Q&A

Can you put grass seed on top of an existing lawn?

Can you put grass seed on top of an existing lawn?

Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it’s a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often. Overseeding keeps your lawn competitive and steeped in youth and vigor, without starting over from scratch.

Does overseeding your lawn really work?

The experts all agree that regular overseeding is vital to help thicken your lawn and fill in bare spots, which reduces or eliminates competition from weeds. The reasoning is that young grass will produce new growth faster than older grass. After several years, mature plants begin to slow down their reproduction rate.

When should I reseed my lawn Australia?

Ideally, you should sow seed when temperatures are neither too cold nor too hot. Spring is a great time to plant a new lawn from seed in most parts of Australia, because the weather is mild and the grass has time to become established under optimum conditions.

When should I overseed my new lawn?

Late summer or early fall is the best time to overseed lawns. Soil and atmospheric temperatures are most favorable for optimum seed germination and growth. With adequate moisture, fertilizer and sunlight, the new seedlings will be well established before cooler fall weather sets in.

Can you just throw down grass seed?

If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. If the seeds are not properly protected by existing grass or a thin layer of topsoil, they may dry before germination or be washed away by rain.

Do I need to remove dead grass before seeding?

Allowing the dead grass to build up also weakens the grass around it and will cause even more of it to die. So removing it is important. Especially if you are planting grass and have more than a half inch of dead grass anywhere in your lawn it needs to be removed before the new seed is planted.

Should I overseed or fertilize first?

You can fertilize your lawn before or after overseeding. Both tactics work to feed your new grass seed. It’s best to fertilize within 3 days of seeding. This means you can spread your starter fertilizer a few days before you lay down your seed or a few days after.

Can you just throw grass seed down?

Grass seed will grow if you just throw it on the ground, but the quality won’t be as high as if you prepared the soil beforehand. If you throw grass seed on compacted soil, it won’t germinate as well as it would if the soil was prepared.

When should you not plant grass seed?

In nearly all regions, March is too early to plant grass seed. Temperature is a better barometer; wait until days average about 80 degrees before planting grass seed for summer. March is too late to sow cool-season grasses.

Should I aerate my lawn before overseeding?

The best time to aerate your lawn is during the fall before you begin a fertilization program or decide to overseed. Run your irrigation system after the turf has been aerated. Aeration will help ensure your soil is ready to absorb all of the nutrients and seeds that come its way with topdressing and overseeding.

What’s the best way to overseed your lawn?

Mow low. Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating. Choose a grass seed.

How much overseeding is needed for perennial rye grass?

As a generalization, the over seeding rates for perennial rye grass ranges between 2kg/100m2 – 6kg/100m2 depending on the seed type, local climate and requirements of the Turf Manager. Carrying out all facets of the overseeding evenly is extremely important – even inputs results in even establishment of the Perennial Rye grass long term.

Which is the best cool season grass for overseeding?

There are multiple cool season grass options available for over seeding, however when overseeding high use sports turf Perennial Rye Grass is the preferred option as it is the quickest of all cool season grasses to germinate and establish requiring a shorter closure period to make the change.

When is the best time to oversee your lawn?

When to Overseed. In the North, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against.