In central and southern Ohio, the entire month of September is acceptable. Lawns seeded later in the fall may fail because the seedling turf has insufficient growth to survive the winter. If seeding cannot be done by October 15 in northern Ohio or before October 30 in southern Ohio, postpone the job until spring. Besides the summer survival risks associated with spring and winter seedings, these seedings also will be susceptible to heavy infestations of summer annual weeds including crabgrass, foxtail, barnyardgrass, pigweed and many others. Infestations of these summer annual weeds are greatly reduced in successful early fall seedings, since a good density develops before the weed seeds germinate the following spring.
Most people sow much more seed than is needed.
The lower rate suggested in Table 1 is adequate if the seeds are distributed evenly. The higher rate will provide a more dense turf during the establishment period but does not substitute for other recommended practices in establishing the lawn. Use shade-tolerant bluegrass varieties if available. Used for low maintenance lawns. Not recommended for home lawns because of high maintenance level.