Should you overseed your lawn in the fall?

Fall is the time to perform your lawn overseeding because the soil temperature is still warm. Therefore, it is the perfect time for germinating grass seed. Plus, weed seeds don't germinate in the fall, and that means less competition for your new grass seedlings.

When should I overseed 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.

Is fall overseeding necessary?

Fall aeration is vital to achieving a green and healthy lawn. If you want your garden to look its best, fall aeration should become an essential part of your lawn care and maintenance process. In fact, fall overseeding and aeration are the best combo to give your turf the boost it needs to germinate and mature.

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.)

Is it OK to overseed in the fall?

Fall Overseeding

Many homeowners find that overseeding in the fall works very well. Cool-season grasses germinate best when daily temperatures are gradually moving downward as they do in fall, so it can be a great time to overseed without the pressure of summer's dry, hot conditions.

How to OVERSEED Your Lawn in FALL - Easy Way

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.

Do I need to water after overseeding in the fall?

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 you fertilize or overseed first?

Stop fertilizing for at least a month before overseeding. The fertilizer makes your grass grow faster, which makes it harder for the new seeds to take hold. Identify your grass type or the type of grass you want to grow.

How do I prepare my lawn for overseeding?

Should I mix grass seed with topsoil when overseeding?

Should you mix grass seed with topsoil? If you're looking for a quick answer, yes, you should mix grass seed with topsoil for small areas of your garden and other applications.

Is November too late to overseed?

While November is not too late to plant grass seed, it is not without risks. Those risks can pay off with an easy planting season in the spring or it could mean the loss of your seeds if the weather warms up. We recommend following the planting guidelines on your grass seed for the best results.

Can you fall fertilize and overseed at the same time?

Applying fertilizer at the same time you seed your lawn is not a recommended idea. Many experts will tell you that doing so you could risk to destroy a large part of your lawn where the soil was heavily fertilized.

Do I need to aerate and overseed every year?

Every yard should have aeration and overseeding done regularly. However, there are a few ways to determine if your lawn needs this service soon. If your yard gets heavy use, such as from children and pets running around, it's likely compacted and could benefit from aeration.

Is it worth putting grass seed down in October?

Waiting until October to sow grass seeds is a good idea as the summer has been and gone and the temperature is perfect for seed germination. So, here are some tips for seeding this month: Prepare the ground by raking and loosening the soil.

Is overseeding worth it?

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 best grass seed to overseed in the fall?

Choose the Best Grass for Overseeding

Some good warm-season grasses are Bermuda grass and zoysia grass. For cooler climates, try a Kentucky blue or tall fescue. As you determine the best grass for overseeding, don't forget to consider the lighting of the area.

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.

Do I need to aerate my lawn before overseeding?

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.

Should I mow before or after overseeding?

After you lay down your seedlings, they'll need time and the right environmental protection to grow. They'll need to acclimate and set roots before the first mow, so during the first two to four weeks post aerating and overseeding, don't mow.

Do I need topsoil to overseed?

Many think that putting topsoil over the seeds would protect it, but in fact, that will actually suffocate the seedlings rather than doing any good. We suggest that straw, hay, or any other type of mulching material be used.

What is the best fertilizer for fall overseeding?

Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, such as Milorganite, when overseeding. Mixing Milorganite with the seed not only makes nutrients available to the grass when it needs it, it also makes it easier to see where the tiny seeds have been broadcast. This counts as the fall fertilization.

What time of day is best to overseed lawn?

You also need to pick the best time of the day for the procedure – do it early in the morning, on a warm, sunny day, to allow the new seeds to make the most of the great weather. Sprinkle the new seeds around the lawn and water the reseeded area gently, paying attention not to wash them away.

Can you walk on overseeded lawn?

You can walk on your new lawn gently, with smooth soled shoes at any time though you should try to minimise how often and not use the same track. You may need to do so for watering or topping up a few patches with seed. You will not harm seed, seedlings or newly laid turf.

How do you do fall overseeding?

Fall overseeding of a lawn is simply a process of spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to thicken the grass and improve its health. Overseeding begins with mowing existing grass as short as your lawn mower will cut. Then, all of the grass clippings, twigs, leaves, and other debris must be raked and removed.

How much seed needed for overseeding?

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.