Should i overseed my lawn

Not giving your grass the care it needs before winter could lead to your yard completely dying off when the snow comes. If your lawn is showing these warning signs, you should aerate and overseed your yard this fall:. Overseeding should be done in the fall in order to get the best results, preferably September. A major misconception is that only damaged lawns need overseeding.

Keep your grass looking its best by treating it annually, says our expert. If your neighbor's thick, lush lawn has you green with envy, it might be time to perform some routine maintenance on your own landscape. Overseeding—the process of adding new grass seed to existing turf—is a great starting point if you're looking to fill in thinning or sparse patches. Below, Mayer explains why timing is everything when it comes to your lawn; he also shares other best practices for success.

Mayer advises against overseeding in the spring " due to weeds competing for space, nutrients, and water. Before getting started, it's important to understand your grass type. If yours turns brown in the winter, then you likely have warm-season turf. Common varieties include Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, or St.

Spring is the second best time. The warm soil encourages seed germination, cool fall air stimulates growth, and soil moisture stays more constant. Tough, warm-season lawn weeds , such as crabgrass and nutsedge , are less active in fall, too. The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance service recommends overseeding at least 45 days before your average first fall frost. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall.

Mow your lawn extra short and remove the clippings, so new seed contacts soil and gets sunlight and water. Set your mower at two inches or less for regular overseeding. For southern lawns and winter color, set the blade as low as it goes, and cut just above the soil—what's known as scalping. Rake the soil with a metal thatch rake to remove thatch , clippings and debris.

This loosens and exposes soil to receive seed. For troubles beyond normal thinning, test your soil and make corrections before overseeding.

Follow test recommendations for using soil amendments and repairing bare lawn spots. If needed, take time to dethatch and core aerate compacted lawns so air, moisture and seed can get to the soil. Pennington One Step Complete products combine premium seed with a stabilized-release fertilizer and wood mulch to simplify lawn repairs. Better seed yields better lawns.

Always use grasses recommended for your regional climate and choose top-quality grass seed you can depend on. Pennington Smart Seed products provide premium grass seed appropriate for sun, shade or high-traffic areas in lawns in northern or southern regions. Three-in-one Pennington Lawn Booster combines superior Smart Seed varieties with premium-grade fertilizer and soil enhancer.

Apply seed at label-recommended overseeding rates, using the lawn spreader that suits the job. Use drop or broadcast spreaders for large lawns and handheld spreaders for smaller areas.

For small spots, simply seed from your hand. Work when the air is calm, so seed distributes evenly. Starter fertilizer, such as Pennington Ultragreen Starter Fertilizer , delivers essential nutrients for new grass. Phosphorus supports vigorous root growth, while nitrogen fuels top growth and greening. Some states and counties restrict phosphorus lawn fertilizers due to environmental concerns regarding runoff, but exceptions may be made for new seedings.