dense stand. 6 pounds per thousand square feet. Be sure to apply plenty of water--daily irrigation for first three weeks.
Add starter fert after early emergence of new sprouts.
Isn't there a good seed company in the Twincities?

Sun & Shade Lawn Seed Mixture - Twin City Seed Company

SUN & SHADE Lawn Seed Mixture is designed a quality turf stand that requires normal to low maintenance practices. Sun & Shade Lawn Seed Mixture can be used where conditions provide medium (50% to 30%) amounts of sun and shade. This mixture is proudly approved by the Turfgrass Water Conservation...

twincityseed.com

It was dormant seeded last Nov (see 1st post). Now we watch to see if it works. 🤞

 

Chilly day in Michigan, too. But one day last week, was over 65 for a few hours.
I would expect to see some new grass about the week that dandelions appear.
What is the soil temperature?
Fescue, like creeping red, fills in thin spots--reducing bare areas. Rhizomes are important in this situation.
I have heard that grass is not killed by frost--it just grows really slowly at temperatures below 50 F.

 

Chilly day in Michigan, too. But one day last week, was over 65 for a few hours.
I would expect to see some new grass about the week that dandelions appear.
What is the soil temperature?
Fescue, like creeping red, fills in thin spots--reducing bare areas. Rhizomes are important in this situation.
I have heard that grass is not killed by frost--it just grows really slowly at temperatures below 50 F.

Current soil temp is 31 F, five day average soil temp is 43 F, so still on the cold side for germination. Later this week we are supposed to get warmer for 8 day stretch (highs in 60s, lows in 40s).

 

04/25/2025. Lawns are greening up.

Nice rains over last 10 days: .4", 1", .6". A couple days near 70 degrees lately. Maybe see a little germination. Next 10 days should tell us if this works or not - highs in mid 60s. Homeowner has 2 sprinklers out on timers to help keep things moist.

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

Looking good, now would be a good time to put starter on it.

 

We're waiting until positive we see decent germination, then the starter fertilizer will go down.

 

We have soil temp of 48 F degrees. Michigan. The air temp hit 80 yesterday.
Dandelions everywhere, also yellow forsythia in bloom.
I found some tall fescue seeded on top of snow last December 21--sprouted April 22. It was about an inch tall.

 

05/035/2025. Seeing more germination. Highs in 70s, lows in 50s expected next 10 days.

We've still been cloudy & cool for the most part all of April. No rain to speak of over last 7 days. As of 5/4 - 5/17 forecast calls for highs in 70s, lows around 50 which should be ideal for germination. Homeowner has sprinklers out on timers, saw them go as I stopped by and chatted today. Not where I expected it to be at this point (never dormant seeded before), but definitely see LOTs more germination/improvement since 8 days ago. If this were KBG I think it would go ape $hit over the next 3 weeks. Not as familiar with TTTF, '24 was 1st season using it. TTTF established much more rapidly than KBG. I expect much more germination over next 7 days if forecast holds true. 👍

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

our average soil temps just hit the germination temps on Monday, so about a week ago. Unless in full sun, stuff has been slow here, just starting to take off. Lots of first time mowers today in the neighborhood, with shaded stuff still not needing it.

 

05/10/2025. Seeing more germination.

Warm & sunny (60s/70s/80s) but no rain. Definitely see lots more germination, lawn filling in. Very weak next to blacktop walking path. My best guess is homeowner trying to keep water off path so as not to hit walkers/bikers. Looking much better.

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

She’s looking beautiful man. You did a great job. I never trusted true dormant seedings. Maybe I’ll let my shield down. Nows a good time to spray it with roundup to prevent weeds and crabgrass. 😂

 

She’s looking beautiful man. You did a great job. I never trusted true dormant seedings. Maybe I’ll let my shield down. Nows a good time to spray it with roundup to prevent weeds and crabgrass. 😂

I did not trust dormant seeding either & still do not. I was thinking seed would germinate as snow melted off (we had almost no snow this winter) + it's simply too cold for the seed to germinate late March/early April with snow melt. We had some nice early spring rains but still to cold for germination. Homeowner is running irrigation in order to get germination. I'm sticking to late summer seeding.

 

05/16/2025. This thing really took off over the last 6 days.

Warm & sunny (70s/80s) last 6 days, but no rain. Drastic change in weather today, highs in 50s. Super windy. Customer texted me yesterday and said it got really long, he had to mow. This seeding really took off! If we could get a nice steady 1"+ rainfall (we really need it for all), I think this new area would go nuts.

Instructions for customer are to ALWAYs mow this non-irrigated area (it's actually county property several homeowners got the OK to sod about 20 years ago, but none irrigate it) longer (3.5"+). Along the path where sprinklers didn't hit well it's not very good. Two sides with woodsdeep shade are also not as good, but WAY better than before.

Click image to enlarge for better view.

 

Closeup photo away from woods/shade. Nice. Probably my last post on this thread - I think this one is good to go.

Click image to enlarge for better view.