3 Steps To Overseeding for a Beautiful Lawn

Can overseeding be a good thing for your lawn? Initially, it may sound like you are using too much seed, but the truth is that this lawn care step improves the health of your lawn. If your yard gets used a lot by children playing on the lawn, pets roaming in the yard, or family and friends congregating for barbecues and warm-weather activities, you may have noticed bare or thinning spots in the grass. New seed is a simple and effective solution.

Step 1: Prepare the Yard

The best times for overseeding are during the fall or spring. Applying seed in the fall helps ensure a strong, healthy lawn after the winter. Applying seed in the spring is effective for filling in bare patches. Prepare the yard by mowing the grass to an inch or slightly longer, allowing a lot of sunlight to reach the ground where new seeds are planted. There are a few things you can do for more success:

• Keep the lawn free from clippings, leaves, and other debris.
• Aerate the lawn before laying down the new seeds.
• Add a small amount of new topsoil, especially if your ground is firmly packed.

Step 2: Choose Seeds Specifically for Your Climate

Most of the seeds at your local greenhouse or home improvement store should be suitable for the temperatures in your area. However, it is best to look up the types of grass that do well in your area. Make sure that the new seeds will grow well with the grass that is already planted.

Step 3: Maintain Your Beautiful Lawn

Once the seeds are in place, treat them with care. Watering should be frequent and gentle to avoid damaging tender shoots. Don’t let visitors, children, or pets walk across the lawn while new seeds are taking root. Finally, apply a fertilizer appropriate for new shoots.

A lush, green carpet of grass is possible with overseeding. This is especially true when you’ve prepared the yard, chosen the right seeds, and carefully nurtured the new growth. What other steps have you taken to support a healthy lawn?