Archive for the ‘Seeds’ Category
Finding The Right Grass For Your Southern Climate
Did you know that different types of grasses are more suitable for different climates? There are types of grasses that are suitable for different climates due to the different needs and varieties. You can find a type of grass for any climate that you need, including a hot, dry climate or a moist climate and everything in between. If you happen to live in a more southernly climate, then you will find that these three types of grasses will work the best for you.

1. Zoysia

If you need a grass that is very tolerant of the cold, then you will want to choose Zoysia. This type of grass has a very dark and dense turf. A pH level between six and seven in the most ideal spot for this type of grass.

If you are growing Zoysia from seed, then you may find that it can be slow to take root. If you do not have the patience to wait, then you may want to choose sod over planted grass from seed.

Zoysia is more suited for an area with full sun, but you can find a few sub-varieties that will also grow good in the more shady areas. Emerald Zoysia has a high shade tolerance for those shady areas. This type of grass has some drought tolerance, but it is important that you watch the water level carefully and ensure that if the drought lasts longer than a week that you water your grass. Zoysia can make it well through shorter dry spells, but not ones that last a long time. You should fertilize your Zoysia grass in both the fall and the spring.

This type of grass is the most attractive looking of the warm climate grasses, but it does take a little more time and effort than the other types. If you are not able to give the grass the time and energy that it will need, then you will want to consider one of the other types of grasses for your yard.

2. Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is one type of grass that can give you great rewards and great pain. It can quickly get out of control and take over your flowerbeds, causing them to sprout grass due to the large amount of seeds that are released. This extra work and frustration can be worth it, however, if you do not have enough time in the day to take care of your yard. It will last for many years, even if you do not take very good care of it. It is also a great substitute for perennial ryegrass during the winter. You commonly see this kind of grass on the side of the roads in the South, mainly because it is hardy and durable enough for people to walk on it and drive on it without harming the grass.

For Bermudagrass to thrive, it needs warm weather. This grass grows very fast and is inexpensive compared to other kinds of grass. You need to make sure that it is only used on a lawn that gets full sun, because it does not flourish in shade areas.

3. Centipede

Centipede grass does not take much maintenance, either. It does not need to be mowed frequently or fertilized on a regular schedule which is great news if you do not like to work in your yard or don’t have time to work in your yard. Unlike Bermudagrass, however, it does not like heavy traffic and does not grow very fast.

Centipede grass is an ideal choice if you live in the deep South and have acidic soil. It will flourish in areas where other types of grass have not. It will grow in the shade, but it most likely will grow better if it grows in areas where there is full sun or almost full sun.

A low-nitrogen fertilizer should be used on your Centipede grass in the springtime. It is important, however, to make sure that your fertilizer is phosphorous free. The right mix for this type of grass is 15-0-15. Check the pH level of your soil as well, because it should be between 4.5 and 5 for the Centipede grass to have optimum growing conditions.

If you happen to live in the South, then you will be able to find some other types of grasses that will work as well. Some varieties of tall fescue will do well, especially the types that are drought-resistant.

