Should you be overseeding your lawn this spring?
The short answer is yes your lawn can benefit from overseeding in the spring, but if you can possibly wait till the fall you will likely experience better results. If your lawn is in bad shape and you do not want to wait till the fall to overseed there are some things you should know to set yourself up for success. Do it as early as possible.
Why, when and how to dethatch your lawn?
“Dethatching is typically done when the lawn is growing and able to repair and recover, and when weather conditions are conducive to survival (not too hot, cold, dry, wet…),” Mann says. In most growing regions of the U.S., this means the spring or fall, when warm temperatures and ample precipitation promote rapid and hearty grass growth.
When to seed and fertilize your lawn?
When to Fertilize a Lawn
- Spring Fertilizing. Contrary to popular belief, the lawn does not need to be fertilized at the first sign of nice weather in the spring.
- Summer Fertilizing. A lawn will use its late-spring feeding to restore its carbohydrate reserves, so it can get through the ups and downs of summer.
- Fall Fertilizing. ...
- Get Local Advice. ...
Should I seed my lawn in spring or fall?
Fall is the best time. The autumn season comes with a mix of warm soil and cool air, perfect for planting grass seed and allowing time for new grass roots to develop before winter sets in. It is also a good time to fertilize to build stronger, deeper roots for winter, resulting in a thicker, greener lawn next spring.
When should I reseed my lawn in Texas?
In warmer climates like Texas, late spring is the perfect time to reseed, just in time for warm-season grasses to enter their active growth period. You can also plant in early fall, but you should be prepared for your grass to go dormant once winter rolls around.
What is the best month to overseed your lawn?
fallHands 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.
When should I fertilize and seed my lawn in Texas?
In general, fertilize twice a year – once in spring and again in fall. The timing of the spring application will vary by year due to our erratic weather in Texas. Spring fertilizer should not be applied until the grass is actively growing. I recommend waiting until the lawn is at least 50% green before fertilizing.
Is it better to overseed lawn in spring or fall?
Fall is the best choice. The soil is still warm which means the seed will germinate faster. Also, weed growth tapers off after summer, so your new grass won't have to compete for sunshine, water, and nutrients. Overseeding in spring is the next-best option.
Can I just throw grass seed down on existing 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.
Can I overseed in spring?
Adequate and timely overseeding in spring will revitalize and replenish the earlier growth of rich green grass without damaging or disturbing the surrounding healthy turf.
What is the best grass to grow in Texas?
The 7 Best Grass Types for Texas WeatherZoysia. Zoysia is a grass option that many Texas homeowners are very happy with. ... Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is an extremely common grass type, especially in the Texas climate. ... Centipedegrass. ... Carpetgrass. ... Buffalograss. ... St. ... Bermuda.
Should I fertilize my lawn in February?
Timing: Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).
When can I top dress my lawn in Texas?
The weather needs to be warm enough that the grass is growing, but not so hot that a layer of soil will smother and bake the ground. Typically this means spring and fall. Top dress twice a year if you can. If you can't do it all at once, break it out and tackle it in pieces.
Is it OK to overseed in March?
But, depending on your grass type, overseeding in spring can yield good results, too, if it's done early enough in the spring to give seedlings enough time to mature before the onset of the summer heat.
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.
Should I 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.
What is the best way to overseed an existing lawn?
STEP 1: Mow and rake the lawn. The goal of overseeding a lawn is to get the grass seed in contact with the soil. ... STEP 2: Amend the soil. ... STEP 3: Spread the grass seed. ... STEP 4: Add grass seed fertilizer. ... STEP 5: Water the seeded lawn.
Should I 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.
When should you overseed your lawn in spring?
March days provide homeowners a chance to get a jump on spring overseeding projects. Grass seed sown in the first week in March has a 10 week head start on the weed and insect season that begins in earnest in mid-May.
How often should you overseed your lawn?
Some lawns that suffer from drought or disease may thin out frequently and need to be overseeded once a year. But for most lawns, you will only need to overseed every few years. Just keep an eye on your lawn, and overseed when it starts looking patchy.
When to Overseed
Warm-season grasses in the Central Texas and Austin area should be overseeded during their active growing period. This extends from late spring to early summer when the temperatures range from 70°F to 95°F.
Benefits of Overseeding
Overseeding is the process of spreading grass seed on an existing lawn, resulting in new growth and an additional thickness that makes it difficult for weeds to sprout. It replenishes lawns that are deteriorating due to heavy traffic, natural aging, and damage from pets.
Planning Ahead
Before overseeding your lawn, plan ahead to fix any existing problems that would prevent the growth of a healthy new lawn:
Preparing the Soil
For seeds to germinate they have to be able to contact the soil. Mow the lawn to a shorter height, 2 inches or lower, and collect the grass clippings in a bag attachment. Then rake the lawn with a metal rake to lift debris and any clippings from earlier mowings. You want the soil exposed.
