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How Do You Overseed Your Lawn

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Weed Control And Crabgrass Preventer

Do-it-Yourself: Lawn Overseeding

When overseeding in spring, you may experience competition from weeds that try to crowd out the new grass as it sprouts, especially crabgrass. To prevent this, apply Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus New Seeding Lawn Fertilizer on the same day you sow the grass seed. This pre-emergent herbicide prevents crabgrass and grassy weeds from germinating without injuring new grass seedlings. It contains 30% slow-release nitrogen to gently feed the new seedlings.

For additional information about overseeding your lawn in spring, visit Jonathan Green online, or ask your nearest independent retail store for expert lawn and garden advice.

Water And Keep Off The Lawn

Finally, you will want to water your lawn for about 2-3 weeks.

You will want to water your lawn at least every other day to ensure your little baby grass is able to come in properly.

Be sure to follow the best practices for watering the lawn.

For best results water in the early morning before the sun rises.

Testing Your Soil For Reseeding

Experts often advise having a sample of your garden soil tested by your local County Extension Service for a fee. Despite the costs, professional tests may end up saving you money in the long run because you can then isolate precisely what your soil needs for your lawn and garden to flourish.

Alternatively, you can conduct a visual test by simply digging down into the soil and examining the soil structure and texture. Healthy soil should provide:

  • Healthy topsoil up to a depth of at least 6 inches
  • Healthy soil should not be hard-packed clay or porous sand and gravel.

The most common cause of an ill-performing lawn is that the soil is not deep enough and will not thrive until you add healthy organic-rich soil.

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How To Aerate And Overseed Your Lawn

Want a greener lawn?

Who doesn’t?

Look, apart from regular mowing. One of the best ways to make your lawn shine is to aerate and overseed.

Why are aeration and overseeding so important?

More importantly, how do you aerate and overseed your lawn properly?

All of that and more will be answered into this go-to aeration guide.

Here is what you need to know…

Three: Watering And Maintenance

How to Overseed or Reseed Your Lawn in 2020

Watering is one of the most important aspects of successful overseeding. You need to water the seeds into your lawn immediately after spreading, and continue to water daily until the seeds germinate, which can take up to two weeks. The first watering should be a heavy watering . After that, your watering can be lighter. Once the grass has germinated, be sure to water every few days giving the grass a good deep soaking. When the grass is fully established and the same height as the existing lawn, water it according to the instructions for that type of grass. While the new grass is getting established, try to limit activity on the lawn and avoid mowing as long as possible. Once the grass is the same height as the existing lawn, you can continue to mow as you normally would.

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Take Care Of Your New Seed

Fertilizing your new seed is essential for its growth. Fertilizer delivers essential nutrients that help it to germinate and grow into the healthy lawn that you want.

All-natural fertilizer is the best option for fertilizing your new seed, as phosphorous supports rapid root growth however, there are restrictions on certain types of fertilizer, so be sure to check restrictions in your area.

My go-to method is to broadcast a thin layer of compost over my lawn after spreading the new seed.

Not only will this ensure good contact with your new lawn seed, it feeds your established grasses. Its pretty cheap to order a delivery and spread it with a wheelbarrow and shovel.

When Is The Best Time To Overseed

Hands down, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. The absolute sweet spot for most northern regions of the U.S. is August 15 to September 15. Thats when daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage growth and nights get cooler, giving new seedlings a break from the heat. Lawn grasses like that. Soil temperatures are ideal, too, resulting in quicker seed germination.

But dont let missing that perfect seeding window stop you. Depending on where you live, overseeding can be done all the way through September and into early October. Weed competition is virtually nonexistent and predictable rains fall softly with few gully washers that could wipe out your efforts in 15 minutes. All these factors create the perfect late summer/early fall window for overseeding your lawn.

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How To Overseed A Lawn For Optimum Results

If your lawn is looking patchy and thin and you might be wondering if overseeding is the solution. Today we will teach you how to overseed your lawn follow it up with some tips and pointers to give you the lush lawn youre hoping for.

Overseeding your lawn is a great way to improve the current density of your grass as well as improve the varieties of grass in your lawn. When overseeding is done right with the proper preparation you can have a full lawn within a month or so depending on the variety of grass you choose.

The Backyard Master

Return To Regular Maintenance

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. A simple weekday lawn maintenance schedule can keep your lawn lush and your weekends free.

For a simple, all-in-one approach to a thicker lawn, you can put your lawn on the fast track with Pennington Lawn Booster. This easy-to-use product simplifies overseeding to give your lawn the boost it needs. In just one application, your lawn will grow quicker, thicker and greener than ordinary grassguaranteed.

Available in formulas for sun & shade or tall fescue lawns, Lawn Booster combines three essentials: seed, fertilizer and soil enhancer. Lime-enhanced, pure-bred Pennington Smart Seed, backed by years of breeding and research, adds beauty and sustainability. Once established, these water-conserving grasses require up to 30 percent less water than ordinary grasses. That’s year after year, for the life of your lawn. Plus, they stay green up to three weeks without watering. That means less work and more leisure time for you.

For the lawn of your dreams, don’t wait to overseed until your lawn looks less than its best. Give your lawn the boost it needs, step-by-step or all-in-one. Pennington’s here with premium grass seed and lawn care products to help you keep your lawn at its peak.

Pennington, One Step Complete, Smart Seed, and Ultragreen are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

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Do You Need To Aerate Before Overseeding

It is not a must that you aerate your lawn before overseeding. However, since aeration loosens up compacted soil, improving the supply of oxygen, and provides nutrients and minerals to the new grass seed, it will improve germination and growth rates and help the grass grow thicker faster.

New grass will grow healthy and dense if the roots develop properly. It is important to make sure the soil is loose enough so that after germination, the roots can grow deeper for better water and nutrient access.

This is why aeration is important especially in lawns with soils that compact easily, such as clay soil. If you have this type of soil, it would be a great idea to aerate first before overseeding.

Taking Care Of Overseeded Grass

Youve successfully overseeded your lawn! Heres what to do next to take care of your new grass shoots.

After spreading your new grass seeds, you will want to water them immediately. Continue to water your lawn twice daily, provided you dont get any decent rain, until the seeds germinate and grow to an inch or two high. It should take about a week for them to grow.

Using fertiliser is also recommended to give your new seed the best chance to grow. You dont need to do this if using a product with a mix of grass seeds and fertiliser. You can buy packets from your local garden centre, or order a delivery if you have a larger lawn.

While your new seedlings are first growing, its important to avoid giving them any foot traffic, otherwise you might crush the new roots.

Once your new shoots grow tall enough, its time to mow them. Read our guide to mowing new grass for the first time.

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How To Overseed Or Reseed Your Lawn

There’s a secret behind achieving a beautiful, lush lawn. Landscape professionals know what it is, but many homeowners don’t. Overseedingas part of a comprehensive, proactive plankeeps lawns looking great. Whether you’re tending your first lawn or have years of experience, learning how to overseed your lawn can improve your results.

Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it’s a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normalespecially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often. Overseeding keeps your lawn competitive and steeped in youth and vigor, without starting over from scratch.

The basics of overseeding are the same everywhere, but goals and timing vary based on geography and the type of grass grown. For success with overseeding your lawn, follow this basic guide:

How Long Does It Take Grass Seed To Germinate And Grow

How To Overseed a Lawn For Optimum Results

Grass seed can take from 5-30 days to germinate and this depends on several factors which include

  • The type of grass seed you choose
  • How much moisture and warmth is in the soil
  • The weather in general, and
  • How fertile the ground is

That said, most people should see germination within a couple of weeks.

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How To Spread Grass Seeds On Your Lawn

When spreading new grass seeds, you want to ensure an even spread, unless youre just targeting bare patches.

You dont have to be perfectly even though. As long as you have a good spreading technique, you can do it by hand.

However, grass seed spreaders do make the job a lot easier, especially for larger gardens. Theyre recommended if youre overseeding your entire lawn, because they make it much easier to ensure an even spread over large areas.

In terms of seed quantity, there should be instructions on the packet, as it depends on the type of grass seed. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that there is at least one seed pellet every two square inches.

Can I Just Throw Grass Seed On My Lawn

Yes, you can just throw grass seeds on your lawn to fix bare patches. As long as you can ensure an even spread when scattering seeds by hand, you will be fine.

However, you will have better results if you do some preparation first, such as mowing, aerating, and spreading a thin layer compost over your lawn. Doing these steps will give your seeds the best chance of growing.

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Spread The New Grass Seed

Now its time to spread the seed.

Spread it at the specified rate which, for overseeding, is typically 25g per square meter . So if your lawn is 100 square meters, youll need 2.5kg of seed.

If Youre Doing it By Hand

Split the grass seed into two equal lots and work in different directions for each lot.

For example, the first lot you might seed from north to south or from left to right, depending on how you look at your garden.

Then spread the second lot in the opposite direction. So from south to north or from right to left.

This will ensure a more even distribution.

If Youre Using a Spreader

Try using a smaller than recommended setting on your spreader. So 1/2 to 1/3 open instead of all the way.

This will probably mean more trips up and down the lawn but it will prevent you from running out of grass seed before youve finished.

