Seeds

Grass, vegetable and flower seeds are sold either in bulk or packages, with packages far more widespread.

Seed packages are extremely functional because they carry complete planting instructions, showing planting and harvesting times for geographic areas.

LAWN SEED

Grass seed is sold in boxes and bags as well as in bulk. Coverage rate is more important than weight of the package, because this reflects the quality and vigor of the grass strain.

GRASS SEED - PURE OR MIXED?

In cool-season northern states, a blend of permanent grasses is best, as long as about 90 percent of the mixture is desirable permanent lawn grasses.

Unblended grasses, such as pure Bermuda grass, do well in warm- season southern states. It is also important to know that many newer types of warm-season grasses cannot be started from seed. They must be set out as plantings. Good cool-season grasses include bluegrass, red and tall fescue and bentgrass. Warm-season grasses include common Bermuda grass, zoysia, centipede and carpetgrass.

In mixtures, remember that formulations vary greatly. Prepackaged seed must indicate on the package the percentage of each grass type in the mixture.

Each pound of better grass seed contains a higher percentage of permanent grasses, more desirable for a long-lasting lawn. Inexpensive mixes frequently contain low-quality annual grasses and too many contaminants, such as weed seed, to maintain a good lawn.

COMMON LAWN GRASSES

The following describes the most common preferred grass seeds and some of their characteristics:

Rye-grass - fast-growing seed, frequently used by itself or in mixtures. Rye-grass is available as an annual or perennial. The annual is quick to germinate for temporary lawns. Small quantities may be included in seed mixtures. Good to cover slopes because of quick germination.

Kentucky Bluegrass - forms a good sod when grown alone and thrives when included in a mixture. Slow to germinate and become established. Won't tolerate dense shade. Responds to adequate fertilization and high mowing (more than an inch and a half).

Other Bluegrasses - Newport, Delta, Park, Arboretum and Rugby.

Merion - seeds are very small which means greater coverage per pound. Resistant to leaf spot. Can be mowed closer and fertilized more. Retains green look longer. Best to plant in early fall or very early spring because seedlings grow slowly. Subject to rust and powdery mildew in fall if soil lacks nitrogen.

Victa - dark, deep bluegreen bluegrass with a medium-fine texture and low growth habit. Good leaf spot resistance and above-average shade tolerance.

Adelphi - hybrid from Rutgers University. Dark green, low growth with medium texture. Durable.

Baron - dark bluish-green, low- growing, disease resistant and relatively problem free.

Arista - bright green, medium- textured grass from Europe. Not as disease resistant as other varieties, but adds strength to blends.

Fylking - Swedish development widely used in blends. Low growing, disease resistant.

Red Fescue - Well adapted to drought soils in shady or sunny area. Generally included in bluegrass mixtures. Creeping fescue is another common strain. Some strains are subject to leaf spot and become open and pitted in the summer. Fall planting preferred.

Tall Fescue - ather coarse, but good for areas that need a tough stand of grass.

Bentgrass - used mainly on golf putting greens. Dense patches of creeping bentgrass generally are unwanted. Where bent is desired, it must be given good care, cut very close, fertilized regularly, watered repeatedly and thinned several times a year.

Clover - sometimes appears in seed mixtures. Considered undesirable by many, but tolerated by others.

Bermuda grass - spreads by fast-growing surface runners during warm periods, but goes brown and dormant from first frost till late spring. Not recommended in northern areas.

Zoysia - planted by plugs. Adapted to sunny areas in warmer parts of the Midwest. Surface runners make a dense mat, which reduces weeds and crabgrass. It turns brown slowly in mid-fall; remains dormant until mid-spring.

Centipede - good in moderate shade and infertile soil; has few insect or disease problems.

Carpetgrass - recommended for infertile and sandy soils. Does not like shade and must be mowed frequently.

Bahia Grass - grows well in partial sun or shade in warm climates. Requires little maintenance. Keep trimmed to 1/2 inch.

St. Augustine - recommended for Florida and Gulf Coast areas. A course, tough grass that requires a power mower, but little other maintenance.

Ground Covers - steep slopes, banks or heavily shaded areas sometimes require ground covers. Among the most popular are myrtle, purple-leaf wintercreeper and Baltic English ivy.

This table, prepared by the University of Illinois, is for use with recommended dosages of insecticides for household insects included in the charts on the preceding pages. This table is not to be used for vegetable, flower, tree, shrub or lawn insect treatments. Tables accompanying other charts show volume of spray necessary for these treatments.

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Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.