It’s officially late summer and many of our customers are starting to order grass seed for fall overseeding. Besides asking what sort of grass seed should be used for customers also commonly ask how to overseed a lawn. We are one of the top grass seed suppliers in the northeast and our article this week will focus on how to overseed a lawn. After reading this article, feel free to check out our page on our custom grass seed blends.
When to overseed a lawn in the northeast
Fall is the perfect time to overseed. The reasons for this are that the soil is still warm, but the air is cooler. Fall is also the time that summer weeds begin to die off. Grass seed can often grow faster and better when not competing with weeds. Trees are also shedding leaves which gives the grass seedlings more sunlight for germination. Lastly, turf diseases are less common in autumn so that means your seedlings are less likely to be attacked.
Mowing your lawn before overseeding
Before you start the process of overseeding, you’ll want to mow your grass. Cut it lower than normal and bag the grass clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to loosen the soil up and remove dead grass and debris. Doing all of the above will give the grass seed easy access to the soil for easy germinating.
Aerate your lawn before overseeding
Many lawns become compacted in the summer. This happens when there is heavy foot traffic and excessive moisture, lawns become compacted. With lawn compaction, air and water cannot reach the roots of the new grass seed. Aerating your lawn will relieve lawn compaction and allow your grass seedlings to grow freely. You can read more about aerating your lawn here.
How to overseed a lawn
When you start the process of overseeding, try to use a broadcast spreader. Using a spreader ensures that the seed will be spread evenly. After the grass is spread, you’ll want to use a slow-release fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizers provide nutrients at a gradual pace for three months. You’ll also lightly the water right after spreading the seed. Continue to water the new seed regularly. Three to four times daily should be enough and once the grass is an inch tall, you can cut the watering back to once a day.