Grass Seed

By Chuck Martin, Dow Gardens Horticulturist

As many of you know, we at the Martin household have not yet reached the 21st century.  My kids truly believe that we live like cavemen by denying them the latest technology.  They believe we abuse them not with cavemen clubs, but by denying them cable TV.  Yes we still have and use that almost extinct technology on our roof called a TV antenna. 

Now many of you readers are almost certainly thinking that I am cheap and don’t want to pay for watching TV.  That might be part of the reason but the biggest reason is I don’t like to make a decision.  Giving me all those channels choices would drive my family nuts because I constantly flip through the channels trying to decide which program would be the least waste of time.  By having only three and a half channels (one channel only comes in when the weather is right), I have reduced conflict and frustration in our household considerably.

If you are like me where having the least number of options is the best, maybe you should not read this article.  Many people think all grass seed is alike and all you have to do is find the cheapest one.  Cost is the only factor that is considered by many homeowners.  I hope that after reading this article you will discover that you need to consider more than just cost in selecting your grass seed.  If you are happy with only considering cost, I would not read this article.  If making decisions frustrates you, use this article to start your next campfire.

One of most important steps in impressing the neighborhood with your high quality turf is quality seed selection.  You will want a mixture that is adapted to the site conditions and intended for the use of the turf.  The use of poor quality seed will affect establishment and wear of the turf. Cheap seed is not a way to impress anyone and thus is a waste of time, effort and money.
           
When purchasing turf grass seed, take time and read the label to determine the type, amount and quality of the seed.  Turf grass seed by law is required to have a label that states certain information about the value of the seed.

The required information is: 
1.)    Name and address of the labeler
2.)    Lot number
3.)    Kind and variety of turf grass seed
4.)    Percentage of each species and variety of  the seed
5.)    Percentage of other crop seeds
6.)    Germination percentages
7.)    Percentage of weed seeds
8.)    Percentage of inert matter
9.)    Date the germination test was conducted
           
The type of turfgrass most commonly grown in the Northeast US is referred to as cool season grass.  These grass types grow the best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  The turfgrass species most often used are Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescues and fine fescues.  To impress your local garden center use the terms “blend” or “mixture” when purchasing grass seed.  A seed blend uses different types of selections of the same species of grass.  A seed mixture is when you use two or more species in your lawn.  A mixture is advantageous if your lawn has different site conditions.  An example of this might be a shady area in onespot with other areas that are in full sun.  Red fescue (a fine fescue) will soon dominate in the shade and Kentucky blue will win out in full sun.

The purity of turfgrass seed should be above ninety percent if you want a nice full lawn. Quality seed will have germination in the 80% and above.  If you go below 80% not only will you not have great germination but the grass that does germinate will be scrawny and feeble.

It is interesting that crop seed and weed seed also need to be listed on the label.  Crop seed is all agricultural seed that might have contaminated the turfgrass seed in the factory or during harvesting.  This percentage should be below 5%.  Weed seed contamination should not exceed 1%.  You don’t want to spend your summers weeding your turf.

Clay and other particles often end up in your grass seed.  Do not let the inert materials exceed 15%.

Next week I want to go over the different species of grass and the advantage and disadvantage of each species.  Your class assignment this week is to stop flipping through the channels and go out and read a few grass seed labels.