How and when to overseed your lawn

This how and when to overseed your lawn guide will ensure you have a lawn in good shape, knowing when the right time is to seed and look after your green grass. If you are wondering what overseeding is - it is a technique where seeds are sown into an existing lawn. Depending on the size of your property, the time it takes to overseed can vary, but it’s known to be an excellent way of growing a healthy lawn without weeds. Overseeding also means you’ll be growing your lawn without the use of chemicals.

Why overseed your lawn 

You might notice your lawn growing thinly over the years and patchy in places allowing weeds to grow in the bare areas. Overseeding is perfect for these areas but can also be used to thicken up most areas of the lawn. 

When to overseed your lawn 

The ideal times to overseed lawns are in springtime from March to early May, and then late summer into early autumn from the end of August into September. Autumn is by far the best time to overseed and try not to do this, however much you are tempted, in the summer time. If you overseed in high heat, you’ll most likely be wasting your time and resources. So avoid overseeding during hot summer days, and choose a colder day instead.

How to overseed your lawn 

• Start by removing weeds and any fallen leaves or another in the way. You can also use a scarifier to remove moss if needed.
• Mow the lawn on a low setting and remove all clippings.
• Aerate your soil by forking holes into the lawn and adding a thin dressing layer over the area to be seeded. This only needs to be very thin and is called topdressing.
• Sow your seeds as per the packet instructions and lightly rake to ensure the seeds are in contact with the soil.
• Lightly press down, walk or pat the area.

How to care for your overseed lawn

You will need to make sure the grass seeds don’t completely dry out. They need moisture to survive. Water with a fine rose fitting to ensure the seeds don’t get washed away by too much pressure, and keep moist to ensure the seeds germinate. Your lawn will need mowing but start low in spring and raise the setting. For newly sown seeds, make sure the grass is at least 5cm to 8cm before you cut on a high setting. 

Keeping a nice lawn is one of gardening’s great pleasures, and it doesn’t have to be as hard as it looks. Overseeding will definitely help to keep it thick and green. 

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