best time to plant grass seed in northern illinois Lawn Alternative

best time to plant grass seed in northern illinois Lawn AlternativeThis special blend grass lawn blend was created specifically for those areas where low maintenance is a must such as steep hillsides, deep roughs on golf courses, RV parks, Cabins, or planting with wildflowers, or for lazy homeowners like me :) It's great in small or large landscapes! It's relatively deep roots help it compete well against weeds and makes it more drought resistant than typical turf. If left to its own devices, it reaches 6 8" in

This special blend grass lawn blend was created specifically for those areas where low maintenance is a must such as steep hillsides, deep roughs on golf courses, RV parks, Cabins, or planting with wildflowers, or for lazy homeowners like me :) It's great in small or large landscapes! It's relatively deep roots help it compete well against weeds and makes it more drought-resistant than typical turf.

If left to its own devices, it reaches 6-8" in height and forms flowing mounds of grass and seed heads. If you decide to mow we recommend 3 inches, high mowing has many benefits from weed reduction to gas savings and your Eco-Mow lawn will have a more traditional turf look.

Even though Eco-Mow is non-native it has many benefits over traditional turf:

• Forms a dense sod
• Requires little fertilizer if any
• Requires little water if any once established
• Less mowing per year if desired
• Adaptable to a wide range of soils and growing conditions
• Very good adaptation to shade and full sunlight
• Thrives in most moderately to well-drained soils
• Adaptable to a wide range of soil pH
• Excellent for moderate foot traffic 
• Quality turf even on unfavorable sites
• Rapid establishment

Timing is critical to assure success when seeding cool-season grasses like this one. Mid-August to early-September is the ideal time for seeding lawns in northern Illinois. April would be the second choice. Seeding in late spring through mid-summer often leads to problems as the summer heat slows or stops grass development of our cool-season grasses and they are often stressed from drought.

• New Seeding Rate:
• 8 lbs/1000 sq ft
• 220 lbs/acre
• Over-seeding:
• 3-4 lbs/1000 sq ft
• 175 lbs/acre

25% Hard Fescue, 25% Chewings Fescue, 25% Creeping Red Fescue, 25% Sheeps Fescue

*All mixes may vary in % composition and species composition based upon availability.

Photo © Copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.