Wait This Project Is Getting Out Of Control
When you start to add aeration, dethatching, top-dressing, and seeding your lawn together, it sounds like a lot of work .
But this is a lawn renovation you can complete by yourself in a single 3-day weekend and youll be amazed by the results.
Its a project weekend I do every other fall on my lawn here in New England, and I have a complete schedule for this sort of overseeding project weekend which you can check out at the very bottom of this page if youd like to learn more.
And if youre interested in learning my exact process for caring for my lawn each season, grab my free cheat-sheet right here.
I hope your overseeding project goes well this year!
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Improving Your Lawn Doesnt Have to Be Difficult
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Consider Aerating Before Overseeding For The Best Results
While overseeding is a great method to help fill in the patchy areas of your lawn, you may want to consider core aeration prior to the seeding process to help make your lawn strong and healthy. When a lawn care provider aerates your lawn, that means they are poking small holes in your soil to give essential nutrients better access to the roots of your grass. If you overseed directly after aeration, the grass seeds can fall into these holes, giving them good seed-to-soil contact, which will give them a higher chance of germinating successfully.
Core aeration also helps loosen up compacted soil. With compacted soil, much of the water that nourishes your grass will not make it to your grasss roots. Core aeration creates a channel for more air and water to easily enter the soil, which is beneficial for your existing grass as well as your new seedlings. That’s why it’s always best to overseed right after your lawn has been aerated.
Ask your lawn care provider if they provide core aeration services when you’re considering overseeding your lawn!
Which Seed Should I Use
The best type of seed depends on where you live and what kind of grass you already have. If you live in a cold climate, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass are excellent choices. If you live in the south, warm-season grass like zoysia or Bermudagrass is more appropriate.
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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.
What Is The Best Month To Overseed Your Lawn
Although the Spring season is a great time to overseed, overseeding your lawn in the early Fall will also yield great results. The fall weather allows for the seeds to sprout and grow strong roots before winter hits.
If overseeding in the fall, apply your grass seed with a drop spreader or fertilizer spreader so as not to lose any grass seeds due to wind drift. Be sure to apply the grass seed at 1/4 of its recommended rate for overseeding.
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What Are The Best Overseed Grass Species
The best overseed grass species you can use is perennial ryegrass, particularly a Kentucky bluegrass mix. This type of grass overseed will germinate in a matter of days, and provide a lush green overseeding for your yard.
Perennial ryegrass is great to overseed grass because it can tolerate cold weather conditions, as well as drought and high temperatures. It also happens to be the best overseed grass species when you need strong overseeding grass for heavy foot traffic and play areas.
Another grass option thats great for overseeding is ryegrass. This overseed grass is a hardy overseeding and has wonderful color variation throughout the overseeded season. However, it may not stand up to heavy foot traffic as well as perennial ryegrass overseeded for this reason, we recommend that you overseed with both for best results.
Tall fescue is another grass species that are great for overseeding. Its used in many overseeding programs due to its color, growth habit, texture, and disease resistance.
Its best when overseeded with another species of grass to add diversity. One of our top picks for overseeding with tall fescue is a blend that contains perennial ryegrassthe color and overseeded health go hand-in-hand.
New Grass From Spring Seeding Wont Survive
While the springtime weather might seem ideal, the hot, dry season is just around the corner, sometimes beginning as early as late April in our region. The summer is the most difficult time for turfgrass and it takes a hearty and healthy lawn to survive and thrive through the heat.
Although your new seedlings will germinate, their tiny root systems simply wont be able to survive the hot, dry climate. It takes about 9 to 10 months of ideal conditions for new grass to develop a substantial root system.
Mature lawns can survive drought more often because those fibrous and mature roots can go as much as 6 to 12 inches deep if the soil profile is ideal. Those established roots can access moisture resources that a tiny 3-month old seedling cannot. Youll likely find you have to seed all over again when the time is right.
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What Exactly Is Overseeding
To overseed your lawn, you will seed on top of your existing lawn. In time, you will begin to notice a change in your lawn. As your lawn ages, there is a decrease in the rate at which new grass blades grow. As the grass weakens, weeds may begin to take over. Your lawn needs overseeding when it has become brown, thin, and patchy. Warm-season grass becomes dormant during the winter so many people opt to overseed with a cool-season grass seed so that their lawn experiences growth all year.
When To Overseed Lawn In Minnesota
If you are planning to overseed your lawn in Minnesota, it is essential that you do it at just the right time to ensure the best results. At Jonathan Green, we have been researching the best ways to grow and care for lawns for over 100 years and have developed a foolproof system. Today we supply genetically superior grass seed and an innovative family of products that will help you get the most out of your lawn.
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Pros & Cons Of Overseeding
Overseeding is a great way to bolster flagging lawns, but its not a lawn care panacea. Some lawns should not be overseeded and attempting it will make the situation worse. There is also a significant cost associated with overseeding, making it unrealistic for people on tight budgets even if it is cheaper than alternatives. Here is a breakdown of the main pros and cons of overseeding.
