One Billion Gallons

Pick Your Seeding Window

There are two reliable windows for seeding a MicroLawn blend along the Front Range:

• Spring: April 15 to May 1, ideally around April 20. Soil temperatures reach the 50 to 60°F range fine fescue and microclover need to germinate, the risk of a hard freeze has mostly passed, and roots get 6 to 8 weeks to anchor before summer heat arrives.
• Late Summer: August 20 to 25. This is the window used for the original project and works especially well for parkway strips and touch-up seeding.

Getting Started Summary

• Mow very low to stress grass and weeds.
• Dethatch.
• Scarify to cut slightly into the soil.
• Broadcast the seed.
• Water daily until seedlings establish (about three weeks).

The Process

1. Mow Low First

   Mow the area as low as your mower will safely allow to stress and weaken existing grass and weeds before you begin prepping the soil.

2. Prep the Soil

   Dethatch to remove the layer of dead grass and debris sitting on top of the soil — it acts like an umbrella and keeps seed from ever reaching dirt. Aerate compacted areas, especially parkways and high-traffic zones, with a hand aerator or pitchfork.

3. Scarify for Better Seed Contact

   A scarifier (rigid steel blade cylinder) is different from a spring-tine dethatcher: it slices thin grooves about 1/8 to 1/4 inch into the topsoil, cutting through dead matting and creating channels where seed can lock in and germinate. This is especially valuable on compacted parkway soil.

4. Broadcast the Seed

   Spread seed at the label's recommended rate, increasing it by 15 to 20% on tough, compacted, or parkway soil, or if your seed is past its official sell-by date. Rake lightly to bury seed about 1/8 inch deep. In hot spots like parkways, add a thin (about 1/8 inch) topdress of compost or peat moss to shield seed from radiant heat.

5. Water for Establishment

   Keep the top layer of soil consistently moist with light, frequent watering during germination. Once established, taper down to a deep watering just twice a week.
   Note: Some municipalities offer a temporary daily watering allowance for new seed, check with your city or county Public Works department. This is an example form for the City and County of Broomfield Drought Actions: online water exemption form

6. Respect Tree Collars & HOA Compliance

   Keep seed and mulch 3 to 4 inches away from tree trunks and root flares to maintain healthy air circulation and stay compliant with most HOA landscaping rules.

Ongoing Maintenance

• Mow only occasionally — about twice a year is enough once the lawn is established.
• No supplemental fertilizer needed; the microclover component fixes its own nitrogen.
• Expect 12 to 18 months for full takeover of any older, established grass clumps. In a hurry, hand-dig and reseed the center of a clump, or spot-treat it with a targeted herbicide instead of waiting.

Budget & Timeline At a Glance