This process removes any final barriers between the grass seed and soil while also loosening the soil in preparation for seeding and germination. Follow test recommendations for using soil amendments and repairing bare lawn spots. Select the best fertilizer, and load it into a fertilizer spreader. Overseeding a lawn should be done when growing conditions for grass are at … Remember to choose a grass seed intended for your climate and perform a soil test to determine whether the lawn needs any extra nutrients to germinate and thrive. When you're on a quest for the perfect lawn, you're bound to encounter challenges. For many homeowners, overseeding is part of general lawn maintenance. For southern lawns and winter color, set the blade as low as it goes, and cut just above the soil—what's known as scalping. The premium fertilizer in Lawn Booster stabilizes nitrogen in the soil, to reduce leaching and other nitrogen loss to the environment. All content copyright © 2019 Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: Solved! Estate Mix is a blend of elite bluegrass varieties with perennial ryegrass added for quick germination in cool soils.Estate Mix is an excellent choice for late-season lawn renovating and early spring overseeding. At its most basic, overseeding adds more grass to a lawn without turning the topsoil. The key to successful overseeding is having good seed-to-soil contact. Improve the Soil. The warm soil encourages seed germination, cool fall air stimulates growth, and soil moisture stays more constant. For small spots, simply seed from your hand. Cool-season grasses seed best in the late summer and early fall. In Step 4 of my fall lawn renovation and overseeding process I completed the overseeding of the existing lawn using a perennial ryegrass. A dense stand of grass can be established by overseeding -- sowing grass seed into an existing lawn. Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance ; "Simple Tips," October 2014. Choose a time when the lawn is dry. After mowing, rake the entire lawn to remove dead grass, rocks, sticks, and any other debris. Avoid weed & feed products; the pre-emergent herbicides inhibit seed germination. Some jobs are better left to the pros. The next step is to figure out what kind of grass you have growing in your … MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Lawn mower – Rake – Soil test kit (optional) – Seed spreader – Fertilizer spreader – Hose – Sprinkler. The goal of overseeding a lawn is to get the grass seed in contact with the soil. Growing season differs in the North and the South, and so do the types … By Stacey L Nash and Bob Vila. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required. Pennington, One Step Complete, Smart Seed, and Ultragreen are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc. Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance is a registered trademark of NexGen Turf Research, LLC. Updating your lawn with improved seed genetics can give your lawn a much-needed facelift. You also can spread grass seed by hand if you don’t have a spreader. Fertilise the lawn – yet another crucial step in the process of overseeding is the proper fertilizing of your lawn. Some lawns might need overseeding once a year if drought or disease threaten the grass, and other lawns might need it every few years only to brighten the grass and keep it full. You want to make sure the new seed germinates and grows as quickly as possible. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. If the lawn has thatch (a compact layer of grass and soil), it might need aerating before overseeding. You can do your part to manage water usage, and keep your lawn. This easy-to-use product simplifies overseeding to give your lawn the boost it needs. Keep your newly revived lawn looking its best with a regular, comprehensive maintenance plan that includes diligent watering, best mowing practices and proactive overseeding. If a lawn has not been growing and greening as it should, doing a soil test can determine the soil type and pH. Arguably the best time to overseed is during September, or at least six weeks before temperatures reach freezing or there is an overnight frost. Slow-release fertilizer provides nutrients gradually, for as long as three months in some cases. Check with your local county extension agent about nutrient application restrictions. The first watering should be a heavy watering (about an inch of water). This method of overseeding should successfully fill in the lawn with lush, green growth. Moreover, the soil-enhancing gypsum in Lawn Booster corrects soil conditions to allow for better root growth, so your newly boosted lawn can flourish and be the talk of the neighborhood. Sulfur amendments, on the other hand, add acidity to alkaline soil. Phosphorus supports vigorous root growth, while nitrogen fuels top growth and greening. Fertilizing small yards often requires a small handheld spreader only, while larger yards will take less time and effort with a broadcast spreader. While seeding, the gardener adds grass seeds to the prepared soil in order to grow grass from scratch; on the other hand, overseeding is when the gardener scatters grass seeds onto a … Fall is the best time to overseed a lawn or repair thin or bare areas.Cool nights and mild, shorter days provide the ideal conditions for seed germination. Choose seed products that adapt to your lawn’s soil pH, sunlight, and how well it absorbs water. