To ensure the best results, please avoid walking on the lawn as much as possible and limit heavy traffic for 6-8 weeks after the service. Foot traffic significantly decreases the percentage of seeds that germinate properly.

Rain Maker is considered non-toxic and is made from the same water-absorbing polymer technology used in baby diapers. While it is considered non-toxic for people and pets when used as directed, ingesting large quantities of the polymers may pose a health risk. As a precaution, we recommend keeping young children who tend to put objects in their mouths, as well as dogs or other pets that are prone to eating foreign objects, off the lawn until Rain Maker has been thoroughly absorbed into the soil and is no longer visible on the surface.

Rain Maker may also become slippery when wet. Following heavy rain, snowfall, or irrigation, the polymers can temporarily form a gel that may create a slippery surface. If this occurs, avoid walking on the treated area until the polymers have either been fully absorbed into the soil or have dried and returned to their original state. Wait until this has occurred before mowing or resuming normal use of the lawn.

Grass seed will be applied using a special machine called a Stinger Super Seeder.  If the super seeder does not fit into the area that needs to be seeded then we will double aerate that section and use a chest spreader or hand spreader to apply the seed. 

Humate will be applied with a push spreader, and Rain Maker will be applied with a hand spreader. During the grass seed application, the distribution will not be uniform. We will apply more seed to bare areas, less seed to thin areas, and only a small amount to thick areas. Our goal is to create a lawn that is dense, thick, and even.

Post-emergent weed control is best applied at least one week before overseeding or two weeks after. However, since each weed control product is different, it is essential to read the label of the weed killer before applying it to your lawn.

Different types of grass seeds germinate at various times. Ryegrass typically germinates in about 9 days, Fescue takes around 16 days, and Bluegrass requires approximately 22 days to germinate. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the soil remains adequately moist, as the seeds will not germinate without sufficient moisture.

The lawn needs to be watered daily for four to six weeks. We recommend watering for 10 minutes with rotary and MP rotator nozzles, and 2 to 4 minutes with pop-up nozzles. Additionally, continue watering deeply according to the 1-2-3-2-1 technique. This means that the lawn will be watered deeply for 1 or 2 days per week, while on the remaining 5 or 6 days, it will receive a lighter watering.

Setting up a sprinkler system for seeding can be complicated, and Organo-Lawn will only guarantee seed germination if Organo-Lawn programs the clock to water correctly.

All of our grass seed types are visually appealing, featuring vibrant colors and a soft texture.

Best Choice – Emerald III consists of 33.3% Jaguar II Turf-Type Tall Fescue, 33.3% Mustang Turf-Type Tall Fescue, and 33.3% Rebel II Turf-Type Tall Fescue. Emerald III is tough and durable, able to withstand low mowing heights, hot weather, and extreme drought with limited watering. It adapts well to moist soils and recovers quickly from heavy foot traffic, performing well in both sunny and shady areas.

Good Choice – Supreme contains 70% Kentucky Bluegrass (Allblue blend), 20% Perennial Ryegrass (Four-Play), and 10% Creeping Red Fescue. This blend has a deep green color, excellent wear resistance, good disease resistance, and winter hardiness; however, it requires more water and frequent mowing. Many people are attracted to bluegrass for its aesthetic appeal.

For Low Maintenance Areas – Ecological includes 20% Hard Fescue, 20% Chewing’s Fescue, 20% Creeping Red Fescue, 25% Kentucky Bluegrass, and 15% Perennial Ryegrass. This mix establishes quickly, creating a dense and low-growing turf that requires less mowing. It has a fine texture, thrives in open sun, and offers good shade and drought tolerance. Additionally, it tolerates poor soil conditions and low fertility but is not recommended for high-traffic areas or athletic fields.

To achieve the best results after seeding, it’s crucial to wait at least 10 days to two weeks before mowing. When it’s time to mow, remember to set your mower to the highest setting to protect your newly grown grass.

Top seeding aims to fill in small gaps and help establish young grass in an older, thinning lawn. With proper watering, only about 50-80% of the applied grass seeds will germinate. Therefore, a second application may be necessary for lawns that are particularly thin.

Fertilizer decreases grass seed germination. Typical rates are 50%-80%. With fertilizer, rates decrease to 10%-40%, as this can overstimulate new seed.

In our opinion.  Emerald III Turf Type Tall Fescue is the perfect grass variety for Colorado lawns. It features a fine texture, a rich dark green color, and a dense, uniform turf that resembles Bluegrass in quality. Emerald III is tough and durable, exhibiting cold tolerance and the ability to withstand low mowing heights. Once established, it requires less fertilization and thrives in hot weather, making it suitable for drought conditions with limited watering. This grass type recovers well from foot traffic and heavy use. It performs admirably in full shade and possesses a wide range of adaptability and pH tolerance. Additionally, it is highly drought- and disease-resistant, making it an ideal choice for Colorado. Notably, two of the three seed cultivars received a #1 rating in their respective categories in 2006.

Grass Seed Comparison Chart

Yes, you can apply Emerald III over a Bluegrass lawn. However, you might notice a slight difference between the two grass types. Emerald III has a wider blade and a deeper green color. While most people don’t recognize the difference, lawn experts may be able to spot the subtle variations between the two types of grass.