How To Overseed A Lawn Without Aerating

How To OVERSEED Your Lawn in SPRING // Complete Step by Step Guide

Overseeding the one activity we do a lot in the fall to fill in the bare spots and choke out weeds. The standard procedure usually starts with aerating and probably dethatching, but when you dont want to do these, how do you overseed a lawn without aerating?

To overseed a lawn without aerating, start by mowing it lower than 2 inches and follow it up with raking to remove debris and loosen up the topsoil. Spread the grass seed and then rake over it gently. Fertilize with a starter fertilizer and then water the lawn lightly until the grass grows to a good mowing height.

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Water The New Grass Seed

The ground needs to be consistently moist for the grass seed to germinate. Continue watering lightly, so the soil does not become hard or baked. How often to water grass seed depends on the weather. On hot and windy days youll need to water several times a day. If you are keeping the ground consistently moist, you should see baby grass popping up in 7-10 days. If you do not see any germination in that timeframe, you may not be watering often enough so, increase your watering frequency.

Revive Your Lawn By Overseeding

Is your lawn looking thin and brown? Well, Scotts can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted and all you need to do is overseed. If you put down a layer of seed over your lawn in the spring or fall, the thin areas will thicken up, and your lawn will start to look terrific again.

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How Long Does It Take Before You Mow The Overseeded Lawn

After you have overseeded your lawn, wait before you start to mow to prevent any stress caused on newly sprouted. This is because if you water your grass a lot, cutting it very soon before the roots have settled can easily tear up new grass.

Mowing the lawn when it is wet from heavy watering can also lead to lawn diseases like brown patches or fungus and prevent the growth of the overseeded lawn. When to cut after overseeding depends on the type of lawn. If it is perennial ryegrass, it is best to mow after 10 to 14 days, as this type of grass grows much faster than many species.

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About Aeration And Overseeding

How To Overseed Lawn Without Aerating

Aeration is the process of de-compacting the soil in your yard by cutting small holes into it. These holes allow oxygen, water, and fertilizer to reach your grasss roots, which strengthens your grass. Overseeding is a process for improving your yard by adding fresh grass seed to your existing lawn to thicken and revitalize your turfgrass. While these are two separate techniques for improving your yard and lawn, when combined into a single weekend project, these two tasks work in harmony and can help improve the health of your grass for the next several years. The holes created by aeration allow grass seed and starter fertilizer to achieve better soil contact, which improves results.

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Protect Your Vulnerable Seedlings

People, pets, and other traffic can disturb your seeds growth, so you should ensure the seeds are safe until they have established themselves. Birds are also a menace and will quickly devour exposed seeds if given a gap. While your seeds are vulnerable, many experts suggest covering your overseeding patch with an all-purpose garden fabric you may find in nurseries and garden supply outlets.

Lay the fabric over your seeds, and the material offers protection from both birds and the elements. Be aware that these fabrics may harm your seeds in hot weather and are more suited to cooler weather.

Choosing The Right Seed

Before overseeding a lawn, it is important to choose a seed that is compatible with your grass. You should try to use a seed that is the same as your grass. For example, if you have turf-type tall fescue, then use turf-type tall fescue seed or a blend of turf-type tall fescue seed and Kentucky bluegrass seed. Be careful about using bargain store seed brands for overseeding lawns. Bargain seed is often poor quality and can contain multiple undesirable varieties.

Overseeding Fescue Lawns

Fescue Rule: An important rule is if you have a turf-type tall fescue lawn, do not overseed with a coarse type tall fescue seed. Coarse fescue varieties, such as Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue or Alta are much larger plants having wider blades that were originally designed as pasture grass. They are often sold as lawn grass seed to those who do not know the difference. Stick with turf-type tall fescue if that is what you already have.

It is okay to combine bluegrass seed with turf-type tall fescue seed. Many professional seed blends use both because blades are similar in size and appearance and bluegrass spreads filling in gaps. However, the popular Kentucky bluegrass seed found in many seed bags is from an older variety of bluegrass that cant take routine fertilization. It becomes very disease prone under high maintenance. If you fertilize regularly, ask to be sure it is an improved variety that can handle fertilization.

Important Note on Turf-Type Tall Fescue

Overseeding Lawns with Bluegrass Seed

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Start With The Right Seeds

One of the most vital things you can do to improve your lawn is to grow the right grass type for your location and conditions. With the Sunday line of pro quality grass seeds, you can choose the best type for your lawn.

Sunday Grass Seed is available for purchase at any time. You can purchase seed on its own, include in a plan bundle option, or add to your lawn plan at any time.

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