How To Reseed Your Lawn This Fall
However, you can take steps now to freshen up your lawn for next spring. Although you can reseed your lawn at any time during the growing season, fall offers the unbeatable combination of warm soil and cooler air temperatures. When you reseed your lawn in the fall, you also give it the most amount of time to become well established before next summers heat and activities.
Reseeding your lawn is a relatively easy process, but it does involve more than just scattering some seed. Here are five steps to follow.
Give Your New Lawn Continued Tlc
Once your new lawn reaches mowing height, go ahead and cut it at the highest setting ideal for your grass type . Remember, only remove the top 1/3 of the grass blades. After the first mowing, cut back on watering to twice a week, applying about ½ inch of water each time. Six to eight weeks after planting, you can start fertilizing your new grass regularly with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food to keep it thick and green.
Now, the next time the lawn guy comes to your neighborhood, you can rest easy knowing your mailbox will be flyer-free. The best part? You did it yourself!
For Overseeding Preparation Is Key
When you begin to overseed your lawn, you have to prepare the area. To prepare your lawn for overseeding:
- Mow your lawn shorter than you normally would.
- Remove all of the clippings .
- Loosen the turf with a rake.
Mow your lawn shorter than usual to improve the percentage of seed that contacts the soil.
Youll also want to delay mowing your new grass after overseeding. Mowing your lawn close will buy you some extra time before you have to mow. Mowing too early can rip your new grass out because it wont have strong enough roots.
For normal mowing I recommend mowing 1/3 of the grass length. When overseeding, get closer to 2/3 of the grass length cut and raked.
After mowing and bagging your clippings,, rake over the area to remove all excess clippings and debris and to begin to turn over the soil, so it is ready to receive the new seed.
Raking is a good way to loosen the soil in your lawn so your grass seed has good contact. Without good soil contact, your seed wont germinate and grow.
I go over my lawn with an iron rake to loosen the turf.
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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.
Thicken Your Lawn By Overseeding
Mow low. Before overseeding, you’ll want to cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating.
Choose the right seeding product. Which type of grass seed you choose depends on your existing grass type. If your lawn consists of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, or perennial ryegrass, choose a product specially designed for overseeding thin lawns, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Quick + Thick Grass Seed Sun – Shade 12-0-0, which combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into an easy-to-use product you apply with a spreader. If you have a different grass type or are unsure of the best grass for your area, the people at your neighborhood garden center can help you choose the right Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed All Purpose Mix for your lawn.
Amend the soil. If you’re using grass seed to overseed your lawn instead of an overseeding product like Scotts® Turf Builder® Quick + Thick Grass Seed Sun – Shade 12-0-0, it’s a good idea to rake in a thin layer of enriched soil over your lawn to help the seed settle in. Don’t put so much down that you kill your existing grass less than a quarter of an inch is plenty. Scotts® Enriched LawnSoilTM 0.08 – 0.03 – 0.02 works well for this purpose.
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How To Overseed A Lawn
This article was co-authored by Keith Souza. Keith Souza is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Vaulted Hammer Handyman Services. He specializes in home repair, home automation, and yard maintenance. Keith holds an AAS in Electronics Technology from Heald College.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 718,311 times.
Overseeding is one of the most important tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. While fertilizing your lawn is important, grass plants slow down their rates of reproduction after a few years. Over time, lawns that have not been overseeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn. 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.
Pro Tips For Overseeding
- Select the best seeds for your lawn. The quality and type of seed you choose are crucial for the overseeding process. You can buy the same type of seed as your current lawn, or choose a couple of different options that go together nicely.
- If your lawn has not been fed for some time, use pre-seeding fertilizer up to a few days before overseeding. This will contribute to the overall result.
- Apply topdressing this is not a must-do. However, topdressing along with the overseeding will provide your lawn with much-needed nutrients for the new grass, so we highly recommend this. You simply need to apply a very thin layer of dressing to your existing lawn and use a rake to spread it around evenly. In case of doubts, you can review this article for more details.
- Aerating essentially this is the process of perforating the soil with small holes by forking the lawn or removing small plugs of thatch. Aerating will help reduce soil compaction and allow vital resources to go deep into the roots, ultimately improving the quality of the soil.
- Make sure you dont overdo it. Apply only the needed amount of seed. We already mentioned a few times that if youre not certain how much to use, you can follow the instructions on the seed packaging.
- Minimise the traffic on the newly overseeded lawn for about 7 to 21 days.
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Its Time To Spread The Seed
Once you have prepared the area by mowing the grass, raking, and choosing your seed, it is time to spread the seed. Be sure to check the seed label to know the rate of overseeding.
Using a lawn spreader, available at most home improvement and gardening stores, spread the seed around your lawn.
Spreading the seed is a pretty self-explanatory process however, it is important to do it when the air is calm. Do NOT try to spread the seed on a windy day, as you will ultimately miss your lawn and waste your seed. Likewise, working when the air is calm ensures even distribution of the seed.
Kill Existing Grass And Weeds
The easiest and fastest way to do this is to use a weed killer such as Ortho® GroundClear® Super Weed & Grass Killer, making sure to follow all package instructions carefully. Put on protective clothing, apply it on a dry, wind-free day, and wait the recommended amount of time before planting new seed.
