Whether you are sowing seed for a new lawn or seeding an existing lawn, the application of lime is recommended in many areas of the U.S. I would recommend considering applying nematodes preemptively in the first summer following seeding. What Is the Suitable Time of Overseeding on Your Lawn? Jonathan Green has been working for more than 100 years to bring beautiful dark-green lawns to our clients using only the highest quality materials. Water is an important factor in successful seeding, and the step that usually takes the most work. You really get what you pay for. Be careful when using fine fescue grass seed. 1 of 2 Go to page. Loose soil also allows grass seeds and seedlings to be anchored and more resistant to wind and water dislocation. Overseeding is a great way to repair damage and thicken thin areas before winter sets in. They need watering, but should not be over watered, as this may result in shallow rooting and poor establishment. Mowing short before overseeding prevents weeds and established grass from competing with new seedlings. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Overseeding also helps new grass retain its green colour longer in the drier months. This is to allow the new seed to make better contact with the soil for faster germination. Check the pH first before adding lime to the soil. Next, spread a thin layer of compost and fertilizer over your lawn, and scatter the new seed over it with a spreader. Easy-to-understand steps gave me confidence without being overwhelming. unlocking this expert answer. Lawn … First have the area aerated and thatched. Let's say I have a friend named Bob. Your new lawn may be anything but humorous if improper fertilization burns the grass or worse kills the roots. Keep in mind that a newly seeded lawn will need one full growing season before it’s mature and well-established. However, seeds that fall into aeration holes will not germinate well, if at all. Too much nitrogen can burn the new germination and seedlings. Grass seed grows and germinates best when daytime temperatures are around 50°F (10°C). Air temperature must typically be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15-26 degrees Celsius). The rhizomes sprout at various points along the stem producing a new plant identical to the mother plant. Too much seed can be as detrimental as under-seeding. How to Overseed Your Lawn . Keep your newly revived lawn looking its best with a regular, comprehensive maintenance plan that includes diligent watering, best mowing practices and proactive overseeding. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. Also, diseases that attack seedlings are less active. Jeremy Yamaguchi. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Once you've prepared the lawn, spread the grass seeds evenly over it and lightly rake the seeds into the soil. How to Fertilize Your Lawn Effectively and Responsibly, Quick Fixes For the 11 Most Common Lawn Problems, Ryobi Blower Review – The Tool I Use Almost Everyday. Variety: Every common grass, should have a variety name. 2. … But what are the opinions of the prestigious members of this board on overseeding a newly seeded lawn. Overseeding your lawn is when you plant new grass seed over existing grass or turf. reduce the risk of overtaking weeds New Lawn Packages If you’re seeding from scratch, and don’t have the time to research everything you need for the perfect family lawn, then look no further, because we have the ultimate Complete Lawn Seeding Package. Make sure that no weed control or weed prevention chemical has been used in the area, as those products will also prevent or inhibit germination. Check out all of my recommended seeding gear here! Apply a thin layer of organic matter and then fertilize and water like you would for a newly seeded lawn. Lawns from seed should be left un-used until their first mowing. Peat moss also provides a number of residual benefits to your lawn, such as the improvement of aeration. But with St. Augustine, if it's not dead, Scott's fertilizer products might help, along with plenty of water. You don’t keep your lawn moist after aerating and overseeding. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Apply the new seed with a fertilizer spreader, following the product's recommended coverage rate. Sow lawn grass seed in the fall, especially when over-seeding an existing lawn. over-seeding to thicken up an existing lawn or you . Should Bob reseed these areas ASAP or dormant … “Overseeding” the lawn, which involves adding new seed to an existing lawn, helps thicken the lawn to eliminate the spaces where weeds can take hold. As happened to me, often by the time you realize you have an infestation, the damage has been done. If overseeding a lawn where you have established grass, be sure to keep the seed moist by watering lightly twice a day. In contrast, when laying sod, you can irrigate less often but a good soaking is needed. The first thing to do when overseeding without aerating is to mow the grass. That’s primarily because it’s almost impossible to keep new seed moist in the summer without nearly constant watering. But next spring could be a whole other story if you seed this fall - the perfect time to start a new lawn. This may require that you give the seeded areas a light watering two to three times a day for the first few weeks. Rake the area before seeding to agitate the soil and ensure it is free of debris. Results can also be improved by combining Overseeding with a Top Dressing service. The seed will germinate quickly in the still-warm soil, the young grass will thrive in the rapidly cooling air, and be up and growing before the first leaves fall. Allowing the soil to dry out even for an hour during the critical germination phase can result in seedling death. Turf consists of pre-grown grass plants matted together as a roll. And that’s with Southern exposure. Areas that are starting out as thin or bare are at greater risk of the seed being disturbed because there is not a thick stand of adult turf holding the seed in place. