Is your yard in some need of rejuvenation? Then overseeding your lawn may be just what you need. Here are some quick tips to get you started
Set The Groundwork
Start with some preparation.
Measure your yard
Take the time to measure the length and width of the area you are overseeding. This will give you an idea of how much seed you’ll need, which can save you a few dollars and more importantly ensure you have enough seed to get the job done in one go.
Mow low & Clear Grass
Mow as low as you can, without scalping your lawn, and remove the clippings. This allows the new seeds to make direct contact with the soil which is needed for them to grow.
Aerate (optional)
Before you overseed would be a great time for you to aerate your lawn. Besides being very effective against soil compaction, the holes that it creates allows seeds to easily enter the soil. Check out our guide on How to Aerate Lawn
The Overseeding
This is the easiest part of the process in my opinion.
Spread seed
Spread the seed evenly over that required area and using a lawn spreader allows you to achieve this easily. Seeding by hand is ok if the area is small but ensure that you don’t clump the seeds.
Cover exposed seeds
Seeds are susceptible to the elements (high winds, heat, etc.) so cover any seeds in bare patches with a thin layer of soil.
The maintenance
To ensure the seeds you’ve used grows into the lawn you want:
Fertilize
After overseeding apply starter fertilizer to help enable healthy growth.
Water
Your water habits for new seeds are kind of the opposite to a well established lawn. You want to water lightly and frequently because deep water can drown the seeds. As the seeds begin to germinate, you can then start to increase the amount of water and decrease the frequency.
The first mow
Your first mow after overseeding should follow the guide of, mow when the grass tells you to and not when you want to. But if you want a general idea then this should be around a height of 4 inches or so. For a complete guide on mowing check out our article Lawn Mowing Tips & Tricks.
And that’s it
Yes really, that is all there is to it.
