St Augustine Grass Seed
If you plan to plant St. Augustine grass, expect to pay between $0.35 to $0.75 per sq.ft. and $3 to $18 per pound. This type of grass is incredibly resistant to heat and humidity, making it a great choice for coastal locations. However, it is not best used for areas that experience heavy foot traffic.
Why Should I Overseed My Lawn
One of the main benefits of overseeding a lawn is that it revitalizes a thinning lawn without having to start from scratch and reseed the lawn. Over time, even the best lawns can begin to lose the vigor they once had. Factors such as excess traffic, too much shade, weather conditions, and disease can take a toll on your lawns appearance and cause the grass to thin. Overseeding can help to thicken those thinning areas by filling them in with new grass seed.
Overseeding also increases your lawns ability to resist weeds and disease. Thinning, worn-out lawns create ideal conditions for weeds to grow because there is plenty of space available. Overseeding is a quick and easy way to crowd out weeds by thickening the existing lawn and denying space, light, and nutrients needed for weeds to grow. Remember, the best way to keep weeds from taking over is to have a healthy, dense lawn.
Aeration And Overseeding Mistakes You Should Avoid
We all want a bright green lawn, but after a harsh summer or winter, your turf is likely a little dull, thin or patchy.
To revitalize your grass, you may consider aerating and overseeding, or creating holes in your soil to plant fresh seedlings. In fact, when done correctly, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of your turf. Unfortunately, mistakes can be all too easy to make and could cost time and money, with little return.
Be sure to avoid these seven aeration and overseeding mistakes to get the thick, healthy look you desire:
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How To Properly Overseed Your Lawn
To get the best results, apply grass seed according to the recommended rate of 2-3 lbs per 1,000 sq. feet. Seeds should be spread evenly using a broadcast spreader over the well-fertilized and moist soil. Walk in one direction across your lawn using the spreader to distribute the seeds. Once you have completed one walk across, turn in a 90-degree angle and spread the seed again as shown in the picture below.
What Type Of Grass Seed To Use In The Chicago Area
For most parts of Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, and Oswego the recommended lawn grass seed type is a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and perennial ryegrass. We have been applying a 50/50 grass seed blend which contains 50% Kentucky bluegrass and 50% mixture of fescue and rye with great results. In simple terms, you want Kentucky bluegrass to be the dominant grass type in your lawn.
In the Plainfield Naperville area, many home and property owners prefer to mix grass seed species because a diverse lawn is less affected by insects and disease. Newer grass types and species will adapt better to the changing weather conditions in the Chicago area.
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Can I Overseed With A Different Type Of Grass
Yes! Overseeding with another type of grass over your existing lawn is a good way to increase the diversity of your lawn, which will make it healthier, more resilient, and more unique. Just be sure that you are not using two very different types of seasonal grasses seeds on either side of the warm or cool spectrum will not share ideal growing conditions. However, a mild warm and mild cool seed combination can help keep your lawn thick throughout the year.
Correct Existing Lawn Problems
For troubles beyond normal thinning, test your soil and make corrections before overseeding. Follow test recommendations for using soil amendments and repairing bare lawn spots. If needed, take time to dethatch and core aerate compacted lawns so air, moisture and seed can get to the soil. Pennington One Step Complete products combine premium seed with a stabilized-release fertilizer and wood mulch to simplify lawn repairs.
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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:
White Dutch Clover Ground Cover
You can expect to pay between $20 and $32 per pound to plant White Dutch Clover. This type of lawn alternative features intricate flowers that create a thick and comfortable bedding for your space. It is highly resilient, drought-resistant, and durable, making it a great choice for heavily used areas throughout your yard. Although it is naturally pest-resistant, it makes for great grazing for deer. That means you can expect to see more wildlife on your property.
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You Aerate And Overseed During Dry Conditions
Aerating is easy on your turf, and you, when your soil is slightly moist. Overly dry and compact soil is harder to penetrate and requires more manual effort to push the machinery. Especially during times of drought when you grass is already stressed, its best to wait until the day after a good rainfall before aerating.
