How do I seed a lawn in the spring?

Spring seeding is not something we normally do. It is a common request, homeowners love to seed in the spring and professionals want to seed in August. The reason is in our area summer annual weeds like crabgrass will outcompete the cool season grasses we have in our area. To reduce crabgrass we apply a preemergent for summer annual weeds now that will last until the mid summer. If we seed bare dirt, those areas cannot have traditional preemergent.

Now, mid May is the time to apply a seed and soil mix over any bare spots. First, use a wheelbarrow to mix your seed soil mix. Select untreated topsoil or buy top soil. Use perennial ryegrass species of grass here in metro Boston for quick germination. Perennial ryegrass should germinate within 7 days. Mix starter fertilizer right into your seed soil mix. A ratio we use is one 40 lb of soil, then 16 lbs of seed and 1/2 pound of starter fertilizer. Then lay a thin 1/2 to 1 inch layer of the seed soil mix over the damaged areas you want to repair before summer. Keep the seed wet for the next month and monitor on hot days.