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.

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.

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Here are some tips for helping your lawn thrive in the shade:

Turf Management Practices

The first step is ensuring that your lawn is being properly watered, mowed, fertilized and checked for weeds. Maintaining a lawn in the shade is going to require a little more attention to detail and will be handled differently than one in greater sunlight.

Irrigation

During dry periods, it’s ideal to water deeply but intermittently. This is because shady areas don’t take quite as hard a hit from the sun and therefore will not dry out as fast. However, there are cases where root systems on trees soak up all the water and cause draught stress, so pay close attention for those signs.

Cutting and Fertilizing

You may need to adjust the height of your mower when mowing the grass in the shade versus the grass in the sunlight. Grass growing in the shade requires a larger leaf surface to encourage deeper and more extensive rooting, so the turf can better compete with the tree for water and nutrients. When it comes to fertilizing, shaded areas require less. This is because the photosynthesizing process is impeded by less sunlight, so too much fertilizer could hinder the grass’s ability to manage nutrients.

Modify the Soil

The type of soil that you have can affect the way the grass grows. Any lawn will perform better if it’s topsoil is rich in organic material. For soil that is comprised of sand or clay, try to incorporate more OM into the soil. Make sure you are aerating and providing draining for the soil—this helps with the penetration of nutrients. Also, because the air movement is reduced and surface moisture remains in the soil longer, shady areas are more prone to diseases associated with high moisture; selecting a good cultivar and managing the soil properly should reduce the risk of acquiring these diseases.

If you have any issues, you can call a grass seed specialist for assistance. They are well versed in  lawn maintenance and what it takes to help you reach your goals.

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