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Okay to fall fertilize new TTTF?

16 years ago

I've had to reseed about 20% of my lawn that succumbed to disease and germination just started a few days ago. I want to do a late fall feeding, perhaps in 2-3 weeks. Do I risk 'burning' the seedlings? Recommendations for 'food'? I guess Winterizer is popular but I've been unimpressed with many Scotts products.

Thanks!!

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Comments (3)

dchall_san_antonio
16 years ago
You should be safe to fertilize with synthetic fertilizer after the second tall mowing of the new grass. That gives the roots a chance to develop.
theyardbird
16 years ago
I've always fertilized with a starter fertilizer (Lesco) when I reseed in the fall. I'm going to rethink that next year. As some people have pointed out, when you fertilize and seed at the same time, the current lawn will take off before the seedlings are established. I seeded three weeks ago (Friday) and have gotten a very good germination rate, but the existing grass was pretty tall before I mowed a couple days ago.
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Unfortunately, if your neighbors have a good stand of bermuda, it will be a constant battle because bermuda spreads by stolons, I believe (roots along the ground). Overall, yes, a good stand of fescue will help against the bermuda, and with selective bermuda herbicides in possibly the spring and fall, you should be able to get it under control. I plan to try Ornamec Over the Top soon. If you do Ornamec, I recommend having a pro apply - mis-application can mean dead fescue in addition to dead bermuda.
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Your best time to overseed is the next 3 weeks. I wouldn't put out any lime now. Best bet is to have a soil test done to determine if you need it and if so, how much and which kind. Personally, I wouldn't drop any fertilizer now either. Wait until the new grass is up and it's been mowed a few times, probably late September. Otherwise, you're just going to be feeding any weeds that are already there helping them to compete with the new seedlings. Then towards the middle of November put out a dose of fast release nitrogen to help it get through the winter and green up sooner in the spring. When you do overseed, water the new seed 3 times per day very lightly. This means about 5 to 10 minutes depending on your sprinklers. If you do this you should start seeing germination in about a week. Continue this watering schedule for 2 to 3 weeks and gradually back off of the frequency and increase the amount of water each time.
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NO IT IS NOT OKAY TO FERTILIZE ON WET GRASS! I'm sorry. Was I shouting? Why is it not okay? Because the fertilizer will dissolve right on the grass blades to create a highly salty solution which osmotically sucks all the moisture right out of the blades and kills them. Always water chemical fertilizers immediately after you apply to dilute that salty solution.
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Yeah, I was just reading online how to fill in all the holes that were inbetween fescue (since I couldn't seed more fescue in hot weather). I probably won't be adding anymore bermuda, just stick with the tall fescue. Which is wierd, if it's a cold season grass, then how does it grow so good in this zone 9 110 heat? Shouldn't it be the opposite? I noticed it goes somewhat dormant, and doesn't grow hardly at all for about a month when it's over 100...but it stays nice and green! I mow at about 2.5" and the bermuda doesn't seem to mind. The bermuda grows good too, but I like the way fescue looks better...and it's about half the price. I'll probably stick with fescue since it'll be green in winter too. So what schedule should I use if I'm going to stick with my fescue mix? Should I aerate, seed, or fertilize first?
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jimtnc
16 years ago
Hopefully your water situation is better than mine, and you can water in the fert good as soon as you apply it. If you haven't put any fert out yet, you need a complete fertilizer in Sep/Oct and another in late Nov. The link below might help, but that's with plenty of watering capabilities.

I'm under water restrictions and about to go to no watering at all, so I'm not sure what I can do at this time without rain...it's a wait and see situation now.

Here is a link that might be useful: NCSU link

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