Overseeding Lawn

Overseeding lawn. If you have determined that you need to overseed your lawn, you are in the right place. If you are wondering about what overseeding is then click here to read what is overseeding.

Now that you are going to take the leap into overseeding your lawn you need to determine a few things first.

1. Are you going to overseed your whole lawn or just areas of it. Sometimes you only have an area that isn't looking just up to par and you can avoid the work and expense of doing the whole thing.

2. Has the area that you would like to overseed been taken over by so many perennial weeds that your grass just doesn't have a chance at growing through it anymore?

3. Maybe the lawn is just fine the way it is but it just isn't as thick as you would like it. These are some things you need to consider so that you can determine where to start.

If your lawn has been over taken by weeds you will need to spray the area with a non selective herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup®) It will kill all broadleaf weeds and perennial grasses. In addition glyphosate is deactivated when it comes in contact with the soil so that it will not leave a residue that will damage the germinating seeds. Follow the label directions to determine when you can move on to the next step.

Next scalp the area by mowing it as low as possible by setting your mower to it's lowest setting. This will leave some grass to act as a natural mulch, but not long enough to block the sunlight.

Rake up the clippings.

Cultivate the soil using a power rake to further thin the left over grass and expose the soil. The blades should cut slightly into the soil and loosen it so that the new seeds will make good soil contact.

If your soil is heavy clay or is seriously compacted, aerating at this point would be very beneficial.

Next apply seed over the site at the same rate you would use for starting a new lawn.

Use the power rake to go over the site again to help work the seed into the soil.

After seeding apply a starter fertilizer to the area at a rate of 1 lb. of actual Nitrogen per 1,000 Square Feet.

Keep the seedbed moist, but do not drown it. Do this until you can see the grass coming up, then slowly start to cutback on the water which will make the roots start to go down deeper in search of water.

Start mowing as usual when the grass becomes it's normal cutting height.

I hope that the information on this page has helped with your questions about overseeding lawns, but if you need more info please contact us and let me know.

And remember - Have a Happy Lawn ! ! !

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