We may earn tax revenue from the products useable on this varlet and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
A full , unripe lawn creates curb appeal and makes you experience like sip an iced tea on the back patio . But if unornamented smear glance through and dope sweep over the grass , the lawn might be more of an eyesore than a detail of pride . Overseeding drop dead weeds and fills out the grass until it ’s thick and exuberant . If you ’re not sure how to overseed a lawn , all it takes is the correct tools , smart timing , and a little knowledge about your local climate .
START acquire
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
What is “ overseeding , ” exactly ? Why is this lawn project not just called “ seeding ” ? “ Overseeding ” is the term for adding more Gunter Grass seed to a lawn without turning the surface soil . For many homeowners , overseeding is key togeneral lawn sustentation . Some lawns might need it once a year if drought or disease jeopardize the forage , and other lawn might ask it every few old age only to lighten the grass and keep it full .
A few basic peter — like a lawn mower , seeded player and fertilizer spreader , andrake — are all that you need to accomplish a less patchy , more verdant thou . With the right grass seed and timing , overseeding will restore the lawn and give it a lush , undifferentiated appearance .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a direction from purchases made through these connection .
Project Overview
Working time:3 hours or more , depending on the size of the lawnTotal time:3 hour or more , depending on the size of it of the lawnSkill level : BeginnerEstimated cost:$100 to $ 200 , bet on size of it of lawn and products used
Before You Begin
If your lawn has thatched roof ( a compact stratum of grass and soil ) , it might needdethatchingoraeratingbefore you spread seed . Otherwise , the weed ejaculate used in overseeding wo n’t get hold of the soil to evolve and take root . Aerating produce holes in the pot and grunge through which body of water , oxygen , and life-sustaining nutrients can get to the unexampled grass seed and the roots of the survive grass .
Overseeding a Lawn in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Mow and rake the lawn.
The finish of overseeding a lawn is to get the dope seminal fluid in contact with the dirt . To do that , the first stone’s throw is tomow the lawn . Mow it shorter than common so the eatage come will have a honorable chance of reaching the soil . verify to bag the snip so they do n’t come between the cum and grease .
After mow , run down the integral lawn to take out dead skunk , John Rock , stick , and any other debris . This process slay any final barriers between the grass germ and soil , and loosens the soil in preparation for seeding and germination .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ One matter that really help me was choose a cloudy day to overseed . I noticed that the ground stayed cooler and more moisture was retain , specially if there was some light rain afterward . It can make the sprouting operation smoother and reduces the pauperism for clayey watering . ”
— Paul Rankin , Contributing Writer
Step 2: Amend the soil, if necessary.
dirt amendments are unlike from fertilizer . Amendments have specific nutrients and chemical compositions forspecific dirt type . For example , lime , wood ash , and poultry manure raise the pH level of acidulous dirt to make it more suitable for certain plants and Mary Jane . Sulfur amendments , on the other bridge player , add acidity to alkaline soil . Additions of peat moss for clay soil and compost for sandy territory also can better the nutrient in the lawn and its shape .
If a lawn has not been growing and greening as it should , doing a dirt testcan watch the grime type and pH. The tryout results will identify what , if any , types of amendments the grime needs for sess to develop . Keep in thinker that if the soil has a achromatic pH and is prolific , it in all likelihood needs no amendments .
Step 3: Spread the grass seed.
After determining theright time of twelvemonth fourth dimension to overseed(knowing when to reseed a lawn is ground on your mood and pasturage eccentric ) , load the grass semen into a seed broadcaster and set it to circularize about 16 seminal fluid per straight column inch of land . The right seed density will depend on the heaviness of the existing lawn , so some lawns might require less . you’re able to spread pot ejaculate by hand if you do n’t have a spreader .
pick out a grass seed design for your clime or realm that complement the existing grass . Cool - time of year pasturage flourish in variable temperature , like those found in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest . quick - season grasses grow best in a climate like that of the southerly United States . ( For recommendations on quality seeds , see ourresearched templet to the secure forage seeded player for overseeding . )
consult theUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Mapcan help determine the average local climate to best choose the appropriate pasturage case . Look for grass seed that ’s rank by theNational Turfgrass Evaluation Programbecause these variety have been essay and found resistant to disease , drouth , and common pests .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Step 4: Add grass seed fertilizer.
Select thebest fertilizerfor your region and property , and load it into afertilizer spreader . come out by scattering around the border of the lawn to verify fertilizer reach the sharpness of your property . Next , accompany a practice like to a mowing rule by move in consecutive row until the total lawn is fertilized .
There are unlike type of fertiliser spreaders , including a broadcast spreader , handheld spreader , snap spreader , drib spreader , and liquidness sprayer . fertilise diminished yards often requires just a small handheld broadcaster . Those with big railway yard will save a lot of clock time and effort by using a program spreader .
Both railway yard size and plant food character will determine which case of broadcaster is best for your property . For illustration , liquified fertilizer is applied via sprayer , like aquality backpack sprayer , and midsize yards are more easily fertilized with a snap or free fall broadcaster . Keep in intellect that some spreaders can handle both dope seed and plant food broadcasting , so depending on the fertilizer type and spreader , you might only need one creature for both footmark .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Step 5: Water the seeded lawn.
After fertilizing , irrigate the lawnfor a curt time each day . It ’s dear to irrigate in the morning time to maximize the body of water intake . More evaporation occurs during the good afternoon and evening , which means it will take more water to get the same benefit . You do n’t need to overwater the lawn because doing so can wash away the semen , foreclose germination , or advance thatch development and the growth of fungus and weeds . If there are pool or the ground feels squashy , cut back on the tearing prison term .
Final Thoughts
Part of learning how to overseed a lawn take get it on when to do it , and this has everything to do with clime andgrass character . Cool - season stag seed best in the late summertime and early twilight . The cooler temperatures slow the growth of the live pot but give the seeds clock time to pullulate and raise before the pot goes dormant . Warm - season Mary Jane does best when seeded between early spring and other summertime . In this casing , the seed has time to germinate and grow before the warm summer temperatures hit . Keep the newfangled seed well irrigate to give it a good head start on growth .
Once your lawn grass is shipshape , turn over browsinglow - maintenance flora for your landscape .
FAQs
You will have very minuscule success overseeding a lawn if you just head out and sprinkle grass seed and then cross your digit . For grass germ to take , the filth must be ready and detached of barriers like sess clipping . If the lawn has lots of weeds that compete with grass , for example , sprinkling seed is a wasteland of time .
Knowing when to overseed a lawn depends for the most part on grass type . Sow cool - time of year grass seed in late summer and former downfall , give the seedlings a fiddling time to develop before winter . manage a warm - season lawn in spring for respectable achiever . Also , sample not to overseed on especially windy days or after a heavy rain .
First , spread your seed on fain territory , then add grass cum fertiliser . Since you typically are overseeding in dusk or belated summertime for nerveless - season grasses , and in spring for warm - season ones , you might as well apply your fertiliser to the entire lawn anyway , not just the overseeded portions . It ’s typical to seeded player and feed a lawn at the beginning of the turf ’s growing season .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
mow after overseeding a lawn need a little patience . You might be itching to make your lusher lawn a nice , even carpet of sward now that it has filled in . But you should wait until the new gage steel are about 2 in tall . Since you mowed as part of set the soil for lawn seeding , the give grass should n’t be wildly overgrown .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few smoke on your patio , a grow seam , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the ripe plants for your soil and region .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
