what is the best way to reseed a lawn

How to Reseed Your Lawn

Full Answer

What is the best way to dethatch my own lawn?

• Mow first. Before dethatching, mow your lawn.
• Wait to fertilize. Do not fertilize your lawn before dethatching, as the thatch may trap fertilizer that you end up removing.
• Use the right dethatcher. For a small yard, a dethatching rake is fine. ...
• Know your yard. ...
• Lift up while thatching. ...
• Clear away the thatch. ...
• Patch the bald spots. ...

When is the best time to seed a lawn?

Seed in early spring, late summer or fall (spring plantings are at risk from hot and dry conditions over the summer). Fertilize in early spring (after a mild winter), late spring or early summer (after a cold winter), late summer and fall. Fine fescue can improve shady lawn areas or lawns that face very cold winters.

When is the best time to scarify a lawn?

The best time to scarify your lawn is either in mid-spring when warm-season grass begins to grow strongly, or in autumn when cool-season grass is experiencing a late-season growth spurt. The optimal timing depends on whether your lawn is planted with warm-season grass or cool-season grass.

What is the best way to fertilize a lawn?

Method 2 Method 2 of 2: Fertilizing Your Lawn Download Article

1. Obtain the proper equipment. The equipment you use can make a difference in the results of your lawn fertilization.
2. Fertilize at the right time of year. In order to your fertilizer to work best, you'll need to time it so that you fertilize at the beginning of the ...
3. Prepare the spreader. ...
4. Start fertilizing. ...
5. Water your lawn. ...

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

How do I prepare my lawn for overseeding?

Mow Low. 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.

How do you seed a lawn that already has grass?

3:344:34Do-it-Yourself: Lawn Overseeding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the lawn has bare spots use the rake to loosen the soil surface in those. Areas. Using aMoreIf the lawn has bare spots use the rake to loosen the soil surface in those. Areas. Using a broadcast a rotary spreader to apply the grass seed will give you a more precise.

How do I start a new lawn from old grass?

How to Replant a LawnClear the area. Kill weeds and any remaining poor-looking grass with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. ... Prep for success. ... Select your grass seed. ... Spread your grass seed. ... Feed for growth. ... Water daily.

What month should I overseed my lawn?

Hands down, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. The absolute sweet spot for most northern regions of the U.S. is August 15 to September 15. That's when daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage growth and nights get cooler, giving new seedlings a break from the heat.

Do I need topsoil when overseeding?

Topsoil doesn't bring as many benefits for overseeding. When choosing between the two, use compost as your top dressing. When overseeding, use compost, not topsoil. Compost provides more nutrients and moisture than topsoil.

Can you put topsoil over existing grass and reseed?

Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass.

Can you lay new grass on top of old grass?

Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn's condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf.

Will grass seed grow on top of dirt?

But, will grass seeds germinate on top of soil? As a general rule, grass seeds will still attempt to grow on top of the soil; however, you will get poor results compared to grass seed covered with 1/4 inch soil. Uncovered grass seed is likely to dry out, be eaten by birds, or be carried away by water runoff.

Do I need to get rid of weeds before seeding?

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.

Can I reseed over dead grass?

Can you seed over dead sod or grass? Yes, you can. This process is sometimes called “overseeding” and is a common practice. You can seed over dead grass or sod as-is or use a variety of tips and techniques to ensure that you get the results you want with less time and expense.

What is the best grass seed to overseed with?

Top 8 Best Grass Seed for OverseedingScott's Turf Builder Thick'R Lawn: Best Overall. ... Scott's Turf Builder Fall Mix: Best For Fall Application. ... Pennington Smart Seed Bermuda Grass Mix: Best For Bermuda Lawns. ... Jonathan Green Touch Up Tri Rye: Best For Cool Season.More items...•

Should you fertilize before or after overseeding?

You can fertilize your lawn before or after overseeding. Both tactics work to feed your new grass seed. It's best to fertilize within 3 days of seeding. This means you can spread your starter fertilizer a few days before you lay down your seed or a few days after.

Do I need to aerate my lawn 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 short do you cut grass 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.

Should I overseed or fertilize first in the spring?

Fertilize or Overseed First? You are probably wondering whether you should fertilize or overseed first in the spring. Either way you choose to proceed is fine; however, you will want to apply starter fertilizer immediately before or after seeding, according to PennState Extension.

What to do after spreading grass seed?

