In St. Louis, we are in the transition zone between ideals for northern and southern grasses. Tall Fescues are best adapted for our area where there are extremes of cold winters and hot summers.

Grass seed can be planted in either spring or fall. However, fall is the best time because the ground is warm and there is less weed competition. By far the best time is late August to mid-September. This allows time for the seed to germinate and grow, for the grass to be cut once, and for an application of fertilizer to be applied before the first hard frost.

None, really. That’s not exactly true, but then they haven’t developed an Astroturf seed yet. There is no true shade grass; all grasses like some sun. However, the best of the bunch that can get along with less sun than the rest is Poa trivialis. Kentucky 31 tall fescue, Zoysia, Japonica, Zoysia matrella, Astoria bent, Highland and Penncross bents, as well as creeping red, Illahee, and Chew-lugs fescue, all will tolerate light shade.

Fall is the best time to sow because there is a more developed root system by the time summer drought stress occurs. Spring is the second best time because the temperature and moisture is good for germination.

A blend of fine fescue, bluegrass and certain varieties of perennial rye can tolerate a fairly shady area. However, dense shade may require ground covers or shade type perennial plants. More important is cultural practices such as irrigation and more frequent light applications of fertilizer to make up this loss taken by trees.

quot;Selecting the Right Grass for your Kentucky Lawn" by A. J. Powell Jr. discusses specific varieties, including their qualities, adaptations, and problems. This article, AGR-52 is in PDF format.

Positively and without a doubt you can grow it from seed. Be my guest. Astoria, Highland, Penn-cross, or Seaside bents all can be grown from sown seed. Before tackling a bent lawn, though, make sure you understand that they take a ton of work and a special mower. What do you mean all? There’s perennial or annual. If you’re talking about brand names; they’re improved varieties of the same two.

To establish a lawn in western Washington, choose a combination of turftype tall fescue grasses and turftype perennial rye grasses. A mix that adds up to about 90% of these two grass seed types will grow well in either sun or light shade in western Washington. Turftype perennial ryegrass takes full sun and stands up to traffic. Turftype tall fescues are adapted to shadier locations. In combination, the mix works for a lawn in average light conditions.

In this area the best time to put grass seed down is in the spring during the months of April and May and in the fall during the month of September.

We seed our lawns at the time of the spring clean-up, and will continue spot seeding as needed through late May as the weather permits. From late August through early October, we seed and make lawn repairs as needed.

Plastic, concrete, and iron, none of which is available yet. In the South you can count on U-3 Bermuda grass, and in the North, Kentucky 31 tall fescue. I want to caution anyone who is planting a play area not to be tempted to add clover seed to these areas to fill in spots as it can cause injuries. Clover is slippery, and when running feet try to stop quickly, clover won’t cooperate.

Why not? Remember, just before a snow, top dress with a light sprinkle of soil so the birds don’t think you’re a horticultural philanthropist.

Mole activity in your lawn, golf course or fields can mangle water lines, which can lead to expensive flood damage. Mole activity may break cables, which can affect phones or any other utility you receive through underground lines. Moles destroy sprinkler systems by uprooting sprinkler heads and warping underground water lines. Mole tree damage is a huge concern. Their burrowing can expose tree roots, girdle and clip trees—all great ways to kill a tree in your yard or golf course.

There could be several reasons, such as an iron deficiency, too high a pH or a lack of iron in the soil. I would suggest a soil test to determine the pH. We offer this service here at the Volusia County Extension Service, 3100 East New York Avenue (Route 44), Deland. The cost is $1 for three samples. We test each Thursday morning, so bring it to the center before then. If the pH is okay, try applying iron chelate in the area. Sedge is an indicator of over-irrigation.

Maybe you shouldn’t. If grass can’t compete with moss, it may not be the best location for it. We sell many good shade ground covers. If you’re determined to grow grass, remember: