“How-To” apply and buy Grass Seed
Family Owned & Operated
16140 OLD DENVER RD. Monument, CO
OFFICE: (719) 488-0928
FAX (719) 488-0635
When purchasing seed, we recommend buying seed that is 90-100% pure live seed. If you purchase from a box
store, chances are the seed has a bunch of filler or inert materials such as dust, chaff and empty seeds in the bag.
So always check the contents of the seed before purchasing. We only purchase from Arkansas Valley Seed to
insure a higher quantity (90-100%) of pure viable seed and seed that is meant for our environment.
Seeding Recommendations: Broadcast or drill to incorporate the seed into the soil. Soil to seed contact is
essential to enhance germination and establishment rates and also makes for healthy seedlings. Ideally,
seed depth should be one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch below the soil surface. Frequent and light waterings
are required until the seed has germinated. The soil surface should remain moist, but not saturated, for
proper germination and establishment to occur. You should never allow the ¼ inch of seedbed to become
dry during the establishment period. The use of hydro-mulch, certified weed-free straw or erosion control
blankets can assist in the establishment of grass, prevent moisture evaporation and inhibit soil erosion. Once
the grass has established, normally after the first couple of mowings, watering can be reduced.
Overseeding: When overseeding into existing grass, use a broadcast method to distribute the seed evenly.
Topdress with a mixture of compost/organic material to ensure good soil to seed contact. This will increase
germination and establishment rates and also makes for healthy seedlings. Again, seed depth should be oneeighth to one-quarter of an inch below the soil surface.
Cool vs. Warm Season Grasses: Grasses are classified into two groups, cool season and warm season. These
groups are determined by when the grasses grow best. Cool season grasses have a longer growing season
compared to warm season grasses. Warm season grasses green-up later in the spring and go dormant earlier in
the fall – usually after the first frost. Cool season grasses are much easier to establish than warm seasons.
Maintenance for cool season grasses normally begins in early spring (April 1st) whereas warm season grasses
are normally in mid spring (May 15th). Consistent soil temperatures dictate when new seedlings begin to wakeup from dormancy and germinate. The threshold for plant growth is a minimum soil temperature to 55 – 60
degrees F for cool season and 65 – 70 degrees F for warm season grasses. When seeding prior to these
conditions, the seed will lay dormant and remain viable until they are met. During the growing season, optimal
plant growth for established grasses occurs between 60-80 degrees F for cool season and 80-95 degrees F for
warm season grasses. ** FYI…We only carry cool season grasses**
Germination Threshold
55-60 degrees F in soil
Elevation
< 6,000 ft = approx. April 20th
6-8,000 ft = approx. April 30th
8,000+ ft = after May 10th
Examples of warm season species:
Buffalograss, Blue Gramma, Little Bluestem, Big
Bluestem
Tall Fescue Seed: used for golf courses, sports athletic fields, pastures, and home lawns. Tall fescue is a coolseason turfgrass known for its adaptability to a wide variety of growing conditions. It grows quickly and is one
of the most common species for lawn grass.
Kentucky Bluegrass Seed: used for golf courses, athletic fields, and residential lawns, pastures, and quality
turfgrass. Kentucky bluegrass is a common cool-season turfgrass that is able to handle wide range of
tolerances.
Fine Fescue Seed: used for residential and commercial lawns, sod farms, golf courses, and parks. Known for
surviving under extreme conditions.
Difference between KBG and Fescues: KBG (Kentucky Blue Grass) has really good color and will fill in
bare spots through specialized roots called rhizomes (the Triple Threat mix should also do this even though it’s
a tall fescue although it will probably spread slower than KBG). The disadvantage to KBG is that it needs more
water than fescue does. Fescue can develop deeper roots than KBG and can stay green with less water (or stay
green longer without water) than KBG. Fescues may need to be overseeded periodically to keep it dense but
stands up to prolonged heat and drought better. You can mix KBG and fescues (fine fescue for same type of
blade) if you want.
**We have a lot of turf maintenance blog post at www.rrockyard.net
www.rrockyard.com
Grass info: a rhizome (from Ancient Greek: rhízōma "mass of roots",[1] from rhizóō
"cause to strike root")[2] is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and
shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes may also be referred to as creeping rootstalks or rootstocks.