Broadcast Seed With A Cyclone Or Drop
This second method of overseeding is also effective, if youre unable to use a slit-seeder. Aerate several times before broadcasting seed aeration holes should be spaced not more than 2-3 inches apart. Use core-type aerating tines that remove soil plugs for better seed-to-soil contact. After overseeding, give the area a heavy watering right away to wash seed into the aeration holes and help break up the aeration cores on the surface.
One challenge with broadcast seeding is that much of the seed gets hung up in the thatch layer and does not get into the soil where it can germinate. Be sure to use grasses that have a creeping growth method to ensure even growth grass types that do not spread will grow in the aeration holes only and give the turf a clump or spotted look. Remember broadcast seeding requires more grass seed and the germination rate is not as high as with slit-seeding.
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Diy Seeding Vs Hiring A Lawn Seeding Service
Reseeding your lawn is an involved DIY project, though it is possible. Hiring a professional can increase your cost $250 to $350. The average cost for hiring a professional is around $700 including prep work, soil amendment, and everything down to the first watering. If you decide to handle this project yourself, here are some tips to help:
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Test your soil early. This will give you time to figure out how much youll need of what.
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Know your growing area so you know what kinds of grasses flourish in your region.
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Get seeds suited to what you intend to use your lawn for. If its a playground for the kids, you want a tough, hardy grass that holds up to foot traffic. If its for appearance, pick a soft, lush grass.
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Note how much shade your yard has. Some grass doesnt do well in shade some doesnt do well in blazing sunlight.
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If your lawn has just turned brown and has some patchy spots, overseeding is less costly. If large areas are damaged, you may need to reseed or have a pro remove the damaged areas and lay down sod.
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If you only have a patch or two, spot-seed only in those areas.
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Mix with damp sand a day prior. This will help it germinate faster and hold them in place in the event of wind.
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Water with a gentle spray 2-3 times per day until they germinate, then water according to your normal schedule.
Common Questions About Lawn Overseeding And Aeration
What is the purpose of overseeding your lawn? Why you should consider investing in a lawn-overseeding service
The most common reasons for overseeding a lawn is to:
- Spread new seed into your lawn in the fall before winter sets in to create a thicker lawn
- Repair areas of damage on your lawn from unusual weather events, pets, and family activities
- Provide a blanket coverage for bare patches
- Add turf variety by adding new grasses such fescue and rye, both great drought-tolerant options and lack invasive growth patterns.
Lawn reseeding is an excellent option for those who want a quick turnaround on their lawn. Just a few weeks after the service is completed, your grass will be healthier and greener than ever before. In addition, you will save time by not having to wait for months to see results from traditional yard care treatments.
What is the purpose, and what are the benefits of aerating your lawn?
Aerating the lawn is done when the soil in your yard is compacted or has thatch build-up. Aeration aims to break up these compacted zones that block air, water, and nutrients from reaching the grassroots. This will promote healthier growing conditions for your lawn, reduce weeds, and prevent insect infestations by improving root system functionality. A healthy soil ecosystem will also allow microorganisms access to plant roots they need to function properly, which can help stop plant diseases before they start.
Aeration benefits include:
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Timothy Grass Seed Price
Timothy grass seed costs between $0.40 and $0.50 per sq.ft. and $4 to $8 per pound. Timothy grass is a warm-season grass and is most commonly used for animals to graze. It features long, narrow seed heads that can be harvested for hay. This type of grass doesnt do well in excessive heat or drought-like conditions. However, it grows well in colder regions.
Create A Healthy Lawn By Starting Over
Lets get this straight right from the get-go: A healthy lawn doesnt get taken over by weeds. So if it looks like youre raising weeds instead of grass, thats a sign of a more serious problem. And that may mean killing off the grass and starting over. Its a big reseeding lawn project thatll take several weekends and may cost you up to 25¢ per sq. ft. for equipment rentals, soil conditioners and seed. If youre willing to spend more, you can lay sodinstead of planting seed, but dont skip the soil testing and remediation steps. Heres how to balance your soils pH level properly.
Are you ready for a fresh start? Just follow our guide for how to plant grass seed on an existing lawn and youll be the happiest gnomeowner on your block.
