Does overseeding really work?

THE BENEFITS OF OVERSEEDING

Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required.

What is the success rate of overseeding?

Even with this heavy watering, overseeding has an average successful germination rate of just 30%.

Is overseeding a waste of money?

Even a well-maintained yard will benefit from this project. Quality grass seed is expensive, but as lawn care projects go, overseeding offers one of the best returns on your investment. It is some of the best money spent on your lawn each year.

Is aeration overseeding worth it?

They want to know: Is aeration and seeding worth it? Our answer is yes because a thick and healthy lawn is the best way to defend against weeds and other lawn problems. Aeration and overseeding are really important when it comes to achieving that thick and thriving lawn.

How often should you overseed your lawn?

Make it an annual practice. "Annual overseeding is recommended to thicken lawns and make them more attractive, but also to introduce improved varieties of grass that are hardier, less prone to insects and diseases, and more drought tolerant," explains Mayer.

DON’T make these 7 STUPID Mistakes when OVERSEEDING your LAWN

Can you use too much grass seed when overseeding?

Ignoring recommended seeding rates

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

Can I just throw grass seed down on existing lawn?

Overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you've always wanted. By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again. (This is different from reseeding, which is when you start over and plant a completely new lawn.)

What is the best month to aerate my lawn?

The best time to aerate your lawn is in late summer or early fall, as this will allow your grass to recover completely before going dormant in the winter. While Fall is recommended, you can also aerate and overseed your lawn in the spring between March and May.

Do I need to seed immediately after aerating?

Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.

Should I add topsoil when overseeding?

Overseeding can also help with any bare spots in your lawn. To remedy bare spots, cover spots with topsoil before you overseed. This will improve the quality of the soil and help the grass grow.

Should I aerate or overseed?

Aeration will help ensure your soil is ready to absorb all of the nutrients and seeds that come its way with topdressing and overseeding. That's why you should aerate before overseeding.

Do I need fertilizer when overseeding?

Before overseeding, mow as low as your mower will go. This also helps provide better soil contact for the seeds and allows more sunlight to reach the germinating seeds. Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, such as Milorganite, when overseeding.

Can I overseed without killing weeds?

Quite likely, you'll benefit most from holding off from performing weed control in order to allow us to complete lawn aeration and overseeding. If you treat weeds late in the fall and skip aeration and overseeding, you're only going to have more bare patches and more weeds creeping in.

Can you overwater when overseeding?

Remember: Do not over-water! Some soil types will get spongy, and walking on it in this condition will leave serious depressions and cause compaction. Trying to correct a yard full of deep footprints is not a chore you want to attempt! The top inch of soil should stay moist at all times.

Is October too late to overseed?

When it's October, people often wonder if it is too late to plant new seed. The good news is if you hurry, seed can still be planted in October with the hope that it will survive the upcoming winter. Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results.

How do I get the best results from overseeding?

When should you not aerate your lawn?

It is best to avoid aerating lawns when they are going into dormancy. So, late summer or early fall are too late for warm-season grasses; it is best to aerate in late spring or early summer. For aerating cool-season grasses, stick to early spring and early fall.

Will seed germinate in aeration holes?

Aeration enhances seed germination.

Seeds germinate easily in aerator holes as the holes provide them a place to hide. Overseeding introduces new grass seed to fill in bare or thin areas as well as thickens existing turf. Over time, grass plants reach their peak and need to be replaced.

Should I pick up plugs after aerating?

As we've established, don't remove aeration plugs. It takes approximately one to two weeks for the plugs to break down on their own, but there are some things you can do to help the plugs break down faster to tidy up the lawn. You can hope for rainfall, but you can also water the lawn to help the plugs break down.

Is it better to aerate a dry or wet lawn?

Aerating is easiest on you (or your equipment operator) and your lawn when your soil is moist from irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be tough to aerate, so moisture eases the process. Never aerate overly wet lawns; wait a few days instead.

Should you cut grass before aerating?

Before you aerate, mow your lawn low (Timberline lawn experts recommend setting your mower to about 1.5-2 inches above the ground to maximize the effectiveness of aerating, being sure to not scalp the crown of the grass.) You will want to water one to three days before aerating.

Can you aerate your lawn too much?

As a general rule, you shouldn't need to aerate more than once a year at any time ("too much of a good thing" applies here, since you don't want to damage your soil).

Will grass seed grow if thrown on dirt?

Grass seeds are not strong enough to grow through soil. They're meant to be placed on top of loose, prepared soil. Germination can quickly suffer from too much soil on top of them.

What is the best way to overseed an existing lawn?

What is the best grass seed for overseeding?