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www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2016 19 LANDSCAPE AND TURF MAINTENANCE Once you've prepared the foundation, you're ready to apply soil amendments to get on the fast track to healthy turf. Soil amendments such as AquaSmart PRO and Holganix help the soil improve physical characteristics, including its ability to hold water or retain nutrients. Selecting the right seed Once you've completed your preparation work, you're ready to start overseeding. Select the right seed for your regional climate. You'll need a variety and species that will be compatible with the existing grass but will work with your new goals, whether that is improving the color, improving playability or just filling in thin spots. Reading the seed analysis label will help you make the right choice in knowing what to expect as seed germinates. Every bag of seed is legally required to feature a seed tag that must contain the following: ■ Varieties and kinds of seed in the bag ■ Pure seed: the percentage by weight of each variety ■ Germination rate: germination percentage by seed variety for the different seed varieties contained in the bag ■ Other crop seed: other seeds that comprise 5 percent or less of the bag ■ Inert matter: non-seed materials, including mulch or fertilizer ■ Weed seed: percentage of weed seed contained in the product ■ Noxious weed: number of noxious weed seeds contained per pound (regulated and may be restricted by state) ■ Lot number: production lot identification number ■ Test date: germination test date ■ Sell by date: sell by date, varies by state The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) evaluates all the new and premiere cultivars for three to five years across several different U.S. geographies. Selecting a seed variety that is NTEP certified ensures it contains the newest and genetically premiere varieties, which have been proven to grow in the toughest conditions. Steps for successful overseeding/renovation You've prepped the turf area and selected the seed, so now it's time to spread the seed. Apply seed at the recommended rates. Use a drop spreader or a broadcast/rotary spreader; if you're seeding a smaller area, use a handheld spreader or simply use your hand if needed. Recommended Renovation Seeding Rates for Tall Fescue Commercial Sites/Lawns: 5-8 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Recommended Overseeding Rates for Perennial Ryegrass Commercial Sites/Lawns: 8-15 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Golf Course: ■ Fairways: 10-20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. ■ Tees: 15-25 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Athletic Fields: 10-20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Next, apply a starter fertilizer. This will bring nutrients essential to healthy growth to your seedlings. The three primary nutrients in the fertilizer — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — will help your grass get off to a great start with top growth, root growth and all-around color and health. When it comes time to plant, select a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer to apply. Phosphorus is a vital component in seed germination, and having ample amounts during germination is crucial. Be sure to check with your local extension office to learn about any application requirements if you're unsure of phosphorus fertilizer restrictions in your area. Hold on! You're not quite done yet. When you topdress the lawn, you can add organic matter to the soil to provide protection and additional moisture support to new seed establishment. You don't need much topdressing to accomplish this — just 1/8-inch can provide the coverage you need. Application of a product like Profile's Covergrow mulch pellet provides just the protection and moisture management needed during establishment. Keep a consistent moisture level for seven to 10 days after seeding. This will involve many light waterings several times a day — for example, water three times a day for 10 minutes each time. If the soil dries out too much, the seeds could germinate and die immediately. After a few weeks, you can increase the lengths of waterings to encourage deeper root growth. (Just like regular turf maintenance, sunny, dry areas will need more water during seeding.) Once you see adequate coverage and growth in the area, return to a regular watering schedule. Return to your regular mowing and maintenance schedule once your new grass has grown to a height of 1-½ inches. Congratulations! You now have a newly renovated/ overseeded lawn ready for the upcoming season. Jennifer Klemmetson is public relations specialist at Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply, Phoenix, Ariz. For more information, visit ewingirrigation.com