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Seeing Dead Spots in Your Lawn? Cool Your Heels

Now that the snow is gone, it’s easy to see where the dead spots are in your lawn. If that’s making you eager to seed your yard, Iowa State University Horticulture Professor Nick Christians tells host Charity Nebbe he recommends waiting a month or two.

It will be well into April before rye grasses will germinate and well into May before blue grasses will germinate. - Nick Christians

  “A common mistake that people make is that they buy seed, and they put it out but nothing happens because the soil is too cool. It will be well into April before rye grasses will germinate and well into May before blue grasses will germinate.”

Christians adds that if you want to seed in the spring, there are pre-emergent herbicides that will help, but the middle of August is really the best time.

During this Talk of Iowa program, Christians talks with Nebbe. Horticulture expert Richard Jauron of Iowa State University Extension also joins the program and answers listener questions. 

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Hort Day
Lindsey Moon is IPR's Senior Digital Producer
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa