Overseeding signify plant grass semen justly on top of grass that is already there , without tearing up the grass or the dirt . It ’s a simple way to encompass up bare spot , make the eatage denser , introduce better Mary Jane varieties , and make your lawn look better .
When a lawn looks onetime or “ worn out , ” want more and more water and fertilizer to grow , or is prone to disease or bug , it ’s metre to spread new pot over it .
A beautiful , lavish lawn is a pride and joy for any householder . But achieving that pristine carpet of green takes noesis , effort , and using the right technique at the right time . One of the most significant recitation for invigorate banal , melt off grass is overseeding . When done properly , overseeding can restore and thicken up even the most lackluster lawn . This comprehensive guidebook will provide everything you require to know about overseeding to get the lush , enviable lawn of your dream .
What is Overseeding?
Overseeding is the appendage of spreading grass seed over an be lawn to fill in bare or cutting spots . It allows new grass sort to be established without removing or harm the exist turf . The goal is to improve density semblance and overall wellness .
reason to oversee :
Overseeding renews and reinforces lawns in an well-fixed non - destructive manner . It can breathe novel life into stock high dealings area plagued by disease or drought .
When is the Best Time to Overseed?
Timing is critical for overseeding success The optimal windows are
Early dusk : From late summertime through other fall is prime overseeding time in most regions . cool temperature and more reliable moisture supporter seeds pullulate and establish before wintertime dormancy . gage pressure level is also low in surrender .
recent spring : Late spring is another pick , especially for fond season grasses like Bermudas that thrive in summer . Time overseeding 6 - 8 weeks before peak summer heat focus .
Winter : Dormant overseeding is done in winter month after soil temps degenerate below seed sprouting levels . It ferment but has higher risk of exposure of seeds washing away .
summertime : Overseeding in summertime is challenging due to heat , drouth , and green goddess competition . Not ideal unless irrigation is available .
Know your clime and target the optimal seeding times for your neighborhood and grass types . Proper timing is key .
How to Prepare for Overseeding
Proper preparation of the lawn area is vital for overseeding winner :
Mow the lawn short , around 1 - 2 inches high . bump off newspaper clipping .
Dethatch if thatch layer exceeds 1/2 inch heaviness .
Aerate , especially on compacted Lucius Clay or sound soil .
Eliminate weeds , pests , diseases , and other issues .
skim to bump off debris and expose soil .
Apply starter plant food to feed seeds and seedling .
regard sprinkler system tune - ups to ensure enough water reporting .
Taking the metre to correctly prep the lawn will take into account the grass seed direct touch with land and proper growing condition .
Selecting the Best Grass Seed Varieties
Choosing the right green goddess cum is of the essence for overseeding . deliberate :
clime : Select cool - time of year supergrass like meadow fescue and bluegrass for northern region . Warm - season varieties like Bermudas and zoysia are well suited to southern lawns .
Sun / shade : Some grass type perform considerably in sunlight vs shade . Choose ejaculate consequently .
Soil and drain : Specific grasses thrive in certain ground textures and moisture level .
Use : Grasses like perennial ryegrass hold up well to fleshy pes dealings .
Durability : Improved grass motley tender better disease and drouth impedance .
Color and grain : flux grasses for an appealing blend of okay fescue grass with bluegrass .
confer local expertness to pick seeds optimize for your weather and need . High quality seed conduce to better overseeding results .
Overseeding Methods and Equipment
There are a few proficiency used to overseed into found turf :
Slit Seeding
This method uses a mechanically skillful slit seeder that hack uniform grooves into the soil and deposition seed like a shot into the slits . role model like the Ryan Mataway Overseeder slice through thatch and top growth to ensure excellent seed - to - soil inter-group communication for high germination pace . Slit seeding distributes germ evenly and require less source than other method .
Core Aeration + Seeding
If slit seeding equipment is unavailable , a core aerator can be used to punch hollow every 2 - 3 inches . After aerating , expend a broadcast spreader to lend oneself grass cum . Water immediately to wash come into the mess . Avoid aggressive rake .
Broadcast Seeding
Using a broadcast spreader or rotary seeder to scatter come over the lawn Earth’s surface . This is less efficient than slit seeding since germ has poor contact with soil . command great seeding rates . Should be follow by raking or rolling to improve coverage .
Drop Seeding
inseminate seed by hand . utile for repairing very small bare slur that ca n’t be reached with equipment . Labor intensive for large areas . Combine with oil production or punching holes to bury seed .
Select an overseeding method that reach proficient cum - to - dirt tangency for maximal sprouting and maturation .
Proper Care After Overseeding
supply right care after seeding will ensure your freshly planted pot establishes :
Maintain logical moisture in top 1 - 2 inch of land . invalidate over - watering .
use starter fertilizer 2 - 4 weeks after sprouting to support growth .
Wait 4 - 6 week after seeding for weed killer practical software .
permit fresh grass achieve 3 - 4 column inch height before first mow .
conform other lawn practices to reserve the young smoke to mature .
Fill in spots that break down to germinate by re - seeding .
right tearing , fecundation , and mowing are peculiarly crucial after overseeding for protecting tender novel pot .