Got time to spare? If so, another option is to harness the power of the summer sun. Mow the grass as low as you can, soak it with a sprinkler, then cover it completely with clear plastic sheeting. Overlap the edges so grass cant grow up in between the rows. Hold the plastic down with bricks or heavy stones, then sit back and let the sun do its work. The heat and moisture will destroy your existing lawn in about 6 to 8 weeks, leaving the soil ready for reseeding.
You can avoid all the plastic by covering your lawn with 7 to 10 layers of overlapping newspaper, instead. Wet it down, then cover that with 5 to 7 inches of mulch, grass clippings, or compost. Without access to sunlight, the grass and weeds will wither and die, and in about 6 to 8 weeks, your soil will be ready for its makeover. Bonus: As the newspaper and other materials decompose, theyll add valuable nutrients to the soil.
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Choosing The Type Of Grass Seed
This is one of the first and most important steps to reseeding your lawn. You have to select the highest-quality seed to ensure your lawn is free from any weeds or unnecessary grass species. One of the best types of grass seed is the tall fescue. It is desirable because it suits the kind of lawns in the mid-Atlantic area.
This is because this specific area is often termed the transition zone. Bluegrass cannot tolerate hot summers because the area is too far in the south for any northern grasses. Similarly, southern grasses are also not recommended because they are unable to bear the cold winters. Due to all these reasons, we recommend tall fescue and other similar type of grass seeds for your lawns.
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.
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When To Overseed Warm
Warm-season grasses grow most actively in the heat of late spring and summer, and they thrive in the southern half of the country. Common warm-season grasses include Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and St. Augustinegrass.
If youre overseeding your warm-season lawn with warm-season grass seeds, plant them in late spring or early summer, when the soil temperature is between 70 and 90 degrees.
But theres another option for overseeding warm-season grass. Many homeowners choose to add cool-season ryegrass to their lawns in fall so their lawn remains green throughout winter. If youre planting ryegrass seeds, overseed in fall, when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees.
In the extreme South, you should use annual ryegrass for winter color. It will die out in June when the temperatures start to rise.
If you live in a milder climate in the middle of the country, you can plant perennial ryegrass, which will survive and go dormant during summer and green up again next fall. That way, you dont have to keep overseeding every fall. Dont bother planting perennial ryegrass in the extreme South, though it will die in the heat just the same as the annual variety.
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:
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S For Reseeding Your Lawn
Your refreshed lawn will need a little bit of extra TLC in its first growing season, and with everyone social distancing right now, this is the perfect chance to get that lush lawn youve always dreamed of!
Solve Existing Lawn Problems
Lawns can be a great addition to any home, but only if they are appropriately taken care of. One common issue with their lawn is that the grass is not thick or healthy-looking. This may be due to several factors, such as problems with the soil, pests or diseases, or incorrect watering habits. To correct this problem and overseed or reseed your lawn, you will need to closely look at what is causing it.
If the grass is thin or patchy, it may be due to a lack of nutrients in the soil. In this case, you can add some organic matter or fertilizer to help improve the quality of the soil. Be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully to not damage your lawn further.
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Choose The Seeds You Like For Your Lawn
For this stage, youll need to make your choice of grass seed. Depending on where you live and what kind of grass youd like to have in your yard, thats the one you go for.
Do note that the mixture you buy should be well-suited for your environment. This will depend on the type of soil and weather you have.
Once youve decided on the type you want, you can purchase the grass seed mixture. If at any point youre not sure of what to select, dont hesitate to ask the garden center. They always have an expert around ready to help customers make decisions.
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.
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Soil Amendments Add A Layer Of Topsoil And Mix In Fertilizer Water It Well
After you have removed the dead lawn grass, then you will need to add a layer of topsoil. This should be around an inch or so deep. This will help provide the new seeds with nutrients that they might not get otherwise. You will also want to mix in some fertilizer at this time before watering everything well until it is moist. This will help the seeds get deep down into the soil and ensure that they have everything that they need to take root and grow.
How Much Does It Cost To Reseed A Lawn
Reseeding a lawn is a great way to breathe new life into dead grass from years of foot traffic. Bare spots in your lawn can come from anywhere: from dogs running through your sprinkler system or kids playing football on your turf. If youve recently moved, you may need seed to care for your new lawn. Reseeding can make a drastic difference in your lawns appearance, but what is the average cost you can expect to pay?
The This Old House Reviews Team has researched the best lawn care services in the United States for this cost guide, including each providers reseeding services and pricing. Use this guide to learn the cost to reseed a lawn, plan your seeding project, and avoid unexpected expenses.
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Why You Should Overseed Your Lawn
Overseeding has many substantial benefits for your lawn, with no downsides if you do it correctly.
Benefits of overseeding:
- Fills in thin and bare patches
- Makes grass grow thicker
- Makes the lawn hardier and more tolerant of drought, heat, diseases, pests, and other issues
- Helps turfgrass crowd out weeds
- Keeps your lawn green through winter