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I don't want ugly, thick grass coming in from new seeds when I have beautiful St. Augustine grass that I bought in a sod. Sometimes seeding in the Spring is unavoidable. Lawn Care Specialist. The degree of risk to a newly seeded lawn that rain can pose doesn’t just depend on how heavy the rain is, but also the state of the lawn in question when overseeding before rain. Once this is done, and your seed is applied, I recommend applying a thin layer of peat moss to the soil to very slightly cover the seed and help in retaining moisture. Mow the lawn shorter than usual. Most lawn grasses prefer full sun (around 6 hrs per day) and don’t do well in shade. Excess clippings left on the lawn, also called thatch, can prevent seed from reaching the soil and germinating. During this period it is much more vulnerable to pests, weeds, and diseases. Follow the recommended seeding rate (as listed on the bag of grass seed) to apply the seed with a seed spreader. Overseeding can be time-consuming if you have a large lawn, but it is not difficult, and the results are well worth it the effort. As the grass grows, allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Thanks! Southern seed types (bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, bahiagrass, etc) need soil temperatures of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), with air temperatures in the 80’s or higher (21 degrees Celsius or above). I usually have a few spots that need touching up every spring. Early spring and early fall are the two best times to overseed a lawn. If no variety name is listed, it’s a lower quality seed. Overseed your lawn to keep it healthy, repair damage or fill in bare spots. Eliminate all the clippings from the lawn so that the lawn can get sunlight and water. In the backyard, I have two areas, one … "This article helped me overseed in a step-by-step manner (I am a scatter-brain) to ensure my Kentucky Bluegrass, "Great for detail and illustrations. Spread 1/4 of the seed over the entire lawn area. You can overseed at other times of the year. When using a vericutter, make two to three passes in different directions to create a cross-hatch pattern for better coverage. If the thatch layer is 3/4 inch or more, it is usually easiest to use a sod cutter to remove it and start over with a new lawn. Then water once a day. Overseeding an existing lawn. It’s a good idea to keep your lawn moist after you overseed, but don’t drown it either. By the time I realized, a large amount of damage had already been done, since the grubs eat the roots. It cannot survive in full sun except in places with year around cool climates. Follow these simple steps and you’ll never dread seeding again! Go. Topsoil first, then seed. The experts all agree that regular overseeding is vital to help thicken your lawn and fill in bare spots, which reduces or eliminates competition from weeds. This very thin layer should include an enriched soil that nourishes your existing soil and provides a positive growing environment for new seed. 21 January 2020. In order to keep the seeds hydrated so they can grow to their full potential, the patch will mostly likely need to be watered daily, or whenever EZ Seed® begins to turn light brown. Make sure you choose a variety of seed that blends nicely with your existing lawn. Bermuda grass might be great, but it probably doesn't blend all that nicely with Fine Fescues. How Long to Water New Grass Seed. It may take two to three weeks, depending on the seed type. The birds and other animals digging up the grubs just made the situation worse. Rake the soil lightly to cover the seed with a thin layer of … Although roto-tilling is common practice when seeding a new lawn, it is also helpful for overseeding. newly seeded lawn about two times. The most obvious reason to overseed is to improve the look of your lawn. Seeding a new lawn means preparing the soil, levelling the lawn and then sowing fresh grass seed. Consider renting a slice seeder if you’re over-seeding a large area. See my article on irrigation. so i put the seed down.my mower is gonna blow the seeds all over. A pre-seeding fertiliser is ideal and can be applied up to a few days before … If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. In cold-weather climates, fall's cooler temperatures prevent the seeds from drying out, but there's still enough sun and rain to help them germinate before going into hibernation for the winter, without the competition of crabgrass and other weeds that die off this time of year. Seed can be stored until conditions are ideal, whereas turves may deteriorate if they are not laid within 24 hours of delivery. Follow these steps to properly overseed your thin lawn areas: Loosen the soil within existing lawn with stiff-tined leaf or garden rake. Spread the compost out evenly over the entire surface of the lawn with a rake, preferably a thatch rake. Overseeding is the process of applying grass seed over an existing lawn. Large areas can benefit from the use of a quality rectangular sprinkler. A thinner, higher canopy will allow more light and rain to reach your grass, and go a long way towards helping your grass grow. In conclusion, overseeding is a vital lawn practice to maintaining a thick, healthy lawn. Results can also be improved by combining Overseeding with a Top Dressing service. This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. A common mistake rookie aerators and overseeders make is thinking that the natural rain cycle will provide all the water you need, but a few days without moisture could mean bad news for a new seed. You should try to use a seed that is as similar as possible to your existing grass. Is it necessary to add a starter base to reseed a lawn? Rake gently. The other problem with summer planting is that the soil prep work opens up the area to weed seeds, which readily germinate in the heat. