When is it too late to sow Elfin Tall Fescue in NZ?
Looking to seed ETF mid April in Auckland.
I know it’s a bit late but it’s the best I can do with this weather. I have starter fertiliser and think I may as well give it a crack – is it too late or may I be alright?
You'll be fine, soil temps in Auckland mid April are still sitting in the sweet spot for ETF germination, typically 15–18°C at 10cm deep at 6am. Check the NZLA app, there's a soil temps section. Put in your location and it'll give you the daily high and low at 10cm deep.
You are approaching the tail end of the ideal window though, so a frost cloth will make a huge difference. I'm basically telling everyone sowing ETF to use one now, the results are just a night and day difference in strike. You'll typically see quicker, more even germination because you're holding a bit more warmth and moisture at the surface overnight.
Starter fert is a good call and since you're going straight tall fescue make sure you use NZLA Meso and NZLA Etho as a pre-emergent, this will stop a huge amount of broadleaf weeds (and some grass weeds) germinating but not the lawn seed