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Newly overseeded lawns need consistent moisture. Finally, water the lawn for a short time each day and don’t mow until the new growth reaches 1 to 2 inches in height. Before overseeding a lawn, it is important to choose a seed that is compatible with your grass. Some states and counties restrict phosphorus lawn fertilizers due to environmental concerns regarding runoff, but exceptions may be made for new seedings. Applying the right type of fertilizer for your type of lawn and the corresponding weather conditions in your area will benefit both the old and new grass. The best time for planting cool-season grasses in northern regions is late summer to early fall, when they're growing most vigorously. Work when the air is calm, so seed distributes evenly. Select a Quality Grass Seed. 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® Thick’R Lawn™ Sun & Shade, which combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into … Water in the morning to maximize the water intake. Plus, they stay green up to three weeks without watering. This encourages deep, healthy roots. Be sure you do not apply any pre-emergent herbicide prior to overseeding your Tall Fescue lawn. The absolute sweet spot for most northern regions of the U.S. is August 15 to September 15. Spring is the second best time. If needed, take time to dethatch and core aerate compacted lawns so air, moisture and seed can get to the soil. You need to water the seeds into your lawn immediately after spreading, and continue to water daily until the seeds germinate, which can take up to two weeks. Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Choose the Right Seed. How to repair a gravel driveway. Water the lawn – new seeds need regular watering. How to eliminate standing water using a subsoiler. Black Beauty® Fall Magic™ repairs summer damage and provides an attractive, thicker, greener lawn, with germination in 10 to 14 days. best time for planting cool-season grasses, grasses recommended for your regional climate, Pennington Ultragreen Starter Fertilizer 12-22-8, Professional Grass Advice for the Perfect Lawn. Grass seed grows and germinates best when daytime temperatures are around 50°F (10°C). The right seed density will depend on the thickness of the existing lawn, so some lawns might need less. Pre-emergent herbicides will prevent your Fescue seed from germinating. Mow your lawn extra short and remove the clippings, so new seed contacts soil and gets sunlight and water. Choose the right time of year to overseed. Black Beauty® Fall Magic™ repairs summer damage and provides an attractive, thicker, greener lawn, with germination in 10 to 14 days. If you’re not sure how to overseed a lawn, all it takes is the right tools, smart timing, and a little knowledge about your local climate. For example, if you have turf-type tall fescue, then use turf-type tall fescue seed or a blend of turf-type tall fescue seed and Kentucky bluegrass seed. Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. Your seed gets nitrogen for immediate feeding and for extended feeding for up to eight weeks, without extra fertilizer inputs on your part. This loosens and exposes soil to receive seed. How Long Does Grass Take to Grow? Late Season Bluegrass Overseeding. It is wise to apply grass seed strategically for the best results. Watering is one of the most important aspects of successful overseeding. Run a soil test two weeks prior to overseeding. "For many homeowners, overseeding is part of general lawn maintenance. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. Overseeding Your Tall Fescue Lawn Part 1: The Setup. For lawns in southern regions, overseeding warm-season grasses with cool-season reinforcements adds green color during winter. In just one application, your lawn will grow quicker, thicker and greener than ordinary grass—guaranteed. The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance service recommends overseeding at least 45 days before your average first fall frost.1 In southern areas, overseed thinning lawns in late spring, as warm-season grasses enter active growth. Then, apply the lawn fertilizer that works best for your type of grass. Part of learning how to overseed a lawn requires knowing when to overseed, which depends on the climate and grass type. In Iowa, late summer (mid-August to mid-September) is the best time to overseed a lawn. Some lawns might need overseeding once a year if drought or disease threaten the grass, and other lawns might … Use drop or broadcast spreaders for large lawns and handheld spreaders for smaller areas. Choose a grass seed designed for your climate or region and that complements the existing grass. To do that, the first step is to mow the lawn. Just about any cool-season grass seed mixture is good for dormant seeding. Additions of peat moss for clay soil and compost for sandy soil also can improve the nutrients in and condition of the lawn. That means less work and more leisure time for you. Make sure to bag the clippings so they don’t come between the seeds and soil. To insure a good over-seed for the winter, you need to eliminate the competition of your summer lawn and reduce the thatch that has accumulated over the summer. There's a secret behind achieving a beautiful, lush lawn. Keep seed and soil moist with frequent, light waterings twice a day for the first four days; water more heavily every other day for the next five days; then water as needed to prevent wilting. Then, scatter around the perimeter of the lawn first to make sure fertilizer reaches the edges. Learn when to overseed a lawn and how to overseed lawns for a lush green tu… Apply seed at label-recommended overseeding rates, using the lawn spreader that suits the job. The cooler temperatures slow the growth of the existing grass but give the seeds time to germinate and grow before the grass goes dormant. Set