Question
Hello Long Island Gardener
I live in Southern Ontario but I'm hoping you can answer a question for me.
Just got my lawns raked (yep the snows gone here)
I want to seed a bit and fertilise.
I have never done this to this lawn before (we have lived here 40+ years).
My question is this..Which do I do first, what would be the timing between each process, and is it too early yet?
Many thanks for taking your time to help others in this way.
Kind Regards
Ellen


Answer
Do I understand correctly that you are basically happy with your Lawn, but you would like to overseed and feed the Grass that's there already?

You are satisfied with the look of your Lawn -- basically?  You just would like a lusher Lawn?

One little secret to a TERRIFIC Lawn - ANY terrific Lawn, in full Sun, with perfect Soil, perfect mowing, etc - is overseeding EVERY FEW YEARS.  You don't have to wait 40 years for this.  Even the best Grass grows past its prime, gets thin, runs out of steam.  Even under the best of circumstances, even if your Lawn looks like something out of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Seeding is a great idea.  That will get your Lawn ready for its close-up.

The Seeding needs to be taken care of first.  Spring has sprung, and you want your Seed to sprout asap, before it gets hot and horrible for the Seed.  Most regions see a lot of rain in April and May, so new Seed has plenty of moisture to boost growth.  It needs the cool temps, too -- this is COOL Season Grass, happiest in the COOL air of the Spring and Fall.  So although Autumn is the IDEAL sowing season for Cool Season Grass, Spring is a close second place.  Life is too short to wait another 6 months for your Lawn.  Overseeding is near-ideal to do in the Spring.

Top dress -- fertililizing is SO 20th century -- with aged Compost or Manure.  Or you can spritz with a diluted liquid Fish Emulsion treatment.  Don't damage your Soil with Salt-based Chemical Fertilizer.  Long term, your Grass will be healthiest and disease free with non-Chemical treatments.  And this is cutting edge.

If you know what kind of Grass you are growing (Rye, Fescue, etc), I'll be able to give you more details about care and feeding.  Thanks for your question -- and I would very much appreciate your rating me so that I make next year's list of All Experts of the Year.  Your followup(s) welcome,

L.I.G.