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. Newly seeded lawns need to be watered daily to keep seeded areas moist. Can I carry out the reseeding process into the fall if the days are still relatively warm? Choose a Grass Seed Should I use starter fertilizer when reseeding? ", "Very good information for us non-professionals to understand how to overseed our lawns, thank you very much. After preparing the areas of the lawn by mowing and raking, it is the right time to do the needful steps accordingly. Next Last. Choose the right time of year to overseed. Told me what to do after de-thatching my lawn. At this stage you should water less frequently, but a little deeper. The term “overseed” may sound technical and even intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the process, but it’s really a simple gardening concept: Overseeding is simply the process of planting new grass seed over your existing grass in order to create a revived, newly green and beautiful lawn that is lush and healthy. The most popular seed type is Kentucky Bluegrass seed. This is a must for maximum results. Newly laid lawns can be fed like established lawns. You don't have to break up your lawn or soil. You can find soil that is made specifically for this purpose, which includes extra fertilizer and other ingredients to make it easier for … Go over the top of your soil lightly with a thatch rake. The soil is warm, but daytime temperatures are moderate, making watering less of a problem, and the weeds are less likely to grow. To do that, the first step is to mow the lawn. This will help them germinate. In this case, keep a close eye on the soil and air temperatures before getting … You want to mow the lawn at the recommended height to stimulate … Put a light layer of topdressing over the seeds. ", "Very helpful review with tips to go along with the details.". This is an important fertilizer to take note of and avoid when planting new grass seed because most of these will also prevent your grass seed from germinating! That’s necessary because all the watering you do to make the seedlings grow actually pushes the first application of fertilizer out of the top layer of soil, putting it beyond the reach of the young roots. A good guideline is to keep the top quarter inch or so moist. Since it’ comprised of organic material it also adds nutrients to your lawn’s soil. (Check the instructions on the product for this.) If the grass hasn’t fully grown in there’s a good chance that you’ll have more weeds than normal since the ground has been cultivated and made ideal for germination. There are not many places like that in the U.S. For this reason it is marketed and sold as a shade grass. After that, you will still need to keep the seedlings watered on a regular basis. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others. With spring-sown lawns this means not until the following spring as their effectiveness diminishes rapidly with the onset of cooler conditions in early autumn. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 674,513 times. He seeded 10 days ago. Research shows that if seed is laid on top of old grass, you will have about a 2% germination rate. Normally we want 1/4 inch of thatch or less when overseeding. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. This process is called "dethatching." New lawns require special care during the establishment period. Germination will not take place if overnight temperatures create heavy frost. The transformation was amazing. You can buy a kit and perform the test yourself, according to direction on the labeling. Leave your newly seeded lawn for at least two weeks, and longer if possible, before you attempt to mow it. I recommend applying a starter fertilizer when you sow the seeds, and then add more fertilizer three to four weeks later. Choose the area you wish to plant from the products below. Seeding is less expensive than turfing. Using a vericutter, also known as an over-seeder, also helps loosen the soil by creating vertical grooves that also increase seed to soil contact. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. In the beginning, it helps for the seeds to be moist or damp almost around the clock. This will prep it for the seed. Mow Low. Advice on when to overseed a newly seeded lawn. To learn more from our Professional Landscaper co-author, like how to check the pH of your soil before seeding it, keep reading the article! Trying to correct a yard full of deep footprints is not a chore you want to attempt. It is certainly frustrating to go through all the work and expense of seeding an area, only to have the results be less than satisfactory. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there's plenty of sunlight. In this case, keep a close eye on the soil and air temperatures before getting started. Overseeding with new grass seed will help the lawn to recover from these treatments as quickly as possible. A water timer can simplify the process of when to water grass seeds, so you can easily and efficiently water your newly seeded lawn with no hassle at all. When to Lime the Lawn If New Grass Seed is Planted. Return to Regular Maintenance. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Overseed-a-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Overseed-a-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Overseed-a-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1383425-v4-728px-Overseed-a-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"