When Should I Reseed My Lawn

October 23, 2021

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Diy Or Hire Professionals

Are You Prepared To Reseed Your Lawn?

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.

How To Choose The Ideal Mower

Choosing the right lawn mower for the job provides a smooth, clean cut, and makes the most of your mowing time. Choose from these common lawn mower types:

Manual reel mower Environmentally friendly and quiet, manual push mowers rely on your strength and energy to mow. They’re a good choice for small, flat lawns.
Electric mower Available in corded and cordless models, electric lawn mowers are less noisy than gas mowers and great for small yards. Corded mowers stay plugged into electrical outlets as you mow. Rechargeable cordless models offer more freedom, but they may need a recharge mid-mow.

Gas-powered push mower Walk-behind, gas-powered mowers have more power and maneuver more easily than manual and electric types, especially when they’re self-propelled. They are ideal for medium-sized lawns.
Riding mower or lawn tractor For large or sloped lawns, a riding mower or lawn tractor is the best option, allowing you to get a big job done fast.
Mulching mower Designed to chop up grass clippings as you mow, mulching mowers leave small clippings on your lawn. Mulched grass clippings left on healthy lawns add nutrients and encourage beneficial microorganisms in the soil.1

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Seeding And Sodding

If your lawn is in rough shape, you may be wondering what the best course of action is to restore your lawn to a green and healthy state. There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether you should reseed or resod your lawn. Both options have their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered.

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How Should I Water The Areas Of Lawn I Have Reseeded

Watering new seed is very different to if you were watering a lawn. Seed germinates by absorbing moisture into the seed pod, swelling up and popping or germinating. So, watering for short bursts will stop the seed from drying out. Water soaked through the lawn is of no use to seed at all.

There is no rule of thumb when it comes to how quickly seed can germinate. Soil temperatures, moisture availability, depth of seed and light availability all play their part. Also, some grass species are larger and can germinate much quicker than others. Ultimately, however, the correct moisture in the surface and moderate soil temperatures are key to quickening up this process.

How do I look after the new seedlings?

To grow into strong plants, seedlings need foods, and they need it early. Generally, seedlings like phosphates, although some nitrogen is also useful. Traditionally you would of looked for a quick-release fertiliser with a fairly high middle number, such as 5-10-5. Apply either when sowing the seed or when you first see germination, at 35-70 grams per square metre.

If an organic feed is preferred, we recommend True Grass organic fertiliser. Through our own testing we found this helps seedlings germinate faster and the lawn to thicken quicker than conventional fertilisers. Simply apply the organic granules into and over the seeded area and then top the feed up again when germination has occurred as the new grass plants will soon use it.

Why Overseed Your Lawn

Why and when should I aerate, compost, and reseed my lawn ...

Overseeding is important because it can act as an easy way to fill in bare spots in your lawn.

These spots may have been left by a variety of factors, such as weather, stray toys, neighborhood dogs, etc.

Overseeding your lawn can also help to improve the density of your lawn grasses. This can prevent weeds from taking root.

It can also enhance the color and uniformity of your lawns appearance.

Overall, overseeding a lawn is important in maintaining a healthy lawn. While its much easier than tearing out your lawn and starting from scratch, it is super easy to overseed incorrectly. Making mistakes can damage your lawn instead of helping it. Also, grass seed is expensive. You want to make sure youre getting the most value from every seed you spread on your lawn.

Here are my best tips on how to overseed a lawn the right way.

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S For Reseeding Your Lawn

Rake Use a heavy duty rake, a Straight Rake to remove dead grass. You want to loosen the top of the soil about 1/2 inch.

Aerify This process is to help soil compaction and thatch build up. Using a hollow-tine core aerator will pull up small plugs of soil at regular intervals. This allows more oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the grasss roots more easily. You can aerate a couple of ways. You manually aerate, or rent a higher grade machine. We usually go in with the neighbor and rent one this time of year. This way we can share the cost, dont have to store it, and its easier to do a more consistent job.

Fertilize This can confuse even the avid home gardener. We always find helpful tips from our local nursery. We do know that while reseeding, youll want to use a starter fertilizer at the time of planting and then follow up with a standard fertilizer four to eight weeks after it germinates. The 3 primary nutrients that cool-season grasses respond well to are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Newly planted lawns or established lawns will need different proportions, thats why its always good to talk to a turf expert.

