For the best results, calculate your grass seed needs by type of seed and square footage. Otherwise, a general rule of thumb is 3-4 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet for new lawns and 1-2 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet for overseeding. Frequently Asked Questions
How to over seed a lawn after scarifying or raking?
What to Do After Scarifying
- Aerate, Either By Spiking or Hollow Tining. ...
- Add a Top Dressing (Optional) For most lawns, top dressing is an optional extra which adds cost and time. ...
- Overseed. ...
- Apply a Fertiliser. ...
- Water (If Needed) In order to activate the fertiliser and encourage the germination of new grass seed, the soil needs moisture.
How to start a new lawn from the seed?
- Soak the soil 4 to 6 inches deep immediately after seeding. ...
- Depending on weather conditions, follow up with daily or twice daily watering until the seeds are well established.
- It's important to never let the seed dry out as this inhibits germination. ...
Should I overseed or sod my lawn?
Overseeding your lawn is a great way to improve the current density of your grass as well as improve the varieties of grass in your lawn. When overseeding is done right with the proper preparation you can have a full lawn within a month or so depending on the variety of grass you choose.
How to properly overseed your lawn?
The steps for a total overseeding overhaul include:
- Aeration: The lawn is aerated to ‘open up the pores’ of the lawn and allow the seed spots to settle and germinate.
- Power Rake: The lawn is power raked to remove dead thatch and open up the grass, so the seed has somewhere to settle and germinate.
- Hand Rake: The lawn is hand raked to remove thatch that is pulled up during power raking. ...
How much grass seed should I put down 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.
How many sq ft Does a 50 lb bag of grass seed cover?
DimensionsCoverage Area (sq. ft.)10000Product Depth (in.)Product Height (in.)34Product SizeProduct Width (in.)18
How many pounds of grass seed do you need to overseed an acre?
Calculate the pounds of grass seed needed. 43.56 is the number you get when you divide the size of an acre by 1,000. Multiply the manufacturer's recommended pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet by 43.56 to get the amount you need per acre.
How many square feet does a 10 pound bag of grass seed cover?
2,500 sq. ftLawn Mix. This mix withstands wear from drought and high traffic, and the 10 lb. bag covers up to 2,500 sq. ft.
Can you use too much grass seed when overseeding?
Quality grass seed labels include guidance on optimal seeding rates to maximize your results. 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.
How much will a 40 lb bag of grass seed cover?
DimensionsCoverage Area (sq. ft.)1600026 inProduct Height (in.)6 in40 LB-PoundProduct Width (in.)19 in
Does overseeding actually 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 best grass seed to overseed with?
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.
How many bags of grass seed do I need for 1 acre?
For forage production or wild-land meadows, you only need 10 to 20 lb of of grass seed per acre. Some intensive forage production requires more, such as 30 to 40 lb of seed per acre, especially when growing hay for export markets or to sell for making feed pellets or cubes.
How much does a 5 lb bag of grass seed cover?
1,500 sq. ftThis mix withstands drought and wear from high traffic, and the 5 lb. bag covers up to 1,500 sq. ft.
How much does 20lbs of grass seed cover?
Compare Similar Grass Seedcurrent product Best SellerCoverage Area (sq. ft.) 800042010000Product Size 20 LB-Pound21.7 LB-Pound40.3 LB-PoundProduct Weight (lb.) 2021.740Landscape Supply Type SeedsSeedsSeeds11 more rows
Do you have to aerate before overseeding?
The most important step you can take before overseeding your lawn is aerating your soil. No matter what seed you use, they can't germinate in compacted soil devoid of water, nutrients, and sufficient air exchange. That's why it's crucial to aerate your lawn before starting the overseeding process.
How much grass seed do I need for 1000 square feet?
For every 1,000 square feet, you will need 2 to 3 pounds of Kentucky bluegrass seed or 4 to 5 pounds of fine fescue or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) grass seed. Seeding rates are similar for blends of multiple species of grass.
What does 1000 sf look like?
A home or apartment that is 1,000 sq. feet will have a square area that generally measures 100 feet long by 100 feet wide. 1,000 square feet is about the size of two full-sized two-car garages.
How many bags of grass seed do I need?
New lawns generally require about twice as much seed as overseeding. Most seed suppliers indicate coverage rates in pounds of grass seed per 1000 square feet of land covered.
How big is a 1000 square foot lawn?
A small 1000 square foot sized lawn would be about 32 by 32 feet of grass. An average 6 foot tall man has a stride of around 3 feet in length. This means that it would only take him approximately 10 steps to walk from one side of the lawn to the other.
How to calculate the amount of grass seed needed for a lawn?
Calculate the total pounds of seed needed using your calculator. Divide the total square feet of your lawn by 1,000. Then multiply that number by the pounds of seed needed per 1,000 square feet. For example, if you were overseeding with Kentucky Bluegrass and your yard size was one acre, you would do the calculation as follows: 43,560 / 1,000 = 43.56; 43.56 x 2 = 87.12. You would need at least 87.12 pounds of Kentucky Bluegrass seed to overseed your one-acre lawn.
What is overseeding a lawn?
