When should I start overseeding?

Late summer or early fall is the best time to overseed lawns. Soil and atmospheric temperatures are most favorable for optimum seed germination and growth. With adequate moisture, fertilizer and sunlight, the new seedlings will be well established before cooler fall weather sets in.

What month should you overseed?

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. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall.

Can you overseed too early?

You wouldn't want to aerate and overseed too early, before the last frost hits for example, and kill the seeds. You also wouldn't want to do it during the peak of a hot summer, when the harsh sun and temperature suppress new growth. For cool-season grasses, common in northern lawns, aerate early fall or spring.

Should I Overseed first or fertilize 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.

How tall should grass be before overseeding?

So to give the seed a better chance, mow the existing grass slightly shorter than you normally would cut it. For example, normally you should cut grass to a height of 3 to 3.5 inches. But to prepare for overseeding, reduce that height to 1.5 to 2 inches.

Fix an Ugly Lawn with Overseeding // Complete Step by Step Guide For Beginners

Do I need topsoil when overseeding?

Along with planting grass, there are additional tasks that can be completed to protect and help the grass grow well. 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.

What is the proper way to overseed a lawn?

What is the best fertilizer for 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.

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.

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.

Is it OK to overseed every year?

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.

Will grass grow if you overseed?

Over-seeding is a relatively quick and easy way to fill any bare or lackluster patches in your yard: An over-seeded lawn can be well-established within eight weeks or less. New growth can have a profound effect on the look, feel and texture of your lawn.

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.

Can I overseed and fertilize 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.

Can you water too much after overseeding?

For best results, water all newly-seeded areas twice daily, beginning the day of seeding. The goal is to keep the seed moist, but to avoid standing water. Too much water will kill the seed. If you are not able to water twice a day, thoroughly water once daily for a longer duration.

When can I fertilize after overseeding?

8. Fertilize. About six weeks after overseeding, apply the proper type of fertilizer for your seed variety. In some cases, a quick-release fertilizer is best for that extra boost of nitrogen.

Can you overseed without aerating?

The answer is that you can overseed effectively without aerating. As we've just mentioned, it's all about seed-to-soil contact. You can get good results without aerating by simply clearing and raking the soil before applying seed.

What seeds should I buy for overseeding?

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.

What to put down before overseeding?

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 can I thicken my grass?

What is the best soil 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.

Will grass grow in 2 inches of soil?

Most types of grass can grow through 2-3 inches of topsoil placed on top of it if the existing established plants are healthy. Grass often grows through topsoil when a thinner layer of topsoil is placed on top of an old lawn.

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.

Does rain help overseeding?

Excessive rain can be a setback when you're trying to grow new grass, but it doesn't have to be! Best practice is to avoid overseeding a soggy lawn. Instead, wait for the lawn to dry, and check to make sure there's no rain in the immediate forecast when you plan to seed.