The Importance of Overseeding Your Lawn

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed directly over existing turf. This is an important part of lawn maintenance, and when performed regularly and properly, it can actually improve the health and appearance of your grass. The lawn care pros at Lawn Pride answer some of your frequently asked questions and share a few expert suggestions for overseeding. Follow these tips for a thicker, greener, and healthier lawn.

Why Should I Overseed?

Did you know the average blade of grass only lives for a month or two? Just like people, reproduction rates of grass begin to slow as the plant ages. Because of this, it’s important to keep your lawn young. Overseeding helps you do just that. It is simple and equally effective. Overseeding is an easy way for homeowners to fill in bare spots, improve thickness, and enhance a lawn’s color by establishing more tolerant grass varieties. Overseeding works by simply growing grass to create a thicker lawn. A thicker lawn becomes more tolerant to drought conditions while naturally protecting your yard from weeds, diseases, and even insects. Another important note: Aeration, combined with overseeding, is the single best thing you could do for your lawn. This process breaks up soil compaction, providing a path for more air, nutrients, and water to the root zone.

When’s the Right Time to Overseed?

Fall is the time to consider overseeding! Currently, the soil is still warm from the summer months while the days are often cooler. This combination aids in quicker germination, making the fall a perfect time to overseed. Many lawns around Central Indiana consist of cool season grasses that benefit from overseeding in the early autumn months. Germination continues to happen after the traditional “growing seasons” of spring and summer. After winter comes and goes, that same grass will have additional time to grow heartier before next summer’s heat arrives.

How Do I Overseed?

This process can be completed in three steps.
  1. Prep. Start by mowing your lawn. Set your mower or tractor to its lowest setting, and be sure to bag your clippings. We don’t normally recommend giving your grass a buzz cut, but in this case it will help the seed reach the soil. Once your lawn is mown, take a garden rake to it to help loosen soil and remove any debris.
  2. Seed. This is the easy part. Using a spreader or simply your bare hands, apply an even layer of seed making sure to follow instructions on the package. Since different situations call for different amounts of seed, we do recommend using a push or handheld spreader for a more uniform application.
  3. Water. Your new seed needs nutrients to grow, so make sure you follow those same instructions when watering your lawn. The goal here is at least once a day, depending on Mother Nature, until the seed takes root, turns to grass, and catches up with the rest of your lawn. Set your irrigation system if you have one, or use a water timer to help remember when and how much to water. Unlike overseeding, you never want to overwater your lawn.

Most Importantly, Call the Experts

Overseeding is relatively simple and straightforward, but it does take patience, commitment, and a keen eye. We recommend that you contact the experts for the most effective outcome! Our passionate pros love your lawn almost as much as you do, and our results speak for themselves. Contact us and prep your lawn before the cold arrives!