Removing Thatch
Thatch is that layer of living and dead grass, plus other organic material, lying on top of the soil. It can build-up faster than it breaks down. A layer of more than 1/2 inch causes problems for your lawn by depriving it of essential nutrients, air, water, and sunshine. A thatch build-up can also prevent seeds from reaching the soil.
Aerating
Aeration is the action of creating holes in the soil. It’s done to break up compacted soil that’s preventing grass roots from receiving oxygen, water, and nutrients. As an added benefit, lawn aeration also breaks up thatch.
Overseeding
Popular warm-season grasses in the Central Texas and Austin areas that can be grown from seed include: Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and buffalo.
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.
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.
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.
What Is Overseeding?
Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into existing turf. It’s a great way to fill in thin or patchy areas and improve the lawn’s health and appearance. The key to success is selecting the right grass seed for your climate and soil type and ensuring the seeds have good soil contact.
Tools Needed to Overseed
If using the right grass, overseeding restores the lawn and makes it hard not to spend the day relaxing outside. You need a few simple tools — seeds, a fertilizer spreader, a lawn mower, and a rake. Then you’re all set.
Aeration Tips
For your lawn to germinate and take root, it may need dethatching or aeration before you apply seed. If it’s compacted, the grass seed will not reach the soil for rooting, so it needs aeration first.
Why Use a Professional Like Lawn Doctor?
A professional service like Lawn Doctor is a great way to ensure your lawn remains healthy and vibrant. You’ll benefit from information and strategies from professionals with years of experience in lawn care. Lawn Doctor’s specialists have all the knowledge and tools needed to complete any tasks.
When is the Best Time to Overseed?
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. Lawn grasses like that. Soil temperatures are ideal, too, resulting in quicker seed germination.
What is overseeding lawn?
Overseeding is a great way to repair damage and thicken thin areas before winter sets in. Many older lawns can also benefit from overseeding.
Why is overseeding important for lawns?
Many older lawns can also benefit from overseeding. Introducing new genetics to your lawn will result in a better appearance and performance. Old lawns contain obsolete seed varieties. Newer grass seed varieties are darker green and have better disease resistance and overall turf quality. Updating your lawn with improved seed genetics can give your lawn a much-needed facelift.
How long does it take for grass seed to germinate?
How to Maintain Your Lawn After Overseeding. Grass seed takes seven to 21 days to germinate. You’ll need to keep your lawn moist during this time to trigger germination. If you have an irrigation system, this is easy to do. Otherwise, you’ll need to set out a sprinkler or water smaller areas by hand.
What causes grass to shred in summer?
Summer can take a lot out of your lawn. Hot, dry conditions and heavy shade cause the most grass damage. Outbreaks of disease and insect activity can make matters worse. And if you have kids or pets, your lawn may be worn to shreds, exposing the soil beneath. Not good!
Can you apply starter fertilizer to overseeding?
Without a mature root system they can dry out quickly and die. Applying a starter fertilizer at the time of overseeding is not necessary. If you normally fertilizer your lawn, there are enough nutrients in the soil to get the new seed growing.
Can you spray weeds before or after seeding?
New grass seedlings can be damaged by herbicides if you spray weeds immediately before or after seeding. Always read and follow the herbicide label. A step-by-step approach to fall lawn care will guide you through the process, allowing your lawn to take just about anything Mother Nature or your kids will throw at it.
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Aerating your soil improves its circulation of air and water, allowing the grass roots to obtain the water, nutrients, and oxygen it needs for healthy growth. While some people prefer to hire a landscaping or lawn aeration service to perform this task, especially for large yards or tracts of lawn, others prefer to manage their own lawn care tasks.
Core Aeration vs Spike Aeration
The two basic methods of lawn aeration are core aeration and spike aeration. Core aeration is a more effective method of alleviating lawn compaction and is generally the better option, especially for lawns with high traffic and heavily compacted soil. Most landscaping and lawn aeration service providers also opt for core aeration.
What Is Overseeding a Lawn?
Aeration and overseeding are, in fact, separate lawn care tasks, but they’re often performed at about the same time. Overseeding simply means spreading new grass seeds onto your current lawn. Once you’ve aerated your soil, conditions are ideal for overseeding.
Types of Grass Seed
When choosing grass seed to overseed your lawn, you’ll want to consider your existing lawn type, as well as your soil type and climate. Using a variety of grass seeds is an effective method for growing a healthy lawn with superior weed control, pest resistance, and disease resistance.
When should you overseed your lawn in the fall?
Overseeding is best done in the early fall, between mid August and early October — so there’s still time to repair your yard. The main event you want to avoid is the first frost as any seedlings will perish.