Pros
Makes your lawn more resistant to wear and tear from pets and children.
Reduced weed activity.
Can be a long-term solution since you might only have to overseed once every few years.
Helps improve drainage and eliminate pooling.
Cons
It increases your water usage.
Its not suitable for some types of grass
You may have to mow your lawn in the winter if you overseed in the fall .
Increases the amount of fertilizer you need.
May not revitalize your lawn in some circumstances .
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How Often Should You Overseed The Lawn
The answer to this largely depends on the environmental conditions. If harsh weather, such as repeated droughts, takes its toll, grass could need overseeding annually to keep up with the damage. However, in most cases overseeding will only be necessary every couple of years. Essentially, if you notice your grass is looking thin and worse for wear, thats a sign that its time to overseed.
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Rake And Remove Debris
Rake or sweep the lawn to remove heavy debris and lawn clippings. The grass seed needs to make good contact with the soil to germinate properly, so we want to remove everything that could be in the way. If you have any bare spots, rough the surface of the soil with a rake or something like a Garden Weasel.
Pick The Right Grass Seed
Grass comes in many varieties. Its common to divide the different types of grass into cool-season grasses that grow primarily in the northern parts of the country and warm-season grasses that grow mainly in the south.
Cool-season Grasses
Cool-season grasses prefer low temperatures between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and are found across the midwest, pacific northwest, and northeast. Some cool-season grasses can grow in the transition zone between hot and cold climates, although they dont handle heat well and can easily die during a hot year.
The most popular cool-season grasses are Kentucky bluegrass, perennial and annual ryegrass, tall fescue, and bentgrass.
Warm-season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are the opposite of cool-season grasses, thriving in hot climates with temperatures in the 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit range. These grasses are well-suited for the hot and humid climates and higher soil temperatures of the south but can also do well in the southern parts of the transition zone.
Common warm-season grasses include St. Augustine grass, zoysia grass, Bermuda grass, and centipede grass.
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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:
Overseeding Renews Your Lawn
Overseeding turns a thin, worn out lawn into a thick, lush lawn. Your healthy, dense lawn will choke out weeds, resist pest attacks, and endure drought.
It’s important to include it in your lawn maintenance program. Even if your lawn is already lush, plan to overseed at least every 3 to 4 years. It’s a good to aerate and overseed every year…and you’ll see real nice results.
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Can I Seed My Lawn In Spring In Cincinnati Dayton Oh Or Northern Kentucky
6 min read
There are a lot of great reasons to seed a lawn. Whether repairing spots thinned out from summer stresses, or as a part of a proactive measure to regularly introduce improved grass species for a thicker and more resilient lawn, seeding remains a valuable lawn care task.
However, seeding is one of those lawn care practices that homeowners often mistakenly assume can be done any time of year. But the fact of the matter is, there is definitely a best time to seed your lawn.
Spring is one of those common times when you might be thinking about seeding. Its possible that youve noticed some thin spots and are anxious to do something about it.
Seed companies also start pushing their product on radio and television ads or in big box stores, taking advantage of the fact that they know youre going to be spending more time outside. And, as we make the welcome transition from winter to spring, you may be feeling motivated to get the lawn into shape.
Unfortunately this big push for marketing seed at the wrong time of year is setting you up for false expectations that the product is going to do well.
The truth is that the practice of seeding your lawn in the spring can lead to a host of problems and it simply isnt worth it. If youve been thinking about spring aeration and overseeding, these are some important points to first consider.
Can You Put Topsoil Over Grass Seed
When placing topsoil over newly planted seed it will actually suffocate the grass seedlings and ultimately they never have the chance to even get started. … Even though they can not be covered with topsoil or earthy materials they can not be let exposed either. Grass seed loves a warm niche in the soil with moisture.
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Why You Shouldn’t Overseed Your Lawn In The Spring
Spring is typically the time most people associate with planting and growingafter all, it is the season of “renewal.” However, overseeding a lawn in spring, especially in Missouri, is a losing battle. When you overseed in the spring, the seeds will not have enough time to establish themselves before the summer heat begins, resulting in stunted growth and sub-par results.
Another factor to consider about spring overseeding is pre-emergent weed control. If you typically apply pre-emergent weed control in the spring, we definitely advise against overseeding at the same time. Your pre-emergent weed control won’t be able to tell the difference between a weed seed and a grass seed and will end up blocking all seeds from sprouting.
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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Make Sure To Water Properly For The Best Results
It is really important to make sure that once the overseeded grass is watered, it remains moist during germination. Be careful not to overwater or the seeds will drown. Depending on the time of year, you may need to water 2-4 times a day in short-duration-bursts to keep from overwatering and washing the seed away. If a seed is left to dry out after it has taken up water, it will not survive.
Return To Regular Maintenance
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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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.