Things You'll Need. Overseeding a lawn is the process of putting grass seed down on an existing lawn. This can make your lawn greener, fill in sparse or thin areas and reduce weeds or moss growth.
How to calculate how much grass seed to buy?
You will need the square footage to determine how much grass seed to buy. To calculate square footage, measure your yard with measuring tape then multiply the length of your yard times the width of your yard. If you know how many acres your yard is, you can simply multiply that by 43,560. One acre is equal to 43,560 square feet.
Is all grass created equal?
There are some variations in amount of seed needed depending on the type of seed used. Not all grass is created equal. The type of seed you chose will depend on your current grass type, geographic location and the type of lawn you would like. You can get that information from your state's cooperative extension.
How Do I Troubleshoot My Weed Wacker?
It happens to us all, though, so knowing how to troubleshoot your weed wacker yourself can save you time when you’re able to identify and deal with the possible issues.
What is overseeding in lawns?
Overseeding is the installation of new grass seed with existing grass. It is used to fill in thin or bald patches in the lawn. Obviously, overseeding will require less grass seed than starting a lawn from scratch. Check out our grass seed chart to see the different requirements for overseeding versus new seeding.
How many square feet does 50 lbs of Bermuda grass seed cover?
That 50-pound bag will go a long way! 50 pounds of Bermuda grass seed should cover approximately 50,000 square feet, which is well over one acre.
How much does grass seed cost?
Most of the other common types of grass seed typically cost between $0.30-$0.75 per square foot. Centipede grass is one of the most expensive types of grass seed at around $0.85 per square foot.
How much does buffalo grass cost?
It costs between $0.09-$0.16 per square foot.
How many square feet is 1 acre?
One acre is 43,560 square feet. Divide that by 1,000, which equals 43.56. Next, multiply the amount of grass seed needed in pounds by 43.56.
What is the best temperature for grass?
In the US, warm weather grass is found in the southern regions of the country. It grows best in temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Overseed?
Overseeding is a fast, inexpensive way to help bring your lawn back to its lush, green self without tearing everything out and starting over.
How to get grass seed to root?
Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating. 2.
How to give new grass seedlings nutrients?
To give your new grass seedlings the essential nutrients they need for fast growth, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass after you've spread the grass seed. (No need to do this with Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick’R Lawn™ since it already contains a fertilizer.) Afterward, no matter which product you used to overseed, be sure to keep the soil consistently moist by lightly watering once or twice a day until the seedlings have reached the height of the rest of your lawn. For more information, check out our in-depth watering article.
What to do if your lawn is thin?
If your lawn is looking thin and worn, overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush , green lawn you've always wanted.
When is the best time to oversee a lawn?
In the North, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there's plenty of sunlight.
Can you spread grass seed over existing lawn?
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.) Skip down to how to overseed.
Does The Season Or Climate Affect How Much Seed You Need To Apply?
Here’s the good news: generally speaking, you don’t need to worry about seasonal or climate effects on the amount of grass seed you sow per square foot so long as you take the above factors into consideration. In general, as long as you’re paying attention to the directions listed on your given package of grass seed and you’re sowing it at the correct time and temperature, you won’t necessarily need to worry about what climate you’re growing it in.
How long does it take for grass seed to germinate?
When I grow grass from seed at home in controlled environments I can usually get the vast majority of my seed to germinate within a 5 day window. If my first seeds sprout on day five then usually the last seeds are sprouting on day 10 or so.
Why is shady grass better than other grass?
Shady areas are typically easier to keep seed moist and get grass to start growing. Not only are they protected from harsh hot sunlight but shady areas are frequently protected from wind and rain a bit too. Not all blends or breeds of grass seed are equally good at growing in the same places either.
What does it mean when you put down grass seed?
In fact, putting down an excess of grass seed might mean that you end up with a less desirable outcome than you wanted for your lawn. It’s kind of counter-intuitive. You’d think that the more grass seed you put down, the likelier the chance of having a lush, full-bodied lawn as the seeds sprout and grow.
Why do seeds need to be coated?
Coatings on the seeds are usually meant to help retain moisture and can help with keeping germination rates high. These coatings can also help seeds to germinate faster as they are less likely to dry out on the ground.
Why do you need to plant grass in the fall?
If you decide to seed in the early fall then you are far more likely to have positive results because the soil temperatures are high but the air temps are slowly cooling off. This helps with germination and root growth without the problems of heat stress and drought on your new grass.
What nutrients do grass blades compete for?
No matter how many individual seeds you spread each blade of grass ends up competing for a finite amount of ground surface and nutrients from the soil: water, minerals, nitrogen, sunlight, etc.
How much grass seed do I need for a football pitch?
The amenity grass se ed mixture is designed to create a tightly knitted turf with a high shoot density that is less likely to be torn off.
Can you use too much grass seed when overseeding?
New lawns or spot repairs take twice as much seed as it takes to overseed thin areas. Too much grass seed can cause too much competition for resources such as water and light, which can cause grass seedlings to struggle. Grasses are thin or bare when there is too little seed.
How much will a 50 lb bag of grass seed cover?
A 50lb bag is roughly 30”x 30” and 3.33 square feet. An acre is 43,560 square feet and the bag of grass seed is going to cover over 600 acres.