Emerald III is a type of turf tall fescue known for its uniform growth, softness, and traditional lawn appearance. Emerald III is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye and soft of the feet.  In contrast, the unimproved tall fescue that many people consider problematic tends to grow in clumps, feels stiff to the touch, and exhibits an irregular growth pattern.

Once established, an Emerald III lawn requires about one-third less water compared to Bluegrass lawns.

In Colorado, selecting sod is the most effecient way to create a beautiful lawn. Bluegrass is usually the grass of choice because it can be easily harvested and rolled, making installation straightforward and efficient. In contrast, tall fescue, which is known for its clumping growth habit, cannot be rolled into sod strips, complicating the installation process. As a result, seeding is the preferred method for achieving a lush tall fescue lawn. This is why you will predominantly find bluegrass blends in sod rolls throughout the region. Since fescue can only be seeded, most landscape companies install bluegrass sod to provide instant results even though fescue is a better grass type for Colorado.

It is most likely because the bluegrass under your shade tree does not receive enough sunlight per day.  Bluegrass needs a lot more direct sunlight to stay healthy than fescue grasses.

1. Lack of Sunlight

• Bluegrass Needs Light: Kentucky bluegrass requires about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Under a shade tree, sunlight is often blocked, preventing photosynthesis.
• Dense Canopy: A dense tree canopy can further reduce light penetration, especially during the growing season.

2. Competition for Resources

• Tree Roots vs. Grass Roots: Tree roots compete with grass for water, nutrients, and space. Large, established trees typically win this competition, leaving grass stressed.
• Nutrient Deficiency: The shade tree might be absorbing most of the available nutrients in the soil, starving the grass.

3. Soil Compaction

• Overwatering: Most people overwater underneath trees and this creates severe compaction in the soil.

4. Species Mismatch

• Bluegrass Struggles in Shade: Kentucky bluegrass is not well-suited for shaded environments. It prefers sunny, open spaces and may fail to thrive under a tree.  Fescue is a much better choice for shade areas.

Solutions to Revive Grass Under Your Shade Tree

1. Increase Light Availability:
   • Trim or thin the tree canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the grass.
2. Choose Shade-Tolerant Grass:
   • Replace bluegrass with shade-tolerant species like fine fescue or tall fescue.
3. Improve Soil Conditions:
   • Aerate the soil to reduce compaction and improve root access to water and nutrients.
   • Add a thin layer of compost to enrich the soil.
4. Adjust Watering Practices:
   • Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth for both grass and trees.
5. Apply Mulch Around the Tree:
   • Replace grass near the tree trunk with mulch to reduce competition and create a neat aesthetic.
6. Reduce Foot Traffic:
   • Minimize activity under the tree to reduce soil compaction.
7. Consider Alternative Landscaping:
   • Replace grass with shade-loving ground covers like hostas, ivy, or moss in extreme cases.

Unimproved tall fescue grass is a clump-forming variety, which means it grows in uneven patches that can look unattractive. This type of tall fescue can be rough to walk on and lacks visual appeal. In contrast, turf-type tall fescue is an improved variety that is more aesthetically pleasing and softer underfoot.

Organo-Lawn guarantees seed germination for qualifying Top Seeding Packages when all of the following requirements are met:

1. Top Seeding Packages Only
   The germination guarantee applies only to Top Seeding Packages performed by Organo-Lawn. Seed-only services and seeds that are delivered to the property are not guaranteed.
2. Sprinkler Audit Required
   For the guarantee to be valid, Organo-Lawn must perform a sprinkler audit within one week of the Top Seeding Package. This allows us to verify that the sprinkler system provides adequate coverage throughout the seeded areas and that the controller is properly programmed to promote seed germination.
3. Required Sprinkler Repairs
   If sprinkler problems are identified during the audit, any necessary repairs must be completed by Organo-Lawn for the germination guarantee to remain valid. If the homeowner or another company performs the repairs, Organo-Lawn must perform an additional sprinkler audit to verify proper operation and coverage before the guarantee can take effect. The additional audit will be subject to an additional charge.
4. Sprinkler Programming Must Not Be Changed
   The sprinkler programming established by Organo-Lawn must not be altered or changed during the germination period. Any changes to the programming will void the germination guarantee.
5. Payment Must Be Made Within 30 Days
   The Top Seeding Package must be paid in full within 30 days of the service date. If payment is not received within 30 days, the germination guarantee will be void.

Rain Maker is considered non-toxic and is made from the same water-absorbing polymer technology used in baby diapers. While it is considered non-toxic for people and pets when used as directed, ingesting large quantities of the polymers may pose a health risk. As a precaution, we recommend keeping young children who tend to put objects in their mouths, as well as dogs or other pets that are prone to eating foreign objects, off the lawn until Rain Maker has been thoroughly absorbed into the soil and is no longer visible on the surface.

Rain Maker may also become slippery when wet. Following heavy rain, snowfall, or irrigation, the polymers can temporarily form a gel that may create a slippery surface. If this occurs, avoid walking on the treated area until the polymers have either been fully absorbed into the soil or have dried and returned to their original state. Wait until this has occurred before mowing or resuming normal use of the lawn.