How to Overseed a Lawn

Lawn maintenance is an important part of exterior home care. A lush, green lawn will add beauty and value. Your grass can become dull and brittle no matter how long you spend in it. You can learn everything you need from landscape professionals about how to oversee a lawn.

What is overseeding, and how can it be used?

Overseeding involves seeding on top of an existing lawn. As your lawn ages, the rate at which new grass blades are produced slows down. This can lead to weeds taking over. Two main reasons you should oversee your lawn are:

• The lawn has become patchy, thin, and brown.
• Warm-season grass may go dormant in winter and will be replaced with cool-season seeds for year-round growth.

When is the best time for overseeding lawns?

The type of seeds that you are planting determines when to overseed the lawn. In northern climates, overseeding should take place 45 days prior to the first frost. This is ideal to strengthen a thin lawn. The best time to strengthen your turf is after the threat of all freezing has passed.

For winter color to be achieved, residents who live in areas with warm-season lawns should ensure that the temperatures do not drop below 65° at night. Preparation is key to germination.

How to Overseed a Lawn

You'll need:

• Grass seed
• Enriched soil
• Lawnmower
• Rake
• Seed spreader
• Sprinkler

Step 1: Mow and then rake

Begin the overseeding process by mowing your lawn on a low setting and bagging any clippings. Next, rake your lawn in order to remove any debris or loose grass.

Step 2: Amend the soil

You can add a thin layer, no more than one-quarter inch, of enriched soil on top of the existing grass. Then gently rake it in. This will create a healthy environment that the new seeds can settle into.

Step 3: Add the seeds

Fill the seed spreading container with seeds. Adjust the settings according to the label. Apply the seed to the entire area. You can use a hand spreader for small areas. A drop or broadcast spreader works well on larger lawns.

Step 4: Feeding the Grass

Use a fertilizer suitable for new grass, with a concentration that supports root growth and which contains nitrogen for increased top growth.

Step 5: Water the Lawn

You should water your lawn once or twice per day to ensure that the soil and seeds remain moist. This will allow the grass to reach the height of its old counterpart. Water your lawn as necessary to keep it hydrated and to maintain a healthy root system. Keep the grass mowed until the grass is full and the blades are at minimum one inch in height.

You need to water your lawn well. However, once it is established and growing, you can take steps to reduce your water consumption. We can assist you with all your lawn and garden care needs, residential or commercial, including overseeding.