Your local home and garden center will have a mix that will work for your area. Grass companies do a great deal of research and testing to create the right grass mix for different areas of the country. If you don’t have the time or money to do that yourself, then take advantage of their knowledge and choose a mix that is already prepared and ready for your lawn.
How to Plant Seeds
Any reliable seed house can be depended upon for good seeds; but even so, there is a great risk in seeds. A seed may to all appearances be all right and yet not have within it vitality enough, or power, to produce a hardy plant.
If you save seed from your own plants you are able to choose carefully. Suppose you are saving seed of aster plants. What blossoms shall you decide upon? Now it is not the blossom only which you must consider, but the entire plant. Why? Because a weak, straggly plant may produce one fine blossom. Looking at that one blossom so really beautiful you think of the numberless equally lovely plants you are going to have from the seeds. But just as likely as not the seeds will produce plants like the parent plant.
So in seed selection the entire plant is to be considered. Is it sturdy, strong, well shaped and symmetrical; does it have a goodly number of fine blossoms? These are questions to ask in seed selection. If you should happen to have the opportunity to visit a seedsman’s garden, you will see here and there a blossom with a string tied around it. These are blossoms chosen for seed. If you look at the whole plant with care you will be able to see the points which the gardener held in mind when he did his work of selection.
In seed selection size is another point to hold in mind. Now we know no way of telling anything about the plants from which this special collection of seeds came. So we must give our entire thought to the seeds themselves. It is quite evident that there is some choice; some are much larger than the others; some far plumper, too. By all means choose the largest and fullest seed. The reason is this: When you break open a bean and this is very evident, too, in the peanut you see what appears to be a little plant. So it is. Under just the right conditions for development this ‘little chap’ grows into the bean plant you know so well.
This little plant must depend for its early growth on the nourishment stored up in the two halves of the bean seed. For this purpose the food is stored. Beans are not full of food and goodness for you and me to eat, but for the little baby bean plant to feed upon. And so if we choose a large seed, we have chosen a greater amount of food for the plantlet. This little plantlet feeds upon this stored food until its roots are prepared to do their work. So if the seed is small and thin, the first food supply insufficient, there is a possibility of losing the little plant. You may care to know the name of this pantry of food. It is called a cotyledon if there is but one portion, cotyledons if two. Thus we are aided in the classification of plants. A few plants that bear cones like the pines have several cotyledons. But most plants have either one or two cotyledons.
From large seeds come the strongest plantlets. That is the reason why it is better and safer to choose the large seed. It is the same case exactly as that of weak children. There is often another trouble in seeds that we buy. The trouble is impurity. Seeds are sometimes mixed with other seeds so like them in appearance that it is impossible to detect the fraud. Pretty poor business, is it not? The seeds may be unclean. Bits of foreign matter in with large seed are very easy to discover. One can merely pick the seed over and make it clean. By clean is meant freedom from foreign matter. But if small seed are unclean, it is very difficult, well nigh impossible, to make them clean.
The third thing to look out for in seed is viability. We know from our testings that seeds which look to the eye to be all right may not develop at all. There are reasons. Seeds may have been picked before they were ripe or mature; they may have been frozen; and they may be too old. Seeds retain their viability or germ developing power, a given number of years and are then useless. There is a viability limit in years which differs for different seeds.
From the test of seeds we find out the germination percentage of seeds. Now if this percentage is low, don’t waste time planting such seed unless it be small seed. Immediately you question that statement. Why does the size of the seed make a difference? This is the reason. When small seed is planted it is usually sown in drills. Most amateurs sprinkle the seed in very thickly. So a great quantity of seed is planted. And enough seed germinates and comes up from such close planting. So quantity makes up for quality.
But take the case of large seed, like corn for example. Corn is planted just so far apart and a few seeds in a place. With such a method of planting the matter of per cent, of germination is most important indeed.
Small seeds that germinate at fifty per cent. may be used but this is too low a per cent. for the large seed. Suppose we test beans. The percentage is seventy. If low-vitality seeds were planted, we could not be absolutely certain of the seventy per cent coming up. But if the seeds are lettuce go ahead with the planting.
Find tips about how to grow roses and how to grow orchids at the How to Grow Things website.
Grass & Lawn Maintenance : How To Plant Centipede Grass Seed
Centipede grass seed can be planted in a yard by laying down a few inches of organic potting soil, raking in the seeds and misting the area with water. Plant centipede grass in the spring or fall w…
Gardening & Plant Care : Ways To Protect Grass Seed
Protect grass seed from birds by planting three times the recommended amount of seed, laying out a thin netting over the grass or setting up an automatic sprinkler to scare the birds away. Consider…
Grasses 101
There are a great many varieties of grass that you can choose from for you lawn. By considering climate, location, and soil, you will be able to find the grass that will help your lawn to look great!

How your lawn looks is an important part of your home’s landscape. Just about everyone has a yard, no matter how small or large. You may find that your lawn is offset by a huge porch or patio or a swimming pool, but the area around it needs to be taken care of to help enhance your entire home. When you begin the process of building your landscape around these areas, you need to ensure that you choose the right grass for your climate and your lawn to help make sure that it will thrive in your particular area. You also need to take into consideration the maintenance needs of the grasses that you are considering.

You need to determine exactly where you are putting the grass before you decide on the type of grass for your lawn. Consider how you are going to water the grass to make sure that it will survive. It is not a good idea to seed or sod a long, narrow strip of land, because it may not get the water it needs. It is best to plant grass or lay sod in larger, square-like areas. This makes it easier to water and take care of. You will want to keep these things in mind when choosing the right grass for your lawn.

