Is my lawn full of weeds? What you need to know about grass seed-heads

During late spring to early summer, Kentucky Bluegrass lawns may begin going to seed. You may be thinking that your lawn is being inundated with weeds but, in fact, these are just seed-heads, a natural occurrence for about a month in the lifecycle of your Kentucky Bluegrass lawn. Grass going to seed is a natural process and is actually a good sign the plant is healthy and growing well.

If you’re concerned about the state of your lawn, don’t worry! There are easy and inexpensive ways to ensure you lawn stays healthy and looking great during this phase of plant life. Here are a couple ways you can help your lawn through this stage of its lifecycle, so it returns to its beautiful lush and green self very soon.

Continue to mow:

You may first notice the seed-heads between your regular mowing as the stalks of the seed will grow taller than the rest of your glass blades. To keep your lawn looking its best, make sure to keep up with mowing. And, remember these mowing tips for a great looking, healthy lawn:

• Your bluegrass lawn should be mowed at a height of between 1.5″-3.5″ for optimal plant growth.
• Ensure your mower is properly set to never remove more than one-third of the leaf any time you mow.
• Be sure to keep your mower blades sharp to help improve the look of your lawn. Dull edges can cause torn grass blades and leave your lawn vulnerable and open to disease.
• Instead of cleaning up grass trimmings, leave them in place to decompose. This allows for nutrients to recycle back into the earth, reaching the roots and strengthening them.

Apply Fertilizer:

One easy and fast way you can improve your lawn’s health is by fertilizing after seed-heading is done. While your lawn is going to seed, seed-heads become the plants priority for nutrients, so you may notice the growth of grass blades starting to slow down.

To help your lawn recover, apply fertilizer after seed-head season. Manderley Summer Formula Fertilizer (Western Canada) or Manderley Maintenance Formula Fertilizer (available in Eastern Canada) will help replenish your lawn with the nutrients it lost on growing seed-heads. Fertilizer is a quick and low-cost way to boost nutrients and will help thicken up your lawn, helping it look like its regular self in no time.

Filling in a Patchy Lawn:

Allowing your lawn to go to seed isn’t the best way to fill-in in thin patches. It can take months before the seed reaches maturity and as the plant focuses its energy on seed production, it may actually look like your lawn is thinning over time. The best way to keep your lawn thick and green, is the same solution as managing seed-heads. Mowing often, and fertilizer. Kentucky Bluegrass is rhizomatous and self-repairing. When healthy, the grass will grow rhizomes, horizontal roots that propagate new plants and spread into areas with no current grass coverage.

You can also overseed with one of Manderley’s seed blends. Overseeding is an easy way to thicken your lawn, and keep your lawn looking healthy all season. Our Less Water Grass Seed, contains a special blend of premium quality, TWCA drought qualified grass seed, that requires as much as 50% less water than conventional grass seed blends; which means less watering and less work, saving you time.

Fertilizing and mowing are quick and easy maintenance practices during the seed-head state of your lawn’s lifecycle to help it look great again in no time. And, remember, keeping up with regular maintenance, including overseeding, is the best way to keep your lawn looking its best throughout its entire lifecycle. Be sure to check out our Seasonal Maintenance Guide for more tips on how to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant all summer long!