Remember these tips when overseeding your lawn this spring.
When you have a healthy lawn, it elevates everything around it. Your entire property can be improved by the appearance of a green, lush lawn without thin or bare spots. If you notice that your lawn is thin or patchy in some areas, you can schedule overseeding to help those areas grow back thick and beautiful. This process can be relatively straightforward, especially when you consult with the experts at Scientific Plant Service. Before overseeding your lawn, remember these tips for success.
Mow Your Lawn
Prepare for overseeding your lawn by mowing the existing lawn to 1.5 to 2 inches. This shorter mowing height is ideal for good seed-to-soil contact. You can bag or rake the clippings to decrease the chance that the seed will get caught in grass blades. Instead, seeds will more easily make direct contact with the soil.
Choose the Right Turf Seed
Some turf species can tolerate shade, while others grow best in full sun. Some species can tolerate foot traffic, while others grow in dry conditions. Grass seed is not “one size fits all,” so searching for the best seeds is critical. You can work with the lawn care experts at Scientific Plant Service to find the ideal grass seed mixes for your unique lawn. The grass should pair well with the growing conditions of your landscape.
Prep the Soil
To prepare the soil before overseeding, grab a leaf rake. Gently rake the thin turf to remove debris at the soil level and rough up the soil surface without pulling out existing grass plants. Breaking up the soil surface preps a hospitable home for new seeds.
Overseeding is easier and more effective with a core aerator or vertical mower to help you prepare your soil. Scientific Plant Service can provide core aeration that removes plugs of soil throughout your turf. This relieves compaction and ensures that grass seeds reach the soil and receive enough water and nutrients to grow tall.
A vertical mower slices through the upper quarter to half-inch of soil to open the soil for good seed-soil contact
Overseed Evenly
When overseeding your lawn, apply the seed evenly. Small areas can be done by hand as you steadily move your hand back and forth in a few different directions to ensure coverage of the small area. Finish with gentle raking and light tamping or rolling to improve seed-to-soil contact.
For large lawn areas, use a drop seeder or rotary spreader for overseeding.
Give Your New Grass Extra Care
Once the seed is on the soil, keep the seeded areas moist. As the seedlings mature, water more deeply and less often. Make sure your mower blade is sharp. A dull blade will tend to rip the young seedling out of the ground rather than providing a clean cut.
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, Instagram, and Pinterest.