Fall is right around the corner which means now is the time to start thinking about making improvements to your lawn. Many homeowners think spring is the time to spread grass seed and make other outdoor improvements, but it turns out that’s a common misconception. Overseeding in the fall gives the seeds time to take root, increasing their chances of survival into the next year. These 5 tips can be used to improve your overseeding success even more!

Pace the Lawn

Pacing your lawn is the quickest and easiest way to measure it. One pace is roughly 3 feet. Count your paces across the length and width of your lawn, then multiply the values to find the total area. Now that you know how big the lawn is, you’ll know how much grass seed you need to purchase.

Cut the Grass

Before you can begin overseeding, you’ll need to cut the grass already in your lawn. Mow the grass shorter than you normally would to give the seeds you spread the best chance of properly rooting. Any areas of the lawn that don’t have grass to cut should be roughed up so the seeds have loosened dirt to grow into.

Spreading the Seed

Now that your lawn is ready for the grass seed, you can begin the spreading and planting process. Purchase a spinning seed spreader. A hand-cranked spinner is sufficient for most lawns. Cover the lawn with grass seed, focusing primarily on bare or thin areas of grass. You can spread additional seeds by hand if there’s an area you really want to target.

Keep it Moist

You’ll need to regularly water your new grass seeds to encourage growth. The ground should be moist, but not too wet. If the ground becomes dry or baked at any point, the seeds will not be able to grow. Pay close attention to the weather predictions for the first week or so after planting. You should notice growth around 5-7 days after overseeding. If you aren’t noticing growth, increase the amount of water you’re using.

Cutting the New Grass

You should let your new grass grow to a height of 3-4 inches before you begin to cut it. When you do cut it, don’t cut it as short as you cut the rest of your well-established lawn.

Overseeding your lawn is a great way to improve the external appearance of your home. The process will take some patience and dedication to water your new seeds, but all of your hard work is bound to pay off!

Lola’s Landscape

We proudly serve the Norfolk County in Massachusetts for all their lawn care needs. Our team is highly knowledgeable and highly experienced in all areas of landscaping. Contact us now or visit our website to learn more about our services!