Water Water newly planted grass and frequently if youre not expecting any rainfall. You want the keep the top layer damp until you see the seeds germinate. Once it germinates, you can reduce your watering along with the cooler fall temps and increased rainfall.

We are so eager to get our yard in better condition.

How To Properly Take Care Of It

You can follow up on your fall planting with some new seeds the following spring. This will help fill in any spots that need more grass. After you have planted the seed, youll want to make sure it gets adequate water. Youll want your seed to be moist but not saturated, which usually requires a few waterings every day.

Once the grass reaches about 2 inches in height, reduce the watering frequency but increase the duration of each watering. This will help establish the roots. Make sure you wait to mow it until it is established and about 4 inches tall and set your mower on a higher setting.

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Should I Reseed My Lawn In The Fall

FalloverseedlawnGrassfall

. Besides, when should I reseed my lawn in the fall?

The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance service recommends overseeding at least 45 days before your average first fall frost. In southern areas, overseed thinning lawns in late spring, as warm-season grasses enter active growth. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall.

can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn? By applying grass seed over an existing lawn, you can help fill in bare spots and reinvigorate your lawn. The weather, kids, and pets can be tough on lawns. Lack of water, too much heat, wear & tear, and other problems can make it look worn and thin. You can help reinvigorate your lawn by overseeding.

Also asked, how do I reseed my lawn in the fall?

How to Reseed a Lawn In the Fall

Step 1 – Aerate Your Lawn. Thatch created by dead grass buildup can prevent water from penetrating the soil and getting to your grass roots.

Step 2 Loosen Clay Soils.

Step 3 Spread Fertilizer Rich in Phosphorus.

Step 4 Choose The Best Time to Re-seed.

Step 5 Cover Your Grass Seed.

Step 6 Use Proper Watering.

Should I fertilize after overseeding in the fall?

After over-seeding, fertilizing will give the seed an extra boost and help the existing lawn thrive through autumn. Gertens Turf Special is perfect for this time of year. Be sure that the seed is also getting enough water during the fall months.

So When Is Sod A Good Idea

Should You RESEED after Seeding the Lawn? | Thin Spots in Lawn after Seeding

Sod is a great quick fix. It might be good for an open house or to sell a home quickly and you dont have a chance to let the grass grow.

It can be good for instant beautification for weddings or venues so long as you dont have to maintain the yard thereafter.

But honestly, other than that, there are not a lot of great reasons to choose sod over seed. It may take longer but you will be rewarded greatly in the long run with a healthy lawn, healthy grass and a lawn to last.

More Landscaping Tips

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How To Prepare The Soil

Before you start reseeding, you should prepare the soil well. Because everything you do before, you will not have to do later with double or triple the time.

First, mow the entire lawn. Choose the shortest cut setting on your lawnmower. This way you can easily identify small areas that need repair. Meticulously remove all root debris and plants. You should also remove moss while youre at it.

Now you can start scarifying the lawn. You can scarify the entire lawn if you wish.If you dont have any experience with scarifying lawns, there are a few things you should keep in mind. After all, when youre cutting the ground, things can go wrong sometimes.

If you have scarified the lawn, you should now apply the starter fertilizer. The best way to do this is to fill the fertilizer into a spreader. A spreader is particularly suitable for large areas. This ensures that the fertilizer is well distributed over the area. Pay attention to the quantities on the package, but about 25 grams per 10 ft² should be sufficient.

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!

First Lets Talk About Some Benefits And Disadvantages Of Seeding A Lawn Versus Sod

Lets talk about what you have there now. Do you have a blank canvas to work with or are you going to have to start over? Examine the lawn for any weeds first. If your lawn has more than 50% weeds, moss, tough thatch, or clover, it may be time for a do-over.

Test your soil. This is a part of any successful lawn project. Testing can eliminate the guesswork on what type of nutrients to add to the soil and what type of seed or sod to use.

