Do you need to overseed your lawn? If so, what type of grass do you want to put down on the lawn? Do you want a low-maintenance option or are you looking for something with more resilience?
Lawns are a crucial part of the residential landscape. They provide a place for children to play, adults to relax, and pets to run around. However, over time they can become overgrown with weeds or clover which will lead to an unhealthy lawn that is less attractive and enjoyable for anyone who spends time on it.
One way you can avoid this problem is by overseeding your lawn in the fall when temperatures cool down and grass starts going dormant for its winter rest period. It’s also important to note that overseeding does not necessarily mean you have a bad lawn! You may need extra seed after mowing if you prefer shorter grass than what already exists in your yard or if some areas of your property are more shaded than others
You’ll find everything from cool season grass seed to warm season grass seed so no matter what situation you may have going on outside – there will be something perfect for your yard!
What is Overseeding?
The term “overseeding” means to plant an additional patch of seeds, or an extra layer of seeds over the normal number. This should do two things: it will improve the aesthetics, and provide some extra help in growing/fixing a problem area.
Best Grass Seed For Overseeding
Here are the 6 Best Grass Seeds For Overseeding:
Fescue Grass Seed:
Fescue is a cool-season grass that can be used for overseeding. It grows very well in the northern states and Canada, and it’s a good choice for golf courses or other areas with heavy traffic. Fescue is hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 3 through 9, so it will grow almost anywhere in the U.S., but it does need full sun to thrive. It also prefers to be mowed at least once or twice per month during the growing season, so you must have plenty of time to maintain your lawn if you choose fescue as an overseed grass seed.
Kentucky Bluegrass Seed:
Kentucky bluegrass is another popular option for overseeding lawns because it has excellent cold tolerance and grows well even in shady areas. This type of grass seed germinates best when temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may want to wait until late summer before overseeding with this species. It’s hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, but it won’t tolerate soggy soil or flooding, so make sure your soil drains well before planting Kentucky bluegrass seed over existing turfgrass. This variety also needs regular mowing throughout the season, so keep that in mind if you plan on using this type of grass seed as an overseed grass seed option.
Perennial Ryegrass Seed:
Perennial ryegrass is a good choice for overseeding lawns because it germinates quickly in warm weather, which makes it an ideal option for late-season planting. This variety of grass seed is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, and it’s often used as turfgrass on golf courses because of its excellent wear tolerance. Perennial ryegrass is also resistant to many diseases, but it does require mowing at least once per month during the growing season to maintain a healthy lawn. It’s best to choose perennial ryegrass as an overseed grass seed if you have plenty of time to maintain your lawn or if you live in an area with very little rainfall.
Red Fescue:
Red fescue is another cool-season grass that can be used for overseeding lawns. It’s hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, and it requires full sun to thrive. Red fescue also needs mowing at least once per month during the growing season to maintain a healthy lawn, so you should only choose this variety as an overseed grass seed if you have plenty of time to maintain your lawn or if you live in an area with very little rainfall.
Tall Fescue:
Tall fescue is another cool-season grass that can be used as an overseed grass seed. It’s hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, and it requires full sun to thrive. Tall fescue is also resistant to many diseases, but it does require mowing at least once per month during the growing season to maintain a healthy lawn. It’s best to choose tall fescue as an overseed grass seed if you have plenty of time to maintain your lawn or if you live in an area with very little rainfall.
Annual Ryegrass:
Annual ryegrass is a warm-season grass that can be used as an overseed grass seed. It germinates quickly in warm weather, which makes it an ideal option for late-season planting. This variety of grass seed is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7, and it does well on golf courses because of its excellent wear tolerance. Annual ryegrass is also resistant to many diseases, but it does require mowing at least once per month during the growing season to maintain a healthy lawn. It’s best to choose annual ryegrass as an overseed grass seed if you have plenty of time to maintain your lawn or if you live in an area with very little rainfall.
Why Should You Overseed Your Lawn?
Overseeding is an easy way to give your current lawn that boost it needs so that it can thrive for years to come.