How to overseed a lawn
1. Choose the right grass seed — Before anything else, make sure you’re planting the correct type of grass seed to match the rest of your lawn. Cool-season grasses are often found in the north, while warm-season grass frequents the south. If in doubt, consult an expert at your local home department store.
How often should you overseed the lawn?
The answer to this largely depends on the environmental conditions. If harsh weather, such as repeated droughts, takes its toll, grass could need overseeding annually to keep up with the damage. However, in most cases overseeding will only be necessary every couple of years.
What to do on the day of overseeding?
On the day of your overseeding project, there are a couple more steps to follow. If you have excess vegetation, then you will want to mow the lawn. With this process, the seeds will be able to root into the ground without any obstructions.
When is the best time to plant fescue seeds?
In the fall, the season produces enough water for the seeds without the threat of heavy rainstorms. When you overseed in the fall, there is less competition from those grassy weeds, such as foxtails or crabgrass. The autumn temperatures are still warm for your fescue seeds. These temperatures are vital for germination.
What direction should a fescue aerator be?
The aerator should move from north to south, and then you want to come back in an east to west direction . As you aerate, you will create pockets that allow for water, nutrients, and air movement near the root line. The right fescue seeds make a big difference for your yard. You will want to add high-quality seeds.
What is the last step in aerating a lawn?
Organic composts can provide nutrients for your soil. With these nutrients, you can get your lawn ready for the grass seeds. Finally, the last step is aeration of your lawn. With aeration, you can break up those clumps of compacted soil and provide some room for your fescue seeds to germinate. If you don’t have an aerator, you can rent one ...
How to spread fescue seeds?
These fescue seeds should be spread out in a grid-like pattern. You will want to start in a north-south direction for one section of the lawn and finish off the other side in an east-west pattern.
How long does it take for fescue to grow?
During the germination process, the soil needs to stay moist. With the proper care, your fescue will begin to grow in two weeks.
How to get seeds to germinate in my yard?
If you are looking for other ways to improve your seeds’ germination, you may want to rake your lawn to remove any other debris. By removing excess leaves and debris, the seeds can reach the soil for germination. When you are raking the lawn, look out for those low or high points in your yard. Any of those spots should be leveled out before you overseed.
How to optimize germination?
To optimize germination, light, frequent irrigation events should be implemented to keep seed damp but not saturated. Light, frequent (one to four) daily irrigation events are commonly provided until seedlings have emerged. Maintain this schedule of irrigation until germination begins. Gradually reduce the frequency after germination with the goal of deeper, less frequent irrigation.
Is winter overseeding feasible?
While not always economically feasible, the decision to overseed must be made in light of budget, available management resources, and the amount of trac received during the dormancy period.
When is the best time to oversee Bermuda grass?
Being as it’s a warm-season grass variety, the best time of the year to overseed your Bermuda grass lawn is from spring-early summer. This time of the year is usually the peak growth season for Bermuda grass and other warm-season grass species. In spring soil temperatures are usually warm enough to facilitate Bermuda seed development.
Why fertilize Bermuda grass?
This is because the fertilizer will accelerate the growth rate of the pre-existing Bermuda grass plants on the lawn, causing them to grow tall and shade the newly planted seedlings . The shade prevents the seedlings from receiving adequate sunlight, which is crucial for root development and growth support. The proper time to begin fertilization ...
How long does it take for Bermuda grass to germinate?
However- when planted under unsuitable conditions (say, early fall) – Bermuda seeds may take up to three weeks to germinate and even longer than that to be fully developed (8-10 weeks). Finally, don’t overseed a new Bermuda lawn unless it’s been established for at least 90-days.
How to accelerate turf establishment?
If you’re overseeding a lawn area that tends to experience heavy foot traffic, it’s advisable to incorporate a sand mix topdressing to accelerate turf establishment for the newly planted seeds. After that, you can drag the seeds to the soil level using a rake.
How to broadcast seeds in multiple directions?
This should be done some weeks before overseeding. After prepping the lawn, you can then broadcast the seeds in multiple directions using a rotary spreader. You can set the spreader to release just a few seeds at a time, as you move through the lawn.
Can you eliminate ryegrass in Bermuda?
As a side note, once the cold season is over and the ryegrass that was seeded over Bermuda is no longer needed, you can now eliminate the ryegrass to prevent it from competing for nutrients with the desirable Bermuda plants.
Is Bermuda grass a perennial?
Annual and perennial ryegrass. Since Bermuda is a warm-season grass variety, you can avoid having to live with a landscaping eyesore during winter by overseeding your Bermuda lawn with a cool-season grass species, including annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass. While annual ryegrass seeds are cheaper, this species has poor heat-resistance ...
