Have you planned to create a fresh lawn or overseed your existing lawn to give it a bold appearance? You might be thinking of using fertilizer as it will ensure proper germination and boost grass growth. Our expert Mr. Kawsar Ahmed [Urban Farming Expert] answered your question.
Can you plant grass seed after fertilizing?
Yes, you can plant grass after using fertilizer. But it is always best to avoid applying preventer with the fertilizer because the germination process of grass seed may be moderately or highly compromised for the inclusion of fertilizer.
Can You Plant Grass Seed After Fertilizing?
When you want to get the best result from your lawn, decent preparation is required for seeding. Only then will it encourage perfect seed germination and growth.
Read More – Why Grass Seed Not Germinating?
Why do we use fertilizer for lawns?
It mainly makes the grass healthier and thicker while giving it a fresh appearance. Also, fertilizers provide essential nutrition to ensure optimal growth.
When To Plant Grass Seeds?
Choosing the best time to sow grass seeds will aid you to get your desired result. According to many garden experts, early fall is the ideal period to sow seeds.
So, When To Plant Grass Seeds?
Generally, the time frame starts in late August and finishes in early October. It is better to plan before the time frame starts so that you can work according to it.
During this time, most of the summer heat has already gone. But the soil has already enough level of warmth to encourage optimal germination.
Check Ph Level of the Garden Soil
Have you tested your garden soil ever? It is a good rule of thumb to test garden soil before planting grass seeds. Do it in two weeks. It allows you to know the current pH level of the soil and whether the soil has any deficiencies.
Many garden shops and superstores sell pH testers. You can buy from them. So what is the ideal pH level for a law garden? According to many garden experts, the pH level should be between 6.2 and 7.0. Only then will it ensure effective growth.
What To Use To Increase/decrease pH Level in the Garden Soil?
Though many commercial products are accessible in the marketplace, not each product is good. You have to be a little bit picky to choose the right option.
Try choosing a reliable product that has a special formula to reduce or raise the pH level of your garden soil.
We recommend using MAG-I-CALPlus® for alkaline soils if your garden soil has more than 7 pH levels. It drastically reduces the pH.
On the other hand, if your garden soil has a lower amount, you can apply MAG-I-CAL® for acidic soils. The product can quickly increase the pH.
The best thing about this product is that you can plant grass seeds the same day you use the plant. You don’t have to wait for anything. Saving time!
Final Preparation of Garden Soil
After balancing the pH level, it is time to loosen the soil to ensure proper aeration for the garden soil.
If your garden soil is pretty hard and compacted, you can use the Love Your Soil. It will ensure optimal root growth, decrease compaction, and provide necessary oxidization. Gardeners can apply it the same day they plant grass seeds.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For New Grass Seed?
Choosing the correct fertilizer is a momentous task when you are growing a lawn for the first time. Ample options are there.
You can purchase the Green-Up Lawn Food for Seeding & Sodding, which has a rich phosphorus formula. This fertilizer can be easily applied at any time before you plant grass seeds.
Phosphorus is important for grass seed growth. This high-quality phosphorus formula will ensure early plant development and growth more efficiently.
It can ensure proper nutrition for the grass growth and make the grass root system stronger. Also, your lawn will become healthier and greener. Their strong roots can absorb more nutrition and water for the soil.
Aside from that, high-quality fertilizers can reduce and discourage weed growth significantly. Attacks of moss and insects will be minimal.
Don’t Forget To Choose The Best Grass Seeds
Not all grass seeds have the same quality. So, it is crucial to remember this point while shopping for grass seeds. Grass seeds are available in various types, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue, etc.
Try choosing grass seeds that can tolerate drought, are resistant to insects, and don’t prone to diseases easily.
A few extra bucks should not discourage you from buying premium grass seeds. Aside from ensuring a green, thick, and healthy lawn, they will keep the lawn free from weeds.
How do you determine good-quality grass seeds? Here are characteristics you will notice in high-quality grass seeds.
- Their roots are pretty deep and can grow up to 4 feet.
- They have a hidden waxy coating, which can collect more moisture and prevent the growth of the disease.
- They are suitable for growing in partial shade and full sun exposure conditions.
- Their grass has a unique texture and dark green appearance.
- They are prone to get attacked by typical insects since they have natural endophytes.
Do You Put Fertilizer Or Grass Seed First?
New gardeners often feel confused about whether they should apply fertilizer first or plant grass seed first. Generally, it depends on several factors.
You have to reply to these queries first:
New Lawn Seeding
According to many garden experts, it is always good to use fertilizer before planting grass seeds when you are growing for the first time.
As we have already mentioned, testing the soil pH level is important to know soil conditions.
You may have to use extra fertilizers if the garden soil has a poor condition. After all, it must have the right amount of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen.
Established, Cool-Season Grasses
When you live in a heavily cold area, you should choose cool-season grasses such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, etc.
These types of grass seeds are good enough to provide good quality food. When re-seeding the existing lawn, make sure to aerate the soil properly.
During the winter, grassroots may become weaker. That’s why you can use a high level of nitrogen fertilizer to strengthen your roots.
Make sure to apply the fertilizer in the early fall so that the grass can develop strong roots before the winter season.
Established, Warm-Season Grasses
If you are living in a high-temperature zone, you should plant Warm-Season grass, such as centipede grass, Bermuda grass, Centipede grass, Bahiagrass, etc. They have higher toleration to heat withstand extensive heat.
For warm-season grasses, you can first apply fertilizer and then plant grass seeds. Do it during the spring season. This ensures optimal growth and will make the grass super greenish.
Grass Seed or Fertilizer First?
It requires a proper plan and preparation before planting grass seeds on a lawn. You can’t just randomly throw seeds on it.
You can use a broadcast fertilizer to spread both grass seeds and fertilizer at a time. However, there may be some situations in which it is not suitable.
And you must be careful while following this approach. Evenly mixing the fertilizer and grass seeds is necessary.
Otherwise, you won’t achieve a perfect result in all areas of the lawn. Consider planting grass seeds during the early fall. Plant accordingly based on it.
Since most grass seeds face a hard time during the winter season, you have to give the new grass enough to develop strong roots. Otherwise, frost may kill weak grasses.
Is It ok To Plant Grass Seed Immediately After Spreading Weed and Feed Fertilizer?
It is a good rule of thumb to avoid planting grass seeds immediately after using fertilizer. Since most weed and feed fertilizers have herbicides, they may stop or slow down the natural germination process of grass seeds.
You should only apply this type of fertilizer after the grass has become properly grown up. Generally, you may have to wait until you mow the grass 3-to 4 times. It may take around 6-8 weeks before applying this type of fertilizer on your established lawn.
Can I Overseed After Fertilizing?
No, you can not be overseeded after fertilizing. You should need to wait a minimum of one month before overseeding the new lawn. It is necessary to give the newly developed grass enough scope to collect water and nutrition from the soil.
If you are overseeding for one month, the new seed will struggle to grow as the tiny grasses are collecting all the nutrition from the soil.
Wrapping Up
Every gardener has a dream to create an alluring green lawn that will make it stand out from neighbor gardens. Your neighbor will appreciate your efforts for how decently you take care of your lawn.
But that can be only achieved when you plant grass seeds at the right time and fertilize the garden soil perfectly. Hopefully, you got a clear overview of “Can you plant grass seed after fertilizing?” Happy Gardening!