When you are ready to choose the grass for your lawn, keep in mind the area where you live and the soil that you are planting the grass or laying the sod on. You may even need to have a soil analysis to help you determine which grass is best for that particular kind of soil. If your soil is not a place where any grass will thrive, then you can add some kind of soil amendment to help make up for what the soil is lacking. This can help give you a better chance of having grass that will thrive.

Your climate will have a huge impact upon how your grass grows. If you live in a warm climate, then you may want to choose St. Augustine grass or Bermuda grass. Kentucky Blue Grass is a popular choice, but it does not do well during seasons of drought, so you need to keep that in mind. If you live in an area that is semi-arid, then you will want to choose a zoysia grass, buffalo grass, or centipede grass for your lawn. These grasses do not need as much water, and they will hold up well during times of drought.

Ornamental grasses can be an integral part of your landscape, too. They are not usually used for your entire lawn, but they can help give your lawn added interest due to their texture and height. When deciding which ornamental grasses you should purchase for your lawn, then you need to consider where you are locating the grasses, the climate, and your soil. The good news is that ornamental grasses are very easy to take care of and they are wonderful for areas where you conserve water.

Location and climate are not the only things to keep in mind when choosing your ornamental grasses. You should also keep in mind how the grass will look in your lawn. Scale is very important in helping your lawn to look the best it can, and by using fewer types of ornamental grass, you will find that you are more able to control the scale. Large groups of ornamental grasses will contrast nicely against the other part of your landscape.

The grass is a very important part of the landscape around your home. Whether you plant seed or lay sod, you will want to carefully consider your grass choices. Do your research to help ensure that the grass that you choose will thrive and look great in your lawn for a long time to come. Enjoy the beauty of grass!
Decorate Your Garden Using Different Types Of Grass
Kentucky Blue Grass is a fantastic type of grass and it is particularly popular in North America. It does need a little maintenance but if you are prepared to look after it. it will reward you by making your lawn look amazing.

When thinking of landscaping, you may want to think about the various types of grass that there are available to you. Kentucky Blue grass in particular can be quite good, though you will find that it is not native to America, it was simply brought there by colonists from Europe. However, despite that it is extremely common, especially in humid climates of the states, so if you haven’t yet thought about having Kentucky Blue grass you might want to consider it now.

Everything You Need to Know About Kentucky Blue Grass

All types of grass are different, they look different and Kentucky Blue grass is generally recognized by its boat shaped tips on its blades. It can grow to be two feet in height so do not forget to mow it frequently if you want a well trimmed lawn! You will find that it grows in spurts depending on how long the days are and so one month the grass could grow extremely quickly, whilst a couple of weeks later it could just stop for no apparent reason.

As for when to grow the grass, it tends to do better in late spring. However, it is entirely possible to plant the grass seeds earlier if needed. Just remember that usually you need around three pounds of seeds for every 1,000 square feet of land that you are planting it in. That will ensure that you get the best results possible for your lawn. As with other types of grass, Kentucky Blue does need some looking after once it has been planted. For example, it will need to be watered around two to three times per day once it has first been planted. This should be done for a couple of weeks approximately, though it obviously depends entirely upon the weather. As soon as you notice the seeds sprouting, you can then cut back on watering them.

If you are looking for a low maintenance grass then Kentucky Blue is definitely not for you. You will find that it needs a lot of water and so if you haven’t got the time to water it you should not even consider it. If you simply do not water it as often as it needs it will die. It is thought that it needs at least two inches of water per week to stay fit and thriving.

Overall Kentucky Blue grass is really popular, it looks good, but it can be a little higher maintenance than some other types of grass. So, as long as you know what you are letting yourself in for, it can be a really good grass to have and it can make your lawn look fantastic.
Which of the Grass Types is Better for Your Lawn?
One may think that grass is grass and that all grasses are the same, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There a number of varieties of grass on the market today, each with its own qualities. When looking at the different grass types you may become overwhelmed. You will learn that there are ornamental grasses, crab grasses, centipede grasses and a number of other grasses that are great possibilities when landscaping your yard.


One type of grass is the Zoysia grass that in fact grows differently than other kinds of grasses. When this grass grows it actually sends out stolons or runners that allow it to expand sideways rather than vertically. The grass grows in denser that other types of grass. This is the most cost effective grass and really requires somewhat less attention than some of the other grasses on the market. There are a number of benefits to using this type of grass for landscaping.