your mower at two inches or less for regular overseeding. Consulting the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map can help determine the average local climate to choose the appropriate grass type. This is accomplished by scalping and de-thatching, which is the removal of leaf and thatch accumulation to ensure the seed gets down to the soil. How to restore a pasture. Available in formulas for sun & shade or tall fescue lawns, Lawn Booster combines three essentials: seed, fertilizer and soil enhancer. Hands down, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. With the right grass seed and timing, overseeding will restore the lawn and make it hard to resist spending the day lounging in the yard. Starter fertilizer, such as Pennington Ultragreen Starter Fertilizer 12-22-8, delivers essential nutrients for new grass. Look for grass seed that’s rated by the National Turf Evaluation Program because these varieties have been tested and found resistant to disease, drought, and common pests. Solved! How to dethatch your lawn. Give your lawn the boost it needs, step-by-step or all-in-one. Overseeding is commonly recommended when otherwise healthy lawns exhibit brown patches or grass begins to die out in spots. For southern lawns and winter color, set the blade as low as it goes, and cut just above the soil—what's known as scalping. How do I overseed an existing lawn? Mow it shorter than usual so the grass seed will have a better chance of reaching the soil. Overseeding, if done correctly, will fill in bare spots in a lawn and choke out weeds. Then, when the weather starts to warm the following spring, you aerate and dethatch again, but you don’t have to reseed because the warm-season grass comes back by itself. Overseeding chokes weeds and fills out the grass until it’s thick and lush. The basics of overseeding are the same everywhere, but goals and timing vary based on geography and the type of grass grown. If there are puddles or the ground feels spongy, cut back on the watering time. "At its most basic, overseeding adds more grass to a lawn without turning the topsoil," according to BobVila.com. A few basic tools like a lawn mower, seed spreader, fertilizer spreader, and rake make up the basics needed for overseeding. Overseeding involves planting grass seed into an existing lawn without ripping the lawn apart in the process. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often. For the lawn of your dreams, don't wait to overseed until your lawn looks less than its best. But if bare spots peek through and weeds overpower the grass, the lawn might be more of an eyesore than a point of pride. Water conservation and a healthy, beautiful lawn aren't mutually exclusive. Better seed yields better lawns. Once you have determined that the cause is not insects, disease or mis-management, overseeding can help you recover the area with healthy blades of grass. If you have been looking for how to overseed your lawn in the spring, look no further than this step by step complete guide to spring overseeding! 1. The most common reason grass seedlings fail is because of over-application. The best way to overseed is to dethatch and aerate the lawn, then reseed, and top-dress (add a thin mulch). After that, your watering can be lighter. When is the Best Time to Overseed? Mow your lawn extra short and remove the clippings, so new seed contacts soil and gets sunlight and water. Soil amendments are different from fertilizers in that amendments have specific nutrients and chemical compositions for specific soil types. Set your mower at two inches or less for regular overseeding. Load the grass seed into a seed spreader and spread about 16 seeds per square inch of soil. Most consist of Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescues, and perennial ryegrass. If you're using grass seed to overseed your lawn instead of Scotts® Turf Builder® … For troubles beyond normal thinning, test your soil and make corrections before overseeding. Stacey L Nash, Bob Vila. Remove all of the clippings (bag them, then rake whatever … How to maintain a gravel drive. Overseeding is a simple process of adding seeds to the lawn to improve its quality and appearance. Pennington One Step Complete products combine premium seed with a stabilized-release fertilizer and wood mulch to simplify lawn repairs. When warm-season grasses go brown, overseeding with a premium, cool-season ryegrass, such as Pennington Perennial Ryegrass, provides a green temporary lawn while your permanent, warm-season grasses are dormant. It can be used in sun and shade lawn areas to overseed established lawns or to start new lawns from scratch. How to … Rake the soil with a metal thatch rake to remove thatch, clippings and debris. More evaporation occurs during the afternoon and evening, which means it will take more water to get the same benefits. Warm-season grasses grow best in a climate like that of the southern United States. How to Get the Best Results. Remove any rubbish from the surface of the lawn before mowing. A simple weekday lawn maintenance schedule can keep your lawn lush and your weekends free. That's year after year, for the life of your lawn. Keep in mind that if the soil has a neutral pH and is fertile, it likely needs no amendments. For success with overseeding your lawn, follow this basic guide: Homeowners overseed to correct thin lawns, but pros overseed to prevent thinning. How lawn overseeding rates impact your lawn repair success. How to aerate, fertilize and over seed your lawn. Otherwise, the grass seed used in overseeding won’t reach the soil to germinate and take root. It requires less work than totally reseeding or uprooting existing grass, allowing you to improve and maintain your lawn more easily. Mow the lawn closely. How to remove snow from a gravel drive. Landscape professionals know what it is, but many homeowners don't. There are different types of fertilizer spreaders, including a broadcast spreader, handheld spreader, snap spreader, drop spreader, and liquid sprayer. Always use grasses recommended for your regional climate and choose top-quality grass seed you can depend on. Aerating creates holes in the grass and soil through which water, oxygen, and vital nutrients can reach the new grass seed and the roots of the existing grass. To do that, the first step is to mow the lawn. