When to Overseed
The weather, kids, and pets can be tough on lawns. Lack of water, too much heat, wear & tear, and other problems can make it look worn and thin. You can help reinvigorate your lawn by overseeding. In the North, spring and fall give you the ideal conditions for cool-season grass seed: cooler temperatures and more moisture. In the South, late-spring through early-summer provide ideal conditions for overseeding warm-season grass. Just follow these simple steps to overseed for a thicker lawn.
Thicken Your Lawn by Overseeding
Why Overseed Your Lawn?
By applying grass seed over an existing lawn, you can help fill in bare spots and reinvigorate your lawn. It’s an easy and effective way to strengthen your lawn and thicken your grass to help naturally protect against weed problems.
Overseeding helps to:
- Revive a worn and thin lawn
- Fill in bare spots
- Crowd out weeds by thickening lawn
- Improve heat and drought tolerance
How to Overseed
1. Prep
Before overseeding your lawn, you should mow your lawn at the lowest setting and bag the clippings. This will allow the seed to come into contact with the soil when you spread it. After mowing, rake to remove debris, dead grass, and loosen soil.
2. Seed
Now comes the easy part. Fill up your Scotts® spreader with grass seed, adjusting the setting according to label directions and apply. For best results, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food For New Grass before watering to help new grass grow thicker and quicker (vs unfed).
Seed Tip: Use the reseeding settings on the back of your seed package.
3. Water
To get your seed going, water your lawn once or twice per day based on weather conditions, until the new seedlings have reached the height of your existing lawn.
Water Tip: Use a water timer to help you mist your lawn frequently.
Lawn Tip: You can continue to mow your lawn as needed, but try to limit the activity on your lawn until your new seedlings have reached a mowing height.
FAQs
Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required.
Why is it important to overseed a lawn? ›
Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required.
What is the best seed for thickening grass? ›
In general, Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Bermudagrass are excellent choices for most lawns. Kentucky Bluegrass has that traditional lawn aesthetic, while Tall Fescue offers excellent durability, and Bermudagrass provides quick coverage and drought resistance.
What do I put on my lawn after overseeding? ›
You should apply a starter fertilizer to your lawn after overseeding. One essential aftercare step you'll want to take following overseeding is applying a starter fertilizer. A starter fertilizer contains small amounts of vital nutrients that'll give the seeds a kickstart to germinate and establish roots.
Should grass be wet or dry when overseeding? ›
Mow the lawn prior to overseeding. Water the lawn to moisten the soil, but make sure it's not soaking wet. A good rule of thumb is to water the day before you plan to overseed so the soil has a little time to dry.
What is the best grass seed for overseeding? ›
Types of Grass Seed: Grass seeds like Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass can be an excellent option for overseeding, but it's best to know the existing grass you have and start from there.
Will grass thicken on its own? ›
We know what you're thinking: Will grass thicken on its own? That would be great! But, no. So, you could spend your hard-earned weekends fertilizing, aerating, seeding, weeding.
How to fix thin grass? ›
Fertilize in spring when temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and grass growth has resumed. A mid-summer and early fall fertilizer treatment can also lead to healthier growth. You have two main options for repairing a thin lawn: overseeding or sod installation.
What is the best month to overseed your lawn? ›
FAQ About Spring Overseeding
For warm-season grasses, late spring, specifically around May, is ideal. On the other hand, the preferable seeding window for cool-season grasses is in the fall, from late August to early September, and alternatively in early spring, around March.
Can you use too much grass seed when overseeding? ›
As you plan your seed spreading strategy, however, it is important to note that using too much grass seed does not create a lusher lawn. In fact, your grass actually struggles and may fail completely with excessive grass seeds across the topsoil.
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.
How do I make my grass super thick? ›
How to Thicken Your Lawn
- Manage Your Soil Properly. ...
- Fertilize Regularly. ...
- Irrigate Appropriately. ...
- Mow Regularly. ...
- Aerate Properly. ...
- Overseed or Plant Grass Plugs. ...
- Prevent and Control Weeds. ...
- Prevent and Treat Disease.
Seed and Feed
One of the most effective ways to get your grass to grow quickly is to fertilize right after you plant. For use on all grass types, reach for Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass, which helps grass grow up to 70 percent thicker and 35 percent more quickly (vs. unfed).
Why is my grass seed not coming in thick? ›
Water. Water is necessary for seeds to germinate, but too much water can hinder germination. While watering newly planted grass seed is good for growth, overwatering will drown the new seeds, making them float to the surface instead of taking root in the soil. This is why excessive spring rains can delay germination.
Can I just throw grass seed down on an existing lawn? ›
Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often. Overseeding keeps your lawn competitive and steeped in youth and vigor, without starting over from scratch.
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.
How do you prepare the ground for overseeding? ›
Mow Low. Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating.
