Our Mission - North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians.
La Extensión Cooperativa de Carolina del Norte se asocia con las comunidades para ofrecer educación y tecnología que enriquecen la vida de los habitantes, la tierra y la economía de Carolina del Norte.
Soil Sample Delivery
You can submit soil samples for no fee April through November to the NCDA&CS Agronomic laboratory. Kits are available for free in our office and at LTD Home and Garden (let us know if any where else keeps them in stock). April will deliver soil samples to the laboratory in Raleigh on September 19, October 15, and November 26. Feel free to leave your samples at the office the day PRIOR to these dates for free deliver. We are NOT responsible for any lost samples and the lab will trash any samples that aren't completed properly! Learn more about how to take a soil sample, and how to complete your paperwork online (you still need to print a copy, but I guarantee they can read that and can't promise anything with your handwriting). https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/stokes-county-livestock-forage/forage-management-resources/soil-testing-resources/
4-H & Youth Development
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Fall Turf Tips in Stokes County
By Matt Lenhardt, NC Cooperative Extension Service Stokes County
For fescue lawns, fall temperatures in mid to late September typically means it’s time to overseed with fescue seed, but keep an eye on the weather because it all depends on Mother Nature and when cooler temperatures arrive. Most established fescue lawns should be overseeded using approximately 5 – 7#s of seed per 1000 square feet. New establishment lawns should be seeded at 7 - 10# per 1000 square feet of lawn. Just before overseeding, core aerification is recommended to open up the soil to reduce compaction, increase water and oxygen to the soil, and increase the seeds contact with soil for better germination.
A soil test should be done prior to overseeding to know the soil pH for lime applications, and also how much phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) need to be added to help with new root establishment. The rule of thumb for seed starter fertilizers is to use an analysis similar to 18-24-12 at 4# per 1000 of fertilizer to get .75 # of nitrogen, 1 # of phosphorous, and .5# of potassium per 1000 square feet. However, if the soil test shows the P and K to be in the adequate to high range, then less is needed at overseed time. In fact, applying more than the recommended amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous can lead to those nutrients leaching into the soil or running off into surface water, potentially leading to impaired waterbodies.
Additionally, don’t let the new seedlings dry out, so irrigate lightly but frequently to keep new seeds/seedlings moist the first few weeks after seeding to help with germination, and then irrigate as needed after that. Hold off on mowing for several weeks after seedlings germinate to reduce the chance of damage to tender leaf blades and roots. An additional application of a balanced, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer 6 - 8 weeks later is optional, but can help with fescue growth before the winter months set in. Finally, enjoy your beautiful fescue lawn! And if you need any additional advice, call the Stokes County Extension office.