Lawn Tips and Advice: Overseeding

For those of you who are looking to improve your lawn’s appeal, seeding may be the way to go. While this concept has been around for years, it is still new to many homeowners. For that very reason, we have included some tips and advice on creating a beautiful lawn through a process called “overseeding”.

The Perfect Time to Overseed Grass

Although most people consider summer to be the best time to work on their lawn, when it comes to growing new grass seeds, late August and September provide the best conditions. This is due to the fact that, while daytime temps are declining, the soil still retains its warmth and it is the warm soil that helps seeds germinate faster. During these months, rain is also more plentiful and the cooler temperatures reduce insect infestation and disease.  Not to mention, weeds don’t germinate during cooler fall days, so it won’t attack your new grass.

How to Overseed Your Lawn

Before you begin to overseed, mow your lawn to about 1-1/2 inches so that sunlight is able to reach your grass seeds more easily—remove all grass clippings. If you tend to have very dry soil, make sure to water it a day or two before you try to overseed. Once the lawn is ready, follow these steps:

  1. Loosen the soil: based on the compactness of your soil, you can use one of the following: roto-tilling, aerating or heavy raking to loosen it up.
  2. Determine the soil’s PH: the ideal pH level is between 6.0 and 6.8.
  3. Spread the seeds: make sure this is done evenly in the amount specified on the seed packaging. This will be based on the size of your lawn. Make sure they come into direct contact with the soil, otherwise they won’t germinate.
  4. Apply Fertilizer: this helps your grass seedlings develop strong roots and mature stems before rapid growth begins.
  5. Water the lawn: this must be done immediately after overseeding to ensure proper germination. You should water the lawn 3 to 4 times a day for the first several weeks.
  6. Mow the lawn: once the grass reaches roughly 3 inches, you can mow it again.
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While it may seem complicated, overseeding can be quite easy and its inexpensiveness is a major plus. Over the years, you will be rewarded with an easier to maintain lawn that is both healthy and beautiful.  If you want a gorgeous looking lawn all year long, don’t delay –– new grass roots need time to establish before frost, so be sure to get everything situated before mid-October for best results. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call a professional grass seed expert for assistance.