After you’ve spread your grass seed, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass to deliver much-needed nutrients to your lawn’s young root system . If you just laid down Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, or centipede grass, opt instead for Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action Built For Seeding. This will jumpstart seed development and protect the grass (AKA, your hard work) from high heat while keeping any weed seeds from sprouting. At this point, you may also want to place small stakes at the corners of your lot and run string around them as a reminder not to walk on the new seed.

What is reseeding vs overseeding?

A little clarification first: Reseeding is different from overseeding, which is when your lawn is thin with a few spots that need to be filled in, but is still mostly grass. With overseeding, you simply thicken up and improve the lawn you already have.

How long does it take for grass to die?

(Try not to walk on it.) Without access to sunlight, the grass and weeds will wither and die, and in about 6 to 8 weeks, your soil will be ready for its makeover.

How long does it take for plastic to dry out your lawn?

The heat and moisture will destroy your existing “lawn” in about 6 to 8 weeks, leaving the soil ready for reseeding. You can avoid all the plastic by covering your lawn with 7 to 10 layers of overlapping newspaper, instead. Wet it down, then cover that with 5 to 7 inches of mulch, grass clippings, or compost.

Is it hard to reseed a lawn?

Don’t worry—it’s not hard! Just follow these simple steps for reseeding your lawn.

What to do after spreading grass seed?from scotts.com

After you’ve spread your grass seed, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass to deliver much-needed nutrients to your lawn’s young root system . If you just laid down Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, or centipede grass, opt instead for Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action Built For Seeding. This will jumpstart seed development and protect the grass (AKA, your hard work) from high heat while keeping any weed seeds from sprouting. At this point, you may also want to place small stakes at the corners of your lot and run string around them as a reminder not to walk on the new seed.

What is reseeding vs overseeding?from scotts.com

A little clarification first: Reseeding is different from overseeding, which is when your lawn is thin with a few spots that need to be filled in, but is still mostly grass. With overseeding, you simply thicken up and improve the lawn you already have.

How to get good seed to soil contact?from familyhandyman.com

Make sure it doesn't fly into nearby gardens. Rake to cover the furrows as shown. Then compact the soil with a sod roller (rent one for about $20 per day) to get good seed-to-soil contact. Note: Learn how to use a spreader fertilizer and reseed your lawn with our best tips. Step 10.

How to get rid of seed in a broom rake?from familyhandyman.com

Turn the broom rake upside down and drag it side-to-side over the furrows until only 10 to 15 percent of the seed remains uncovered.

How long does it take for grass to die?from scotts.com

(Try not to walk on it.) Without access to sunlight, the grass and weeds will wither and die, and in about 6 to 8 weeks, your soil will be ready for its makeover.

How long does it take for plastic to dry out your lawn?from scotts.com

The heat and moisture will destroy your existing “lawn” in about 6 to 8 weeks, leaving the soil ready for reseeding. You can avoid all the plastic by covering your lawn with 7 to 10 layers of overlapping newspaper, instead. Wet it down, then cover that with 5 to 7 inches of mulch, grass clippings, or compost.

Is it hard to reseed a lawn?from scotts.com

Don’t worry—it’s not hard! Just follow these simple steps for reseeding your lawn.

How to get rid of seed in a broom rake?

Turn the broom rake upside down and drag it side-to-side over the furrows until only 10 to 15 percent of the seed remains uncovered.

How to get good seed to soil contact?

Make sure it doesn't fly into nearby gardens. Rake to cover the furrows as shown. Then compact the soil with a sod roller (rent one for about $20 per day) to get good seed-to-soil contact. Note: Learn how to use a spreader fertilizer and reseed your lawn with our best tips. Step 10.

Consider using a slice seeder

For larger patchy areas, it’s better to perforate or aerate the soil and then spread seed or slit-seed. A “slit seeder” or “slice seeder” is a gasoline-powered machine that slices even rows into soil and drops seed into the rows, for more soil-seed contact and a higher percentage of germinated seed than you’ll get with seed spread on the ground.

Reseeding concerns, including cost

Common mistakes to avoid include over- or under-watering. The lawn layer that contains the seed must be kept moist, but not soaked, for the several weeks it takes to germinate. Water about three times daily, at late night or early morning, midday, and late afternoon.

What to know about hiring lawn help

If you plan to hire a company to aerate and reseed, expect to pay about $50 to $65 per 1,000 square feet, for a minimum $200 to $300 for a 4,000-square-foot lawn. Fertilizer will usually be a separate charge.

Why is it so hard to grow grass seed?

