Tall Fescue sowing time and method

Tall fescue has extraordinary trampling resistance and strong adaptability. It can survive in various harsh environments. It is extremely cold-resistant and does not require too much detailed field care in the later stage. Let’s talk about the sowing time and method of tall fescue.

1. Sowing time

The best time to sow tall fescue is in mid-March or mid-to-late September. In order to avoid weed invasion, sowing in autumn is the best. However, the planting time of tall fescue varies from region to region. In some areas, it can be sown all year round, while in other areas it can only be planted in winter and early spring.

2. Sowing method

Before sowing tall fescue, we need to do a series of preparations. First of all, we need to deep plow and level the planting land to provide a comfortable environment for the growth of lawn. In order to ensure the healthy growth of the lawn, we also need to apply some fertilizer . Apply 1,000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 200 kg of wood ash and 500 kg of river sand per mu. The addition of these substances can effectively improve soil fertility and provide sufficient nutrients for lawn growth.

20 days before sowing, we need to take an important step, which is spraying herbicides . This can effectively prevent the growth of weeds and ensure the healthy growth of the lawn.

Through these steps, we can provide a good environment for the growth of tall fescue. Before sowing, the land needs to be leveled, sufficient base fertilizer needs to be applied, and weeds need to be removed. It is suitable for planting in neutral to acidic soil with a suitable pH value of 5.5-6.5. Before sowing, you can use a rake or a rake to dig shallow trenches and cross-sow in vertical and parallel directions.

When sowing, choose a windless environment. Mix the seeds and fine sand in a ratio of 1:5 after sowing, cover with 0.5-1.5 cm of soil, and the sowing amount is 40-60g/㎡.

After sowing, the seeds need to be suppressed. For large areas, a lawn roller can be used to suppress the seeds so that they can fully combine with the soil, which is conducive to the seeds absorbing water, swelling and germination. Cover with non-woven fabric and spray water once in the morning and evening. Generally, they will germinate 10-25 days after sowing. It takes 35-50 days to form a lawn.

3. Watering

Maintaining sufficient moisture is a necessary condition for the survival of the lawn. When watering tall fescue, the principle of "watering when dry and watering when wet" should be followed. Watering should be done at 10 am in spring and autumn. Spring is dry and windy, with high evaporation, serious soil moisture deficit and severe salinization, so more watering is needed to maintain moisture. In summer, watering should be done in the evening or morning, which helps the lawn absorb water and is not easily burned by high temperatures. When the soil surface melts during the day and freezes at night and the average daily temperature is above 0℃, enough water should be applied to keep the soil 15 to 20 cm deep moist.

4. Fertilization

Tall fescue is tolerant to poor soil quality, so avoid applying too much fertilizer during maintenance. Apply different amounts of fertilizers according to the season. Tall fescue requires less nitrogen fertilizer during the growth period. Generally, ammonium bicarbonate is added at about 10-15 kg per mu. Pay attention to watering. In cities with lower winter temperatures, it is necessary to water well in winter and wait until the second year to water the plants for them to turn green.

5. Pruning

Tall fescue has different pruning requirements in different seasons. Tall fescue grass grows faster in spring and needs to be mowed frequently, following the 1/3 principle. In summer, there is no need to mow too frequently. Reduce the frequency of mowing and increase the stubble height of the lawn. Keep the number of mowing times at 8-10 times a year and the mowing height at 3-7cm.

6. Punching

Fall is the best time of year to aerate your lawn. When you see signs of water accumulation on the turf, that's where you need to drill holes. At this point, you can either drive a solid cone into the turf, or choose to use a specialized aerator for the job. After drilling, the lawn is lightly compacted, which not only helps drainage, but also makes the new root system more drought-resistant during the dry season next year.

7. Covering with soil

During the lawn growth period, in order to level the surface, promote the formation of turf blocks and facilitate mowing, sand, soil and organic matter are mixed according to the original soil texture and applied evenly to the lawn.

The above planting methods are for reference only. The conditions in different regions should be adjusted accordingly according to local soil conditions and environmental conditions. Only by adapting to local conditions can the best lawn be grown.