A beautiful, lush lawn can be the envy of everyone who sees it. As landscape professionals, we know just how to achieve that look many homeowners covet, but many people do not know the secret to a gorgeous lawn. We will let you in on this “not so secret” tip – overseeding.
What Is Overseeding?
Overseeding is when you spread grass seed over an existing lawn. If you do it right, the process is quite simple. Overseeding is necessary because even established lawns begin to thin over time. This is especially the case if you use your lawn often. To maintain a beautiful, lush lawn, you do not have to start over from scratch. Instead, overseeding can provide the perfect maintenance you need to have that youthful looking lawn.
The labor of overseeding is straightforward, but the timing of when you spread the grass seed is the most important factor as to whether you will yield results that you want or not. We have provided a guide to help you achieve the lawn you have always wanted. When in doubt, you can always call the experts at Promier Landscapes by calling (423) 872-2988 to take care of all your lawn care needs.
Guide to Overseeding Your Lawn
Set a Goal
Do you want to have green grass year round? If so, the type of seed that you use and when you spread it will make a significant difference in the outcome. Here in East Tennessee, we experience fairly hot summers, and our winters can get fairly brutal with plummeting temperatures. These changes can affect how different types of grass react. Warm-season grasses will go brown during the winter, while cool-season grasses will flourish during the cooler months. Therefore, if you want to green grass year round, you should spread cool-season grass seed in the fall, and warm-season grass seed during the spring.
Timing
Here in the south, the best time to overseed thinning lawns is around late spring, which is when warm-season grasses begin active growth stage. If you want to have color during the winter, however, overseed your lawn in the fall, approximately 45 days before the first frost. You should be sure to wait until temperatures at night are consistently below 65 degrees.
Prep
Be sure to mow your lawn extra short, using your lawn mower’s lowest setting. Remove the clippings to allow new seeds to reach the soil and have access to sunlight and water. Rake the lawn after you mow to ensure you remove all clippings, debris, and thatch. This also helps loosen the soil to receive seeds.
Correct Existing Issues
Make sure your soil is healthy enough before overseeding. If your grass is thinning beyond normal, you may need to have your soil tested. You may need to aerate your lawn to allow air to help stabilize the soil or even add fertilizer or mulch to repair excessively thin areas.
The Seeding Process
Be sure to select a high-quality grass seed product. You get what you pay for, so do not make all of your work be in vain because you chose a cheap product that yields subpar results. Using a spreader, spread seed across your lawn, and avoid using weed & feed products simultaneously as you seed since they will inhibit seed germination. Water frequently, keep the soil moist, especially within the first week. Then, you can spread out your water efforts to heavy watering every other day to encourage deep, healthy roots.
For more information on achieving a beautiful, green lawn, contact Promier Landscapes by calling (423) 872-2988. We proudly service the Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, TN areas.