Question
We have purchased a new home and I am elected to pick out the new grass seed. We looked at the cost of sod and at that point decided we would rather spend our $ on some new furniture rather than save a few days and create an "instant lawn"! What is the proper scheduling and correct choice of grass for this part of the globe which is I think Zone 6? Thank you.

Answer
Buy bags of mixed cool season grass seeds, containing perennial ryegrass, kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues. Sow seeds in late august/early september just as the summer temperatures start to fall. Make sure you have good soil/seed contact (walk on the seed bed or use back of rake to tamp seeds into soil). It is best if you can loosen 1" of soil on top before starting.

After sowing seeds, you must keep seedbed consistently moist until seeds germinate. Do this by watering twice daily until new grass emerge. then gradually change to an infrequent but deep watering pattern (such as once per week for 1 hour). However, seedbeds must be kept consistently moist or the seedlings die. Never allow to dry out. Some people cover with a bale of straw (very thin layer. Just so you can see the soil between the straws). Use Straw; not hay.

Fertilize your new lawn twice in fall (30 days apart) and once in spring. Do not fertilize during hot summer months.

Which state are you located in ? (just want to check the zone description).