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.

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.

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.

The best locations are established woodland sites with some established canopy, but which have suitable ground conditions to give the best chance of success.

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.

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.

Burning off weeds only kills the tops and the new seed, but the roots will return to haunt you again.

The choice over whether to divide large plants really depends on your growing goals and situation. You may wish to grow the plant into a larger 'specimen plant' that will produce larger and more flowers reliably, or you may want to produce divisions for trade or sale if the plant is in demand. Because most of our plants 'work by producing seed, we are very hesitant to divide them unless they fall apart at a division point when they are repotted.

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.

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.

In this area tomatoes and other warm season vegetables are planted in the spring (March) and fall (September). For a complete listing of vegetable varieties and their planting dates request publication SP 103 from your local Cooperative Extension Service.

Autumn and spring are much the best times for planting trees, shrubs, roses and herbaceous perennials when the ground is moist but not saturated. Ensure that the root ball of plants have been well soaked with water prior to planting. Make sure that the plants receive a good supply of water throughout their first year and water well in subsequent years during periods of drought. Evergreens should be planted in the early spring when the ground is still damp.

In our climate, you can plant herbs year round, keeping in mind that summer can be hard on any plant if they are not given proper care and water. Some do better at different times however. For instance, dill, cilantro, chervil, and most greens (such as arugula and mustard) are cool season plants and do best when planted in fall, winter, or early spring. They will not tolerate the heat of our summers.