The best time to clean your lawn is early fall.
August 15 to September 15 is the absolute sweetest time of the year for most northern regions of the U.S. That’s when daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage growth and nights get cooler, giving new seedlings a chance to take root.
But if you live in a colder climate, you may have to wait until late fall or early winter to start overseeding.
Table of Contents
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?
While it’s possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn prior to sowing will increase the chances of success.
How do you tell if you need to overseed?
If you don’t give your grass the care it needs before winter, your yard will die off. If your lawn is showing these warning signs, you should aerate and overseed your yard this fall: Brown patches spreading across your yard.
This is a sign that the grass is dying and needs to be aerated and re-seeded. You can also use a lawn mower to remove the brown patches, but be careful not to over-mow or you could damage the turf.
Do I fertilize or overseed first?
You can fertilize your lawn before or after overseeding. Your new grass seed will be fed by both tactics. The best time to fertilize is within 3 days after seeding. It’s possible to spread your starter fertilizer a few days before the first frost.
If you don’t have a lawn mower, you may want to consider using a hand-held lawn sprinkler. You can also use a garden hose to spray the lawn, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper watering.
Does overseeding actually work?
Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The amount of water,fertilizer, and other inputs needed to maintain the lawn is reduced by the investment in overseeding. Overseding older turfgrasses can also reduce the cost of maintaining the turf.
For example, an overseeded lawn will require less fertilizer and water than a lawn that has not been over-seeded. Overseeding also reduces the need for pesticides and herbicides, which can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
What is the best grass seed for overseeding?
Some good warm-season grasses are Bermuda grass and zoysia grass. Kentucky blue or tall fescue is a good choice for cooler climates. Bermudagrass is a perennial grass that can be grown year-round. It is easy to grow and requires little care.
The best time to plant it is in late spring or early summer, but it can also be planted in the fall or winter if you want to keep it in better condition for the next growing season. 1/2 to 3/4 inch of well-drained potting soil, 1 to 2 inches of fine-grained sand or peat moss, and a small amount of organic mulch.
If you don’t have any of these items on hand, then you can buy them at your local garden center or garden supply store. You will also need to water the soil thoroughly to prevent it from becoming soggy. When you are ready to start planting, dig a hole about 3 to 4 inches deep and place the seed in it.
Cover the hole with a layer of soil that is about the same size as the size of the pot you plan on growing the grass in.
Can I put topsoil over grass and reseed?
It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seeds. The cost of removing the old soil and replacing it with the new will be cheaper with this option.
If you do not have the time or inclination to dig up your lawn, you can use a garden trowel to remove soil from the surface of the grass. You can also dig a hole in the ground and fill it up with soil. The soil will then be ready for planting.
Does grass seed sit on top of soil?
As a general rule, grass seeds will try to grow on top of the soil, however, you will get poor results compared to grass seed covered with a small amount of soil. Grass seed that has been uncovered is likely to dry out, be eaten by birds, or be carried away by the wind.
Grass seed can be planted in the spring or fall, depending on the type of grass you are growing. The best time to plant is in late summer or early fall. If you plant in early spring, the grass will not be ready for planting until the following spring. You will need to water the seed several times during the growing season to keep it from drying out.