* One of the great things about this grass is that it grows in a variety of conditions and climates. However, this is not a good choice of grass if you are living in an area with extreme heat conditions. The grass will not grow in extreme heat.


* The grass itself grows sideways and naturally fills in troubled or damaged areas on its own. It requires very little fertilizing and seeding.


* The roots are grow very deep and requires little watering.


* Feels great on the feet and skin because of its denseness.

However there are some drawbacks to using this type of grass. It is not a perfect grass by any means.


* While some people enjoy this, others do not; the grass turns brown in the winter months when the temperature drops. It cannot grow as well in extreme cold temperatures.


* The grass itself can become overpowering, meaning that once rooted it can over take your flower beds and other planted areas.


* When planting Zoysia seeds you can expect to wait at least five months before your grass starts to grow.


* If you have an existing lawn you have to use plugs in your lawn to put the Zoysia in place.


Centipede grass adapts well to low fertility conditions. This type of grass was brought from South China to the United States in the early 1900s. The growth cycle usually takes about three years to complete so this isn’t the type of grass you would want for your lawn if you are looking for immediate results unless you plan to put sod in your yard instead of seeds. This type of grass grows best in full sunlight. If you are planting seeds where the iron is deficient then you might want to try adding some iron sulphate spray to enhance growth and colour. Using less nitrogen chemicals on your grass will help to keep the worms away. This type of grass does require frequent watering but it must be deep watering when is watered.
For more information on grass types, sod worms and lots of lawn care tips visit http://www.HobbyLawnCare.com
Tips For Growing Grass
Growing new grass can be a frustrating chore if you don’t have the proper supplies needed to do so, or the patience to get through the time consuming process. It takes time and constant attention to successfully grow grass and you must be willing to put in a little time in order to have the best outcome possible. This article will discuss the basic steps to grow grass successfully.
The fist step is to gather all of the supplies needed for the growing process. You’ll need seed, soil, and a little fertilizer. Another optional supply a toss up between straw, burlap, or mesh planting fabric of some sort which will be used as an additional protective layer for the seed. Pre mix the grass seed and the fertilizer so you don’t have the lay the two down separately, you can spread both in one shot.
One thing to keep in mind before putting any effort into the growing process is that the in order for grass to germinate, which is the point at which the seed begins to grow, there must be warm temperatures present on a constant basis. So the growing season typically lasts from mid spring to early fall. This is the time when temperatures are warm enough for germination to occur.
When you have all your supplies, and the timing is right, then you are ready to plant grass. The fist step is to prepare the area in which you plan to grow the grass by evenly spreading out any existing soil and providing a flat surface where the grass can grow evenly. Once the surface is prepared, you then you can lay down the grass seed/fertilizer mixture. Spread it out evenly over the growing surface according to the specifications on the bag.
Once you have seed/fertilizer mixture spread completely over the growing area, the next step is to apply a layer of soil over the top. Spread and even layer about ½ inch thick over the entire growing area. This will provide protection for the seed and a place for the roots to be planted. When you have the soil spread out and completely covering the seed, you can also place a thin layer of straw or planting fabric over the top to provide and additional layer of protection.
That’s all there is to the planting part of the job. Now the only thing left to do is water the seed on a consistent basis. Grass will usually begin to grow in 7 to 10 days, but this will depend on the amount of watering you do, and the temperatures that occur. Be careful not to water too much as this will affect the growing process. Also, if you don’t water enough, then it will take longer to grow.
When the grass starts to grow and really fill in nicely, you can cut back the amount of watering to an every other day basis for a few weeks until the grass has grown in fully. At this point you can perform the first cutting and remove any straw or planting fabric that may have been used in the initial growing stages. From then on, you can perform your usual lawn care tasks and enjoy the nice new grass that you worked so hard on to grow.
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Gardening & Plant Care : Ways To Protect Grass Seed
Protect grass seed from birds by planting three times the recommended amount of seed, laying out a thin netting over the grass or setting up an automatic sprinkler to scare the birds away. Consider…
Gardening & Plant Care : Ways To Protect Grass Seed
Protect grass seed from birds by planting three times the recommended amount of seed, laying out a thin netting over the grass or setting up an automatic sprinkler to scare the birds away. Consider…