Being that it is plenty warm, it is a good time to plant grass in the lawn.  Bermudagrass makes a great lawn in our area.  Soil temperature should be above 65 degrees to germinate the seed and good root growth.  If you have an established lawn you can overseed it to make it thicker.  Use about a pound of seed per 1000 square foot.  To establish a new lawn use a pound of seed to 500 square foot.  There are several varieties to choose from.  Panam is a fairly new variety.  It’s made by Barenbrug Seed Company.  It establishes fast and is drought tolerant (after it is established well).  

To plant in spring and summer, in full sun areas on well drained soil.  The seed bed should be well prepared with 6 inches of loose soil and 1/2 inch of topsoil.  Seed can be applied with a broadcast seeder or by hand.  Don’t cover the seed with more than  1/4 inch of topsoil.  I always suggest that you mix the seed with sand or cornmeal to make a better cover.  You won’t waste as much seed this way.  

Keep the seedbed moist to enhance germination.  Under ideal conditions, germination will begin in 10 to 14 days and be complete within 3 to 4 weeks.  Apply fertilizer either when you plant or when it is established.  Use a low nitragen fertilizer such as an 8-24-24.  A watering program of frequent, light waterings should be followed for 1 to 2 weeks after planting to enhance germination.  After establishment, less frequent, deep watering is preferred.  In just a few weeks to a month you will have a beautiful green lawn of bermudagrass.  

Centipede grass can be established with seed also.  Use the same directions as the bermuda.  There is no seed available for St. Augustine grass.  The main thing is the hot summer is the watering program.  

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal.)