How do I seed with Jonathan Green Black Beauty?

For the best results, follow the directions below for establishing a new lawn or overseeding an existing one with Jonathan Green's Black Beauty grass seed line.

Prepare:

• Mow - Mow the lawn at the lowest mower setting before seeding to allow the seed to reach the soil.
• Rake - Rake over the existing grass with a metal rake to remove the thatch layer and any debris to loosen the soil. Add additional topsoil to fill in holes and level the ground.
• Check soil pH level - Have a soil test taken to check your soil’s pH level. The optimum soil pH should be between 6.2 to 7.0. For a pH below 6.2 use MAG-I-CAL® Plus for Acidic & Hard Soil to rapidly increase pH. If the pH is above 7.0 use MAG-I-CAL® Plus for Alkaline & Hard Soil to rapidly decrease the soil pH.

Seed:

• When to apply - The best time to apply seed is mid-August to mid-October while the ground is still warm and the nights are cooler. Mid-March through mid-May is the next best time to plant when the soil temperature reaches 55º+ Fahrenheit and the temperature of the air stays consistently warm.
• Spread seed - Apply half of the seed with a rotary spreader in one direction (north to south) and the remainder in the opposite direction (east to west). It is beneficial to spread a new seeding fertilizer that is high in phosphorus at this time as well.
• Rake seed - Rake lightly into the ground with a metal rake. Walk with light, even footsteps on the seedbed to firm the soil around the seed. Do not bury the seed more than one-fourth of an inch deep.

Maintain:

• Water - For best germination, water lightly each morning to keep the seedbed moist. In sandier soils that dry out quickly watering more than once a day may be needed. Continue watering regularly for a few weeks until the grass plants reach a height of 2 - 2.5 inches.
• Mow - Begin mowing when the new grass has reached a height of 3 - 4 inches. Make sure the mower has sharp blades. Be careful not to scalp the lawn, low mowing will stress the root system and encourage the growth of weeds.

For more information on caring for new seed, check out our Free Fall Seeding Supplement. 

Keywords: seed, seeding, establishing a new lawn, germinating seed, Jonathan Green