Fall is right around the corner, now is the time to make your overseeding plans! Unfortunately over time even the most cared for lawns thin, overseeding is one of the important things you can do to keep your lawn lush and healthy. Fall and early spring are the best times to overseed your lawn. Here is how to do it:
- Mow your lawn short (1-1.5 inches), this will help keep the existing grass from out competing new seedlings, and also will allow for more light to reach the seeds.
- Rake up your grass clippings (assuming you didn’t bag when mowing). Rake the lawn vigorously with a sturdy lawn and leaf rake. We like flexible-tine metal rakes. You could also use a specialty de-thatching rake on mossy or extra dense spots. This will make it easier for the seeds to germinate, as they need to be in direct contact with the soil.
- Loosen your soil surface even more by aerating. You can aerate with a broad fork (AKA garden fork), or use a hard rake, a gas-powered plug aerator (available at moost rental centers), or our favorite for small lawns…the Garden Weasle.
- Spread Agricultural Lime. This will help balance the PH (for best results test the PH of your soil so you know how much lime to apply – this can easily be done with a home PH tester)
- Apply fertilizer to newly seeded area. We recommend Walt’s Organic Garden Blend.
- Spread grass seed evenly over your entire lawn. We recommend specifically using an overseed blend, as it will fill in your existing lawn without looking patchy. You can use a spreader or do this by hand, depending on the size of your lawn and what tools you have available. Follow application rates on your seed package. Our seeds call for 1-2lbs per 200 square feet.
- Top-dress your seed with a thin layer of coconut fiber (coir) or compost. Spread a very thin even layer across your soil. Too much could damage your existing grass. In general we recommend just a sixteenth of an inch thick.
- Water the lawn immediately after seeding and continue to water the lawn frequently until the seed is well established. You want your lawn to be moist almost around the clock while the seeds are germinating.
- Fertilize again when new grass is tall enough to mow.
- Sit back and enjoy your beautiful, lush lawn.
***Note: if you are using corn gluten meal to treat weeds in your lawn. Wait at least 6 weeks after applying corn gluten meal to over-seed, and likewise wait 6 weeks before applying corn gluten meal to a newly seeded lawn.