O out in the spring or autumn when weather conditions
LATEST NEWS
Overseeding
verseeding is best carried
O out in the spring or autumn when weather conditions
are conducive . Each grass has its own optimum temperature for germination so getting this right is essential .
Before starting , ensure that everything is in place for a successful overseeding .
Consider which seed is most suitable for your surface and what it ’ s being used for . Grass breeders have developed some fantastic grass mixes as well as dwarf ryegrasses ; some having leaves as fine as fescue , which is more disease resistant and can be happily mown down to 4mm .
The quality of your turf starts with choosing the right seed in the first place . As well as looking at cultivars it is important to pick a seed that has the highest purity so that you are not planting weed seeds , chaff or annual meadow grass .
Seed contains its own bank of nutrients and all it needs to germinate . Seeds do not need to be coated in fertiliser ; this just means that you get less seed for your money . A pre-seed fertiliser can be used just before seeding to encourage strong growth once seed has germinated . Seedlings need a balanced NPK fertiliser to allow root and shoot growth . Avoid any applications of Sulphate of Iron as
The quality of your turf starts with choosing the right seed in the first place . As well as looking at cultivars it is important to pick a seed that has the highest purity so that you are not planting weed seeds , chaff or annual meadow grass
Guidance on germination temperature
Grass Minimum Optimal
Perennial Rye
Fine Fescue
this can dry out and desiccate the leaf .
For a seed to germinate and establish it needs to be planted in a rootzone , kept moist and have sufficiently warm temperatures . A new seed needs to grow in soil and is unlikely to germinate successfully in a compacted thatch layer . Before overseeding , prepare the ground by scarifying to remove as much thatch as you can . Ensure that the moisture levels are adequate and are maintained from sowing right through to full establishment .
Seed needs to be planted at the correct depth into the rootzone , if there is some thatch present then plant into the soil below the thatch layer . There is a variety of great seeders on the market , including disc , dimple or slot to suit every situation .
Recommended planting depths : Bent – Soil contact Fescue – 8mm to 12mm Rye – 10mm to 15mm
5 º C 10-20 º C
10 º C 14-18 º C
Bent 12 º C 16-22 º C
Professional soil moisture meters are a great tool to check soil moisture levels before , during and after germination . An important thing to check is that soil isn ’ t hydrophobic , if this is the case it will need a curative wetting agent such as Aquatrols Aqueduct liquid or Aqueduct Flex granules . Once the soil is moist it is good practice to maintain moisture levels with a quality wetting agent such as Prestige Super Replenish Plus , Aquatrols Zipline or ICL H2Pro TriSmart .
To further aid establishment , apply Primo Maxx II at half standard recommended rate five days before overseeding and again two weeks later . Primo Maxx II holds back the top growth and allows new seedlings more room to establish without competition for light and with no detrimental effects on seed germination .
For more information on overseeding or wetting agent options , contact a Collier Turf Care Area Sales representative or our office on 01328 700600 sales @ collier-turf-care . co . uk
6 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | September / October 2024