Before buying your grass seed, make sure you match it to the conditions of your property, such as the amount of light and moisture available. You may need to buy more than one type of grass seed to cater to the different areas of your lawn. Mixing different kinds of grasses and ensuring that the mix suits lawn conditions discourages weed growth and improves your lawn’s chances of withstanding insects and disease.
In keeping with Canada’s cool climate, choose cool-season grasses, such as perennial rye grass and fine fescues. They germinate quickly and grow well in the spring and fall. Fine fescue grass often has the added benefit of internal fungus that provides insect resistance. Tolerant of cooler conditions, these grasses tend to grow more in spring and fall and go dormant during the hot mid-summer.
Kentucky bluegrass is a common choice for lawns for its aesthetic appeal. However, it is a higher maintenance choice that requires full sun, well-drained soil, and more water and nitrogen inputs than some other grasses. If you want to grow it, mix it with other grasses for improved strength. See your local nursery to determine the best mix for your garden.
Adding additional grass seed each year helps to keep your lawn lush enough to out-compete any weeds trying to establish themselves. Overseed in early spring or late summer/early fall to give the young plants about six weeks to establish themselves before the onset of the extreme conditions of summer or winter. Apply 900 grams (two pounds) per 1,000 square feet, or more if the lawn is thin (up to 1.8, kg or three to four pounds). You can increase the chances of these seeds germinating by giving the area a light raking to remove any barriers to the soil. Keep seeds and seedlings moist until established (about three to four weeks). Remove weeds by hand.
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