What to put down before 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.

What to put down when 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 should I do before overseeding my lawn?

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.

How do I prepare my yard for aeration and overseeding?

Watch this BEFORE overseeding your lawn!

Do I need topsoil to overseed?

To remedy bare spots, cover spots with topsoil before you overseed. This will improve the quality of the soil and help the grass grow. Some bald spots are in areas with water drainage problems. Add a thin layer of sand first and smooth it out with a rake.

Do you fertilize before or after overseeding?

This process is about as straightforward as it gets. Fertilize within a few days after aerating, then follow up within 3 days with the overseeding.

What month should I put grass seed down?

In many climates, the best time to plant grass seed is in the autumn. The still-warm soil of late August, September, October, or November encourages optimum root growth, while the cooling air temperatures discourage excessive top growth. This is perfect for establishing lawn grasses and promoting extensive root growth.

Will grass seed grow if thrown on top of dirt?

Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.

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 remove weeds before overseeding?

Many of our clients often ask us the question, “Should I plant grass seed or kill the weeds first?” The answer is rather simple. The weeds should be killed first. Any weeds and poor looking grass around the lawn should be killed before any seeds are planted.

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.

Do I need to aerate 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.

What do you put on top of overseeding?

After aerating, it's time for top dressing: spread either pulverized top soil or a good quality humus compost across the lawn. You don't need much—about a quarter inch or so is adequate. Then, go ahead and reseed. Be sure to invest some money in the seed and get good quality, weed-free seed.

What seed should I use for overseeding?

You should try to use a seed that is the same as your grass. For example, if you have turf-type tall fescue, then use turf-type tall fescue seed or a blend of turf-type tall fescue seed and Kentucky bluegrass seed. Be careful about using bargain store seed brands for overseeding lawns.

What soil should I use for overseeding?

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.

Are coffee grounds good for grass seed?

Just as the aroma and caffeine of a cup of Joe in the morning stimulates many of us, using coffee ground on grass can also stimulate healthier turf. It isn't the caffeine that stimulates healthy grass growth, but rather the nitrogen, phosphorus and trace minerals that coffee grounds contain.

Does 1 grass seed equal one blade of grass?

Did you know that every blade of grass was once a tiny grass seed? Although you can plant plugs or lay sod, seeding is a convenient and inexpensive way to get your lawn to take root. Grass seeds come in many different varieties, but all types of grass follow the same basic growth and harvesting process.

Should I soak grass seed before planting?

Soak the seed in water for 3 to 5 days. Bluegrass should be soaked for 5 days. Make sure all seed is wetted. Place container in a dark area.

Do you just scatter grass seed?

We recommend using a spreader but if you are doing it by hand, use string to divide the area into sections before sowing your seed. This helps to control the amount of seed you sow. You should aim to sow the seed between 5mm and 10mm deep under the soil.

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.

Can I put down fertilizer and grass seed at the same time?

Most weed and feed fertilizers contain a herbicide that prevents seed germination, so it is recommended to wait until your new grass is well established and you have mowed it a minimum of 4 times (usually 6 to 8 weeks) before applying a weed and feed fertilizer.

Can I overseed and fertilize the same day?

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.

Can you put down lawn seed and fertilizer at the same time?

Whatever you do, seeding and fertilising should never be done at the same time. Doing so can cause uneven distribution of the seeds and the fertiliser, which leads to a patchy lawn. Some areas of soil can end up with no seeds, some areas no fertiliser, and some seeds may be burnt by excess fertiliser.

Can you put down too much overseed?

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.