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Rake the lawn to remove and break up the layers of dead matted grass or thatch. When learning how to overseed a lawn you must also pay close attention to when you do it. To prepare your lawn for overseeding: Mow your lawn shorter than you normally would. Chances are, your Colorado lawn is made up of one type or a blend of cool-season grasses. Wait until nighttime temperatures drop consistently below 65°F and your existing warm-season lawn slows and begins to lose color. Three-in-one Pennington Lawn Booster combines superior Smart Seed varieties with premium-grade fertilizer and soil enhancer. For example, lime, wood ash, and poultry manure raise the pH level of acidic soil to make it more suitable for certain plants and grasses. To reduce the competition from the established turfgrass, mow the lawn at a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. There is a right time and method to overseeding for successful coverage. Most importantly, a renovated lawn stays greener and looks thicker and healthier! In this case, the seed has time to germinate and grow before the warmest summer temperatures hit. How to build a rail fence. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. While applying grass seed may seem like an uncomplicated task, there are a few things to keep in mind before getting started. Aggressive bluegrass varieties will fill in routine damage, and perennial ryegrass adds durability in heavy traffic areas. Once established, these water-conserving grasses require up to 30 percent less water than ordinary grasses. How Long Does Grass Take to Grow? Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Overseeding—as part of a comprehensive, proactive plan—keeps lawns looking great. You don’t want to overwater, since this can wash the seed away, prevent germination, or encourage thatch development and the growth of fungus and weeds. Next, follow a pattern similar to a mowing pattern by moving in straight rows until the entire lawn is fertilized. Tough, warm-season lawn weeds, such as crabgrass and nutsedge, are less active in fall, too. Pennington Smart Seed products provide premium grass seed appropriate for sun, shade or high-traffic areas in lawns in northern or southern regions. 12 Storage Solutions for the Utility Closet, This Lawn Fungus Might Be Lurking Beneath the Snow in Your Yard, Finding the Right Type of Grass for Your Lawn, The Best Grass Seed Options for Your Lawn. You can isolate the overseeded areas from foot traffic for a couple of weeks while continuing to use the unaffected areas. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from lawn service professionals near you. After fertilizing, water the lawn for a short time each day. Seeding your lawn is an economical and satisfying way to introduce healthy turf to your yard. [1] X Research source If you can't overseed in September, overseed in early spring. The effectiveness of overseeding, whether done in the spring or fall, is enhanced when it is combined with lawn aeration.The process of extracting small cores of soil from the lawn is also called core aeration. A full, green lawn creates curb appeal and makes you feel like sipping an iced tea on the back patio. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall. Overseeding a lawn with weeds is much safer and cheaper than reseeding or using herbicides to fight off the weeds. Warm-season grass does best when seeded in the early spring to the early summer. How to Overseed and Fertilize Your Lawn Now you can spread your grass seeds evenly around the lawn using a broadcast spreader, drop spreader or handheld spreader. Pennington's here with premium grass seed and lawn care products to help you keep your lawn at its peak. Lime-enhanced, pure-bred Pennington Smart Seed, backed by years of breeding and research, adds beauty and sustainability. It can be used in sun and shade lawn areas on established lawns or to start new lawns from scratch. Lawns with cool-season grasses thrive in variable temperatures like those found in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. The goal of overseeding a lawn is to get the grass seed in contact with the soil. You should try to use a seed that is the same as your grass. Overseeding keeps your lawn competitive and steeped in youth and vigor, without starting over from scratch. For example, liquid fertilizer requires a liquid fertilizer spreader like one of these quality backpack sprayers, and mid-sized yards are more easily fertilized with a snap or drop spreader. For a simple, all-in-one approach to a thicker lawn, you can put your lawn on the fast track with Pennington Lawn Booster. The yard size and fertilizer type will determine which type of spreader is best. Whether you're tending your first lawn or have years of experience, learning how to overseed your lawn can improve your results. 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Is because of over-application have a spreader be used in overseeding pays off by the!