Here are 5 reasons to overseed your lawn:
1. Make Your Lawn Greener and Thicker
Overseeding is the best way to make your lawn greener and thicker. If you want a lush, thick lawn, then you should consider overseeding your grass in the fall or early spring before it starts to grow. This will give your grass a head start for the following year. You can also use an aerator to help your grass grow faster and deeper roots.
2. Stop Weeds from Taking Over Your Lawn
Weeds love to take over a weak lawn that has been neglected. One of the best ways to stop weeds from taking over your lawn is by overseeding it every year in the fall or early spring before it starts growing again. This will help thicken up your lawn and stop weeds from taking over it so easily next year. It’s also important to mow your grass at least 2 inches high, fertilize regularly, water when needed, and aerate frequently if you want a healthy lawn that doesn’t have any weeds growing in it. Make sure not to spray weed killer on your grass until you know what kind of grass you have because some types are more sensitive than others!
3. Save Money on Grass Seed and Fertilizer
If you choose not to overseed this year but still want a nice green yard without any weeds growing in it, then consider using fertilizer instead of buying new seed for your yard each season. Fertilizer is cheaper than buying new seed each season and will do just as good as job as overseeding would do if used correctly! You can find organic fertilizer at most garden stores if you don’t want chemicals sprayed on your yard! Don’t forget about watering too! Watering once a week during hot summer months will keep your grass looking green all summer long! Also make sure not to mow too short because this can cause weeds to grow out of control in no time! Mow only when needed (usually once per week) at least 2 inches high so that the sun can reach the top layer of dirt where weed seeds are most likely going to germinate! Also don’t forget about aerating!! Aerating helps loosen up compacted soil which allows air, water, nutrients and sunlight into the ground making it easier for plants (especially those with deep roots like turfgrass) absorb these things more efficiently which helps them grow better! There are several ways to aerate your lawn, but the best way is by renting an aerator or buying one and doing it yourself!
4. Boost Your Lawn’s Health
Overseeding will help your grass grow thicker because you are adding new seeds into your yard. This will give your grass a head start for the following year which helps prevent weeds from growing in your yard next year. You can also use an aerator to help break up compacted soil so that roots can grow deeper and get more nutrients from the ground making them healthier. Fertilizer will also help boost your lawn’s health by providing it with nutrients to make it look greener and stay green longer! If you choose not to overseed this year but still want a nice green lawn without any weeds growing in it, then consider using fertilizer instead of buying new seed for your yard each season. Fertilizer is cheaper than buying new seed each season and will do just as good as job as overseeding would do if used correctly! You can find organic fertilizer at most garden stores if you don’t want chemicals sprayed on your yard! Don’t forget about watering too! Watering once a week during hot summer months will keep your grass looking green all summer long! Also make sure not to mow too short because this can cause weeds to grow out of control in no time! Mow only when needed (usually once per week) at least 2 inches high so that the sun can reach the top layer of dirt where weed seeds are most likely going to germinate! Also don’t forget about aerating!! Aerating helps loosen up compacted soil which allows air, water, nutrients and sunlight into the ground making it easier for plants (especially those with deep roots like turfgrass) absorb these things more efficiently which helps them grow better! There are several ways to aerate your lawn, but the best way is by renting an aerator or buying one and doing it yourself!
5. Save Time Mowing Your Yard
Overseeding will help your lawn grow thicker and greener which means you won’t have to mow as often! This will save you time each week because you won’t have to mow as often. If you choose not to overseed this year but still want a nice green lawn without any weeds growing in it, then consider using fertilizer instead of buying new seed for your yard each season. Fertilizer is cheaper than buying new seed each season and will do just as good as job as overseeding would do if used correctly! You can find organic fertilizer at most garden stores if you don’t want chemicals sprayed on your yard! Don’t forget about watering too! Watering once a week during hot summer months will keep your grass looking green all summer long! Also make sure not to mow too short because this can cause weeds to grow out of control in no time! Mow only when needed (usually once per week) at least 2 inches high so that the sun can reach the top layer of dirt where weed seeds are most likely going to germinate! Also don’t forget about aerating!! Aerating helps loosen up compacted soil which allows air, water, nutrients and sunlight into the ground making it easier for plants (especially those with deep roots like turfgrass) absorb these things more efficiently which helps them grow better! There are several ways to aerate your lawn, but the best way is by renting an aerator or buying one and doing it yourself!
