How heavy should you overseed?

Be sure to use the right amount of seed.

Overseeding requires about half the normal seeding rate. For tall fescue on bare soil, experts put that rate at 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet (something that can be double-checked; it should be listed on the bag).

How thick should you overseed?

At the appropriate time to overseed (knowing when to reseed a lawn is based on your climate and grass type), start by loading the grass seed into a seed spreader and spread about 16 seeds per square inch of soil. The right seed density will depend on the thickness of the existing lawn, so some lawns might need less.

How many pounds of seed do I need to overseed?

If most of your lawn already has thick grass growth, overseeding will be a general maintenance task. In this case, you should use two to four pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. However, if your lawn has exposed areas of soil, apply four to eight pounds of seed per every 1,000 square feet.

Can you use too much seed when overseeding?

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.

How far does 50 pounds of grass seed cover?

The 50lb option covers 10,000 square feet for overseeding and 5,000 square feet for bare ground.

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

How much will a 40 lb bag of grass seed cover?

A: A 40 pound package will cover 420 square feet, so you will need approximately 3 bags.

Will my grass get thicker if I let it go to seed?

Allowing Grass to Seed Thins Lawn and Wastes Nutrients

Another reason not to let your grass go to seed is because it could actually thin it out instead of thickening it.

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 you rake in seed when overseeding?

If you're using grass seed to overseed your lawn instead of Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick'R Lawn™, it's a good idea to rake in a thin, 0.25-inch 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.

How many times a year should you overseed?

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.

How much does 1 lb of grass seed cover?

Most seed bags will recommend a range such as 250-400 square feet per pound. Seeding a new lawn or spot repair usually takes roughly twice as much seed as overseeding an existing lawn.

Should I overseed twice?

It is recommended to fill in a lawn with 50% or more grass coverage. However, at 50% you will likely need overseeding twice to get the lawn to 90-100%. Just throwing seed on your lawn without aerating or working up the soil will have little to no positive effect on your lawn.

What happens if I Overseed too much?

If you put down too much grass seed, you will encourage competition that will cause your grass seedlings to struggle after germination because there will be excessive competition for sunlight, soil nutrients, and water. You'll know if you seeded too heavy when the grass grows in very thick patches.

Should I water immediately after overseeding?

It's critical that you properly water your lawn after aeration and overseeding. Not doing so could have negative results such as a lawn that won't grow, wasted money, or needing to re-seed all over again. It's important to keep in mind that lawn care is a partnership between you and your lawn care company.

Should grass be wet or dry when overseeding?

Mow the lawn prior to overseeding. Water the lawn to moisten the soil, but make sure it's not soaking wet. A good rule of thumb is to water the day before you plan to overseed so the soil has a little time to dry.

Should I aerate after overseeding?

2) If you're going to aerate, you'll want to do this beforehand. Typically, overseeding 48 hours following aerating is a best practice, as this will give the seed the best chance of getting into the soil. Aerating will also help to correct problems in your lawn such as thinning.

Can I just throw grass seed down on existing lawn?

Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially 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.

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 long after overseeding will I see results?

Depending on conditions and type of seed, new grass seed will begin to emerge in 5-7 days after seeding when moisture and soil temperatures are adequate. An overseeded lawn can be fully established in eight weeks or less. Proper watering is critical to successful overseeding.

Can you throw grass seed on top of soil?

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 dirt to overseed with?

We recommend using BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil when you decide it's time to overseed. Our Black Garden Soil has light and fluffy properties that make it a fantastic growing medium for new grass seeds.

How many pounds of grass seed do you need to overseed an acre?

When seeding new turf grass, we recommend a seed rate of 4-7 lbs of seed per 1,000 square feet (the equivalent of 175-250 lbs per acre). The following images illustrate what that looks like over a one-square-foot area.

How long should grass be to overseed?

Refrain from mowing the grass until the lawn has filled in and the blades are at least one-inch high.

Does putting grass clippings on bare spots help grass grow?

Simply put, grass clippings are good for lawns because they turn into natural fertilizer. Clippings contain the same things as the rest of your grass – including water and the nutrients (especially nitrogen) that your lawn needs to stay healthy.