Date of Seeding Affects Establishment of Cool-season Turfgrasses

Abstract

<jats:p>Little documentation exists on the success of seeding cool-season turfgrasses in the late fall, winter and spring. The objectives of these two studies were to document the success of seeding Kentucky bluegrass (<jats:italic>Poa pratensis</jats:italic> L.), perennial ryegrass (<jats:italic>Lolium perenne</jats:italic> L.), and tall fescue (<jats:italic>Festuca arundinacea</jats:italic> Schreb.) at less-than-optimum times of the year, and to determine if N and P fertilizer requirements vary with seeding date of Kentucky bluegrass. `Ram I' Kentucky bluegrass, `Fiesta' perennial ryegrass, and `Mustang' tall fescue were seeded on 1 Sept., 1 Oct., 1 Nov., 1 Dec., 1 Mar., 1 Apr., and 1 May ± 2 days beginning in 1989 and 1990. As expected, the September seeding date produced the best establishment, regardless of species. Dormant-seeding Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue in November, December, or March reduced the establishment time compared with seeding in April or May. Seeding perennial ryegrass in November, December, or March may not be justified because of winterkill potential. To determine the effect of starter fertilizer on seedings made at different times of the year, `Ram 1' Kentucky bluegrass was seeded 1 Sept., 1 Nov., 1 Mar., and 1 May ± 2 days in 1989 and 1990, and the seedbed was fertilized with all combinations of rates of N (0, 24, and 48 kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>) and P (0, 21, and 42 kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>). Fertilizer rate had no effect on establishment regardless of seeding date, possibly because of the fertile soil on the experimental site.</jats:p>

Cultivar, Seeding Rate, or Date Has Little Effect on Establishment of Dormant Seeded Buffalograss

“…Dormant seeding can allow for establishment sooner in the summer than traditional spring seeding, which can be critical with high weed pressure typical of spring seedings. However, a primary risk with dormant seeding of buffalograss is a period of warm spring weather that stimulates germination, only to be followed by cold temperatures that could kill seedlings, which is similar to risks of dormant seeding cool-season grasses (Green et al, 1974;Reicher et al, 2000). Though cold-temperature damage could slow establishment like in our study, our data suggest that buffalograss can still produce >80% cover by the end of the first growing season when maintained with sufficient inputs during establishment.…”

Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management

“…Optimal seeding date and effects of N and P fertilization rates at seeding is well‐known for Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue, but not fine fescues (Reicher, Throssell, & Weisenberger, 2000). Watkins and Trappe (2017) reported later fall seedings (1 October and later) in Minnesota did not establish well enough before winter, therefore, seeding of fine fescues should be conducted between 15 August and 15 September.…”

A Guide to Establishing Seeded Bermudagrass in the Transition Zone

“…Recently, Shaver et al (41) examined differences in establishment of various dormant seeding dates. Dormant seeding refers to any seeding when soil temperatures are below the normal range required for germination and this practice is common with cool‐season turf (35). Bermudagrass germination is reported to occur when temperatures reach 68°F, with optimum germination occurring between 77 and 104°F (40).…”