When Should You Overseed a Lawn?
Overseeding is best done when the lawn is actively growing, which means early spring or late summer. This will give the grass seed a chance to get established before winter. The ideal time for overseeding is when the lawn has just been mowed and there are no clippings left on it. This will ensure that the seeds have lots of room to grow as they germinate.
Cool-Season Grasses:
If you have a cool-season grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass or fescue, then you can overseed your lawn in either early spring or late summer. If you choose to do it in the spring, then make sure that you apply a starter fertilizer first. This will give the new seedlings a boost to get them off to the best start possible.
Warm-Season Grasses:
If your lawn is made up of warm-season grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine, then try to overseed it in late summer. The seeds should germinate and start growing before winter sets in and they’ll be well established by the time warm weather rolls around again. Cool-season grasses will grow fine if overseeded in the fall, but warm-season grasses need a head start on cooler temperatures if they’re going to survive winter.
How to Overseed a Lawn
You will need a trowel or small shovel, bent-grass seed (or another type that does well in your region), water, fertilizer, starter fertilizers like a liquid nitrogen fertilizer or cow manure compost tea with molasses added, organic matter such as shredded leaves or straw mulch if you have it on hand from last fall.
1. Remove the old grass
Most lawns have a layer of dead grass that has accumulated over time. To remove it, use a rake or shovel to scrape off as much as possible. If you have a thick layer, consider using a power tool like a sod cutter or lawn mower to remove it.
2. Use a topdressing fertilizer
A topdressing fertilizer is applied on top of the soil and helps create conditions for new growth. It will also help you get your money’s worth from your seed purchase by helping the seeds germinate quickly and grow strong roots quickly. Apply it at the rate recommended on the product label.
3. Water the lawn
Watering helps create conditions for seed germination. It also helps to soften the soil so that the seeds can easily penetrate it. Water your lawn as soon as you finish applying the topdressing fertilizer. Keep watering as often as needed until the seeds have germinated and grown strong roots.
4. Spread the grass seed
Spread your grass seed over the surface of your lawn at a rate recommended on the product label or based on how much area you plan to overseed in one application. You can use a rake, broadcast spreader or drop spreader to apply it evenly across your lawn’s surface. If you’re using a drop spreader, make sure to set it to apply just enough seed – too much will cause thinning and bare spots in your lawn later on when it grows in. If you’re using a rake or broadcast spreader, use it sparingly – over-seeding can cause thinning and bare spots later on when it grows in, too!
FAQs
Can you put grass seed on top of an existing lawn?
It’s up to you, really. If you have a very thin layer of existing grass, then it might be fine to put the seed on top. No one can predict how good or bad the results would be until they happen – so you might have good luck with a thicker spread and no problems at all! But if your lawn has more than an inch of roots in place, it’s best to dig them out and lay down some sheets of weed barrier before applying seed over that. This should dissuade anything from growing up through while the new grass tries to take hold below! Good luck!
What is the best time to overseed your lawn?
Spring is the best time to overseed your lawn.
The best dates for the following areas of North America are: Western Region April 15th-May 1st; Central Region March 31st-April 14th; Eastern/Central Mountain Regions March 10th-April 15th.
You want to wait until all chance of frost has passed and temperatures reach over 50 degrees Fahrenheit in order for the seed to have a better chance of establishing itself. In addition, you should consider not only bare ground but also what’s hiding under it: those little weed patches that can sprout up when we least expected them last season can be reseeded this way too! Finally, don’t forget the right soil – reviving an ordinary patch of