Learn the essential facts about overseeding your lawn.
If your lawn is looking weak and thin, overseeding can help you reinvigorate your lawn and return the thick, lush, green turf you prefer. Overseeding consists of spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, which helps thicken up thin areas. This is different from reseeding, which refers to planting a completely new lawn. In places with colder autumns and winters, such as Maryland, overseeding is an excellent task for the fall season. That is because, at this time, the soil is still warm, but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for your grass to compete against. If you believe your lawn can benefit from overseeding, read on to learn the basics of this lawn care maintenance strategy.
Mow Low
Before you begin overseeding your lawn, cut your grass shorter than usual, and bag your clippings. After mowing, rake your lawn to loosen the top layer of soil and remove dead grass and debris. This gives the new grass seed easy access to the soil, so it roots more easily after germinating.
Select Your Grass Seed
The type of grass seed you select depends on what you currently have. If your lawn is made of cool-season grasses, choose a product designed to thicken these lawns. Overseeding is an excellent method for filling in thin spots on your lawn, so you want the turf to be the same throughout.
Improve Your Soil
When using grass seed to overseed your lawn, it can be beneficial to rake a thin, .25-inch layer of enriched soil over your existing grass. Do not put down enough to hurt your existing grass, but just enough to help the new seed settle in.
Spread the Grass Seed
Finally, once you have prepared your lawn, you can begin the easy part of overseeding. Fill up your spreader, adjust the setting accordingly, and apply.
Feed and Water Your New Grass Seed
To give your new seedlings the nutrients they need for fast growth, apply a light fertilizer to your lawn. Then, make sure to keep your soil consistently moist by watering once or twice a day until the seedlings have grown to the height of the existing lawn. You should skip the next mowing after you have seeded to allow the seed to settle into the soil.
Once you have completed the overseeding process, you can rest easy knowing that your lawn is going into autumn and winter at its best and will emerge in spring, ready for healthy growth.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!