Tips For Spring Grass Reseeding

When your lawn revives in the spring, it may not be as thick or green as you would like. Even if you are mowing, fertilizing, and watering your lawn properly, a yearly reseeding might be necessary to keep it in tip-top shape. Here are ten easy steps to help you with the reseeding process.

Dont jump the gun and plant before the temperatures are right. Cool-season grass seeds will germinate when soil temperatures are between 55 and 65°F, and warm-season grass seed will germinate when soil temperatures are between 70 and 80°F. Your lawn should be actively growing when you reseed, and there shouldnt be any danger of another frost. When these temperatures occur will depend on where you live, so make sure you are listening to weather reports and relying on an accurate thermometer.

You dont just have to sit around and wait for the timing to be right. Make sure that you know a) what kind of seed you are planting, and b) what kind of soil you are planting them in. Be sure to choose a product that has a high live seed percentage. Choosing a different grass variety or even a different species to reseed with will increase your lawns tolerance for stress.

Consult your most recent soil test or have one done. If the pH level is too acidic for good grass growth, now is the time to do a lime application.

Remove anything that makes the ground uneven: sticks, stones, leaves, etc.

Using a straight rake, rake across the lawn to get the soil loose and ready for new seeds.

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Unhappy With Your Lawn

Do you feel like youve tried everything when it comes to keeping your lawn nice and you just cant win?

Overseeding can give your lawn the extra boost it may need.

Sometimes, even the most well-cared for and maintained lawn will experience a failure to thrive. The weather, our families, and even our pets can eventually begin to take its toll on our grass. As a result, many home and business owners occasionally find that, even with a full fertilization and weeding program, their grass and gardens still look brown, dry, limp, and even bald in some areas. If that sounds like the current state of your lawn, your property may be ready for an overseeding treatment.

No Matter Where You Live In The Us Learn The Best Time To Reseed Your Lawn And How To Do It

Flystock/Shutterstock

Left alone, grass has no problem providing its own seed and replenishing itself. A manicured lawn often cant because repeated mowing chops off most, if not all, of the seeds before they mature. Thats why its important to reseed your lawn from time to time, especially if it gets a lot of wear and tear.

Heres more information on how long it takes for grass seed to grow.

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What Month Is Good For Reseeding A Yard

When To Reseed Lawn In Fall

How To Repair Lawn Grass How to reseed a Lawn

My lawn is in desperate need of maintenance after a long dry summer and having a dog which also brings all the other neighborhood dogs to our front yard. I swear you can almost hear my yard whispering UNCLE!

My husband loves doing yard work, so watching his beloved grass turn splotchy and dry pains him. You can imagine his excitement when I partnered with Grass Seed USA to bring you all the lawn tips youll ever need! One of the main reasons Ive decided to work with them is because the best grass seed comes from Oregon Grass Seed Farmers! Being originally from Oregon and born in the Willamette Valley, I am very familiar with these farms. How do you know if the grass seed youre buying is from Oregon? Just turn it over and youll see it listed right on the back.

This particular bag we bought is from Tangent. Thats right outside our capital of Salem Oregon.

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The Best Time To Overseed Grass

Overseeding means planting new grass to fill in any bare orworn patches. This is helpful for having a gorgeous lawn that looks thick andhealthy all year long. The best time to overseed depends on two factors: whereyou live and what kind of grass you prefer.

Many homeowners in northern states choose cool-seasongrasses, and southern areas often select warm-season grasses. Each type ofgrass has distinctive growth patterns and needs, so make sure to speak with ourlawn professionals if youre not sure what variety to choose. Here are theoptimal overseeding times for several locations and grass types:

PacificNorthwest : Plant new grasses about six weeks beforethe first projected snowfall. These are generally cool-season grasses.

SouthwestU.S. : Early spring is the best time foroverseeding in these areas.
Southernstates : April, May and June are good times tooverseed in this huge area. The best time may vary each year depending on soiltemperatures. You want warm-season grass to have a cozy environment togerminate in.
Northeaststates : Due to the cold temperatures prevalent in theseareas, its best to start planting grass seeds in August or September to givethem some time to grow before winter hits.

MidwestU.S. : Weather conditions vary quite abit depending on how far north you live, but a safe bet is to overseed lawns bythe end of August or early September at the latest.

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