Hard or compacted soil can make it difficult for grass seed to grow because the roots are unable to access the air and soil nutrients they need to grow.

How to cover a lot of ground?

For larger lawns, a lawn spreader is the best way to quickly cover a lot of ground and achieve uniform coverage. Make certain to slightly bury the seed in the top soil. Step 4: Water the lawn every day for a week or two, unless it rains. The objective is to keep the seed and top several inches of soil moist until the seeds germinate.

Why is My Lawn Thin or Patchy?

Many factors contribute to the failure of grass seed to grow as expected.

What is the correct pH for lawns?

Lawns grow best in a soil that that has a pH which is neutral to slightly acidic (between a 6.2 and a 7.0 reading), so balance the pH before you overseed.

Can you reseed a patchy lawn?

If you are faced with a patchy lawn, the best way to reseed it is to start with the right products and follow a few simple steps. Consider using Jonathan Green Black Beauty ® Grass Seed mixtures because they are so deeply rooted and drought tolerant.

When is the best time to oversee your lawn?

When to Overseed. 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.

What is the best grass seed for a lawn?

If your lawn consists of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, or perennial ryegrass, choose a product specially designed for overseeding thin lawns, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Quick + Thick™ Grass Seed Sun - Shade 12-0-0, which combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into an easy-to-use product you apply with a spreader. If you have a different grass type or are unsure of the best grass for your area, the people at your neighborhood garden center can help you choose the right Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed All Purpose Mix for your lawn.

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.

Does Scotts help with brown lawn?

Is your lawn looking thin and brown? Well, Scotts can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you've always wanted and all you need to do is overseed. If you put down a layer of seed over your lawn in the spring or fall, the thin areas will thicken up, and your lawn will start to look terrific again. ...

Signs That You Need to Reseed Your Lawn

The first step before reseeding is to determine what is causing the decline of your lawn and take steps to correct the problem beforehand. When proper treatment is applied, the turf will often repair itself by fall. If bare, brown and weedy spots persist, reseeding will eventually improve the health and look of the lawn.

Why You Should Reseed Your Lawn

Weeds are opportunistic. They often grow rapidly and spread seed easily. When a turfgrass lawn develops thin, brown, discolored or bare patches, weeds will move in unless new grass is grown to fill in the area.

Best Times to Reseed Your Lawn

For best results, reseed your lawn when temperature and moisture levels are optimal and weed competition is low.

How long does it take for grass seed to germinate?

Lightly water grass seed daily to keep it moist, advises the University of Maryland Extension. Seeds may take up to 21 days to germinate, depending on the type of grass you sow. For example, fescue grasses germinate in seven to 14 days while Kentucky bluegrass germinates in 14 to 21 days.

How to determine what soil amendments are needed before planting?

Perform a soil test to determine what soil amendments are needed before planting. Fill in any low spots and make sure the yard has a 1 to 2 percent slope away from your house or other buildings, advises the University of Maryland Extension. Remove any rocks, weeds and roots and break up large clumps of soil.

When is the best time to reseed a lawn?

Reseed your lawn to improve its look and quality, cover bare spots, and maintain its long-term health. According to the experts at Jonathan Green, fall is the best time to introduce new seed into an existing lawn of cool-season grasses.

How to make my lawn greener?

First, remove as many weeds as possible and get rid of rocks, sticks or other debris. Then cut the lawn short – from one to two inches in height. Use a soil pH tester to ensure that the pH is between 6.2 and 7. To rapidly raise the soil’s pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier, use Jonathan Green MAG-I-CAL ®.

How to apply Love Your Soil?

Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed. Plant the seed. Apply the Black Beauty ® grass seed with a spreader . Distribute the seed evenly and moderately, then lightly rake to distribute the seed within the top quarter-inch of the loosened soil.

Do you reseed Black Beauty grass seed?

Many homeowners do reseed their lawns in the spring with Black Beauty Grass Seed Mixtures and still enjoy great success because Black Beauty turfgrasses are so deeply rooted and drought tolerant.

Is it better to grow grass in cooler or warmer weather?

Soil temperatures are still warm, which is necessary for optimum seed germination, and cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. There will also be fewer weeds for the grass to compete with at this time of the year.

Can you use Love Your Soil on hard soil?

Loosen the soil. If your soil is hard or compacted, Love Your Soil ® will loosen and aerate it. It will also feed the soil microbes, making the lawn soil more alive and porous, and enhancing root and root mass development. Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed.