Establishing a New Lawn: Traditional Seeding

When establishing a new lawn you have multiple choices for seeding, sodding, hydroseeding and traditional seeding. Traditional seeding requires much more work than the other two methods, but is cost effective, and, if done properly can give similar results. In this article, we will focus on the benefits and disadvantages of using traditional seed to establish a new lawn.

Benefits of Traditional Seeding

Cost Effective

Traditional seed is available at any major hardware store, home improvement store and gardening store. Most grass seeds are available at a cost of hundreds of dollars less than other seeding methods.

Patchy Areas

Applying your own seed to fix patches in the lawn is a cost effective and easy method. With proper irrigation, fertilizer and weed prevention, lawn seed is an effective method for patching up areas and for establishing a new lawn.

Variety

Depending on your location and soil type, you may opt for warm season grasses, or cool season grasses. Warm season grasses grow best during the late spring and early summer months; whereas cool season grasses grow best during the late, summer and early fall months. Grass varieties are limited when choosing hydroseeding or sodding, but many seed varieties are available for do-it yourself seeders.

Disadvantages of Traditional Seeding

Weeds

Unlike sod, most traditional grass seeds compete for turf growth with other weed grass varieties. The problem with this is that weeds are hard to control with broad base and selective herbicides because they often share similar traits with the new grass seed. Apply non-selective herbicides systemically before applying new grass seed. This stops the new grass seed from competing with established weeds.

Establishment

Establishing traditional grass seed is harder than sod or hydroseeding because it requires weed control, regular irrigation and a lot of work. Often time's patches of grass seed would be washed out, or removed for the growing area, which would great lawn patches when the seed established itself.

Maintenance

For grass seed to establish itself, it requires routine fertilization, pH balancing (if necessary) and regular irrigation. Failure to consider all the variables can lead to diminished growth and vitality. Of course, the nutrient levels in the fertilizer, pH preference and irrigation needs depend widely on the grass seed chosen and soil conditions. Warm season grasses require a lot of maintenance because they establish themselves during the same time competing weeds establish themselves. If possible, determine what weeds grow in your area and their optimal growing conditions to avoid establishing a lawn during the same time.