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How To Overseed A Lawn: Your Complete Guide To Thicker Greener Grass
Want the secret to growing a thicker, greener lawn? Its simple! Overseeding is the key to making sure your lawn maintains its vibrant, lush appearance. Even the healthiest grass can be reinvigorated by overseeding it with new grass seed.
As time goes on, cool-season grass plants mature, and their reproduction rates begin to slow down. This can leave your lawn looking dull and unhealthy.
Overseeding is an easy, cost-effective practice you can implement in your lawn care routine to give your existing lawn a boost in the growing seasons. Once complete, youll have a lawn with enhanced color, thickness, and improved appearance over time.
Here is your comprehensive guide, with easy step-by-step instructions on how to overseed a lawn with cool-season grass seed:
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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How To Overseed A Lawn: Common Mistakes To Avoid
Now, at this point you may be thinking, overseeding seems pretty easy, how can anyone mess it up? Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when looking to overseed your lawn:
Overseeding can seem like a daunting process. But, once you know how to do it and the things to avoid, overseeding can really help you create a beautiful, healthy lawn. This will have all your neighbors in envy.
How Much Should I Charge For Overseeding
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. Also know, how much does overseeding cost?
Reseeding or overseeding your lawn is an easy, if involved, DIY project. Hiring a professional can increase your cost $250.00 to $350.00. The average cost for hiring a professional is around $700.00 including prep work, soil amendment, and everything down to the first watering.
Similarly, is aeration overseeding worth it? Why Aeration Is Worth ItAeration loosens compacted soil. And while grass might not be able to thrive in compacted soil, weeds can. Another reason to aerate: it makes lawn treatments like fertilization and reseeding more effective.
Likewise, people ask, how much should I charge to seed a lawn?
Generally, you can expect to pay about $90-$180 per 1,000 square feet to seed a new lawn or reseeding an existing one. According to HomeAdvisor, seeding starts at about $150, but the average price ranges from $573-$853. For very large yards, the cost usually tops $1,000.
How much seed do you need to overseed 2 acres?
For colonial and creeping bentgrasses, the seeding rate is usually 1/2 to 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. Plan on requiring about 3 pounds of bluegrass seed, 10 pounds of ryegrass seed, 4 pounds of red fescue, 5 pounds of hard fescue or 8 to 10 pounds of tall fescue seed for every 1,000 square feet of turf.
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Grasses That Benefit From Overseeding
The practice of overseeding lawns is really nothing more than spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. The golf industry has been doing it since the sport began and is an important step in maintaining quality turf. Knowing how to do it correctly is the key. There is no need to invest in expensive equipment, just what is needed to do it correctly.
Not every grass type requires overseeding. The practice of overseeding lawns is primarily reserved for cool season bunch type grasses such as tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial and annual ryegrass and occasionally bluegrass. There are exceptions, but for most home lawns, grass types that spread by the production of “runners” are not generally overseeded unless it is damaged or diseased. This includes most warm season grass varieties. An exception is bermudagrass that is occasionally overseeded in the fall using a cool season variety.
Understanding Grass Growth
Diy Or Hire Professionals
There are some benefits to hiring a professional lawn service A professional lawn care company can help you make sure that overseeding is something your lawn actually needs. Since patchy, scraggly lawns can be caused by other problems, you could be wasting your time and money on overseeding. A professional lawn care service can thoroughly evaluate your lawn and come up with a more complete plan to get your lawn green and healthy.
Professional lawn service also have more advanced equipment than most homeowners. Tools like de-thatchers, power rakes, and slit seeders get the job done quickly, accurately, and more effectively than you can with a rake and a seed spreader. Ensuring that the job is done right the first time is often well worth the investment.Regardless of your approach, overseeding is an easy and effective way to give your lawn a boost and help it look great for years to come.
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Think About What You Want To Accomplish With Overseeding
Most people, when they think about overseeding, think about doing it to help out a lawn that has thinned.
However, it can be best to think about overseeding as a preventative measure. Overseeding can help prevent weeds from taking over your lawn.
No matter why youre overseeding your lawn, once you have your goals straight, then you can think about how to overseed properly.
