TruGreen suggests following these steps before overseeding for best results and consulting your lawn care professional in advising on a full before and after seeding plan:
1. Decide on the type of turfgrass to use.
If your existing turfgrass hasn’t been performing well, overseeding your lawn with a newer, improved turfgrass variety that is suited to your local climate is often the best way to thicken your lawn through the overseeding process. The newer turfgrass varieties may provide better color and are better able to resist damage from drought, diseases, and lawn damaging insects. TruGreen takes the stress out of decision-making by partnering with seed growers to use the best grass seed for your lawn that is bred to withstand the stresses of your climate and thrive in your area.
2. Choose the right time of year to overseed your lawn.
This will also depend on where you’re located. Lawn care experts agree that early fall is usually the best time to overseed, but if you’re in colder regions, it’s advisable to overseed in the late summer when the daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage germination. Your TruGreen expert will be able to advise on the best time of year to overseed for your region.
3. Mow the lawn before you start the overseeding process.
Mowing before overseeding helps reduce excess material that could block the seed from getting to the ground. Reducing your mowing height is not recommended as it does not significantly aid the overseeding process and could damage your existing turf. Before overseeding, we recommend mowing at the standard recommended height for your turf species.
4. Water the lawn enough to moisten the soil but don’t saturate it.
TruGreen recommends watering the lawn the day before overseeding.
5. Aerate the soil before overseeding.
Use a professional aeration service, core aerator, or slit seeder to open up the soil to best receive the seed as soil to seed contact is critical for best results. You may be wondering if you can aerate after overseeding. We recommend aerating before applying seed, not after. Aeration removes thatch and pulls soil cores out of the lawn, making a good seed bed for your newly planted seeds to reach into the soil. Without aeration, your new grass seeds may not be able to reach the soil and germinate.
6. Fertilize your lawn after aeration.
Proper fertilization provides your lawn and soil with the nutrients it needs to promote your newly germinated seeds to establish and mature more rapidly. Just make sure to water the fertilizer into the soil to ensure it reaches the root system. If you are wondering if it is best to fertilize before or after seeding, either option may be advisable. However, if you do choose to fertilize before overseeding, it may be best to use a slow-release fertilizer variety. Multiple factors go into choosing the right fertilizer to promote germination of the new grass seed and your TruGreen professional will be able to pick the best fertilizer for your grass type, soil condition, and time of year. For more information, take a look at our comprehensive guide to aerating and fertilizing your lawn for overseeding.
FAQs
Prepare Your Lawn For Reseeding
- Be sure to pick grass seed that matches the grass type in your lawn. ...
- Test the soil to find out if it's missing any key nutrients, or if the pH is off balance. ...
- Mow the lawn prior to overseeding.
- Water the lawn to moisten the soil, but make sure it's not soaking wet.
Your best bet is to fertilize your newly seeded or overseeded lawn with Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass directly after seeding. Then, you need to wait 6 to 8 weeks before fertilizing again.
How do I take care of my lawn after overseeding? ›
It's important not to overwater your lawn, as this can lead to problems such as fungal growth, disease, and even death of the new seedlings. Instead, water your lawn lightly and frequently at first, then gradually increase the amount of water you're applying as the seedlings begin to establish themselves.
How long after overseeding can I walk on grass? ›
How long should I stay off my lawn after overseeding? If you are going to have an overseeding service performed, it is best to reduce foot traffic and wear on your lawn for up to 3 weeks after the seeding service. Your existing grass will help to protect the new seed.
Do I need to water my lawn after overseeding? ›
It's critical that you properly water your lawn after aeration and overseeding. Not doing so could have negative results such as a lawn that won't grow, wasted money, or needing to re-seed all over again.
Can I just throw grass seed on bare spots? ›
Can I Just Throw Grass Seed on Bare Spots? Throwing grass seed onto bare spots will result in little-to-no germination and will not help to repair lawn spots. If you want to fix patches on grass, you need to properly prepare the bare spots before laying down the seed.
What is the best Fertiliser after overseeding? ›
It's best to wait around 4 days after overseeding before you fertilise. Otherwise, the fertiliser may stop the seed from germinating. If you need to do it at the same time, make sure you use a fertiliser developed for young lawns, such as MOOWY's Lawn Starter.
Should I add topsoil when overseeding? ›
Although people who are establishing a new lawn may need to mix their grass seed with topsoil prior to applying it, this is not necessary when overseeding.
Can you overseed without aerating? ›
Aerate and dethatch, if necessary
Others say dethatching or power raking is enough, and you can overseed without aeration. If the soil is compacted, you should aerate it as part of your spring lawn care routine. Aeration loosens the soil, making it easier for grass roots to grow.
How do you treat grass seed after seeding? ›
A newly seeded lawn requires daily watering during dry periods. When conditions are windy and dry, the planted area may require several light waterings a day. Pay special attention to soil moisture on hot, windy days, when humidity is low. Sandy soils dry out quickly and require more frequent irrigation.
The best thing you can do for your grass after overseeding is give it rest, and your mower causes a lot of unrest. That's why it's smartest to wait around a week, or more if possible, to allow the new seeds to settle.
Should grass be wet when overseeding? ›
For best results, water all newly-seeded areas twice daily, beginning the day of seeding. The goal is to keep the seed moist, but to avoid standing water. Too much water will kill the seed. If you are not able to water twice a day, thoroughly water once daily for a longer duration.
Is it OK if it rains after overseeding? ›
Taking the necessary short and long term aftercare of seed and baby grass is an important consideration when determining how to overseed a lawn, but heavy rain after seeding can throw off all of the best laid plans.
Can you use too much grass seed when overseeding? ›
Quality grass seed labels include guidance on optimal seeding rates to maximize your results. Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.
Can I just throw grass seed down on an existing lawn? ›
When you just sprinkle grass seed on an existing lawn, it ends up just sitting atop of the soil and a lot of it may never germinate. Then homeowners end up asking the question, why can't I get my grass to grow? In reality, the best practice is to have lawn aeration performed followed by overseeding the lawn.
How do I prepare my lawn for grass seeding? ›
Rake to remove clods and smooth out the surface. Remember that you're establishing a finished grade, so include any contours needed for drainage. Add compost, topsoil and starter fertilizer and then work them into the soil. Spread the grass seed at the rate indicated on the packaging.
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on a lawn? ›
If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. Thoroughly rake the area to remove any loose debris and to create grooves in the soil. These grooves will help increase the seed-to-soil contact that is imperative for germination.
Should I spread topsoil before overseeding? ›
In many cases, it will not be necessary to mix your grass seed with topsoil, especially if you are overseeding. Overseeding is the method of choice for homeowners who have an already existing lawn. This involves planting grass seed directly on existing turf without moving the soil.