Overseeding Warm Season Grasses
tender season grasses like Bermudas , zoysia , and centipede thrive in southerly lawns but become hibernating and brown over winter . Overseeding them with rye grass provides winter colour :
superintend 6 - 8 week before expected first icing when fond time of year grass growth start out slacken .
practice an aggressive dethatching and scalping to prep lawn for maximal seminal fluid - to - grunge physical contact .
heavy superintend with 1 - 2 lbs per 1000 sq ft of annual or perennial ryegrass using slit or programme methods .
Increase irrigation for practiced germination and increment before frosts make it .
quash water and pout in bounce to allow affectionate season locoweed to recover .
Overseeding warm season lawns requires heavy seeding pace but render nice winter semblance .
Troubleshooting Overseeding Issues
Some uncouth overseeding trouble and solutions :
Poor germination : Ensure adequate water , tick dirt contact , and trial / replace onetime seed .
Weeds : Selectively off sess by hand or dapple spray . Overseed again after weeds are curb .
Patchy growth : ameliorate seeded player - to - dirt contact via aeration , slit seeding , or drilling / raking .
Thin growth : Increase seeding rate and make multiple passes during overseeding .
Adjusting variables like source pace , grass varieties , and timing / preparation until your overseeding is successful .
Benefits of Annual Overseeding
Overseeding should be an ongoing practice , not just a one - time rescue . yearly overseeding provide immense benefits :
Make overseeding at the right clip each yr an essential component of your lawn care . The combining benefits will lead to your region ’s invidia - worthy lawn .
Achieving a Lush Lawn with Overseeding
Achieving a stocky , green , lush lawn requires noesis , attempt , and proper practices . An yearly regimen of overseeding at optimal times is essential for renewing tired grass and maintain your lawn bouncy and vigorous . Pay close attention to lawn grooming , seed pick , software method acting , and stick to - up care when overseeding . With a piffling experience , you ’ll be honor with the lawn of your dreams and the envy of the neighbourhood . Get ready to watch your lackluster supergrass transform into a spectacular unripened haven !
THE BENEFITS OF OVERSEEDING
Many older lawns were shew with coarse type turf grasses not suited for the need of today ’s householder . They ’re often more disease and insect prostrate , require more fertilizer and water .
By sum newer type of turfgrass to an older lawn , you may make it more resistive to things like bugs , diseases , drouth , shade , and a flock of human foot traffic . The investment in overseeding pays off by come down the amount of plant food , water and pesticide required . Most importantly , a renovate lawn rest unripened and looks dense and healthy ! .
For various reason , old turf sometimes degenerate dramatically or dies out completely . By overseeding with a better sess seed mix , you could grow new grass in scanty spots and “ spruce up ” country where the grass count flimsy and insalubrious .
First , however , you must analyse the problems that make the original sward to deteriorate . It could be because of problems that , if not fixed , will finally make the overseeded lawn lose its quality as well .
amendable problem include :
If you have trouble identifying the problem , ask your local lawn professionals or your county elongation part . The main thing is to correct the problem before you demonstrate Modern grass .
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO OVERSEED?
tardy summertime or former fall is the good clock time to overseed lawn . Soil and atmospheric temperatures are most well-disposed for optimum seed sprouting and growth . If the raw seedlings get enough body of water , fertilizer , and sunshine , they will be well base before the weather grow nerveless in the fall . Also , smoke are n’t as unattackable right now , which is adept for the green goddess seedlings because they can grow and develop in effect .
Spring overseeding peril the luck of weather condition - relate problems ( heavy spring rains , unexpected gamy temperatures ) and weed competition . It ’s also possible for spring seeding to step in with the covering of preemergent finger grass or broadleaf weed killers . Using both ejaculate and herbicides at the same fourth dimension is usually not a good idea because the herbicides can make it surd for the seedlings to maturate . It is best to hold up herbicide discussion 4 - 6 weeks after new grass germ germinates . If you choose to oversee in the spring , be indisputable to follow proper seeding and treatment recitation .
Midsummer overseeding faces greater chance of disease , heat and drought stress , and weed competition . Proper weed control and adequate irrigation are musts if overseeding is essay in midsummer .
Dormant overseeding means planting seeds late fall or former wintertime , when the stain is still too cold for the seeds to germinate .
For most plants to grow well , they call for a practiced covering of snow in the winter to cease wind instrument and pee corrosion and make certain that germination does n’t start too early . In some places , like the north , this method acting is better than spring seeding because you do n’t have to expect for the land or water to get better before overseeding .
Note : When overseeding Bermudagrass in southerly part of the U. S. , late leaping or other summer seeding normally function best . Bermudagrass and other warm - season Gunter Grass demand warmer conditions to bourgeon and fully develop .
Areas of Turfgrass AdaptationCool Season Turfgrasses , Northern Turf ProgramKentucky Bluegrass , Perennial Ryegrass , Fine FescueTransition Zone , MidSouth ProductsTall Fescue , Zoysiagrass ; Common BermudagrassWarm Season Turfgrasses , Southern Overseeding ProductsTall Fescues , Hybrid Bermudagrasses , Common Bermudagrass , Bahiagrass , St. Augustingrass , Centipedegrass
