The air movement of the blades will likely blow your seeds away. FAQs on Fertilize or overseed first. As reality shows overseeding works and it is worthy of the efforts you put on your lawn. This allows less than optimal conditions for germination and the growth and develop-ment of new seedlings. These organisms break down existing thatch, improve soil quality and release additional nutrients for healthy plant development. To learn more about core aeration vs. slice seeding, click here. Over-seeding is ideal for lawns that are thinning out and need rejuvenation after a long summer. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. So keep that in mind. A healthy, dense lawn will choke out weeds, resist pest attacks, and endure drought. This seeding method provides excellent seed to soil contact. Overseeding is the planting of grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf, or the soil. Think of it as a software update for your lawn. The tried-and-true method has been to aerate in mid- to late August and then overseed in September. Improving Resilience. It includes fertilization, weed treatment, insect control, and soil lime amendment. As the “slicer/seeder” passes over the lawn, discs cut grooves in the soil. Seed is dropped from behind the discs into the grooves or “slits” in the soil. Re: is an overseed even worth trying? If you are overseeding your lawn after aerating, however, it may be best to wait. Aerating during a prolonged period of drought or excessive heat may do more harm than good. As the seed is spread, many of the seeds fall into the holes left by the “plugging” process. a good seedbed for overseeding. TruSignature: This is the Rolls Royce of garden care plans. Dormant seeding is the collective term for overseeding lawns in late fall and winter, when soil temperatures are too cold to allow grass seed to germinate. If you live somewhere with drastic weather changes throughout the year, it may be worth reseeding your lawn with a different kind of grass. Fertilizer applications are also more effective at … Hot, dry conditions and heavy shade cause the most grass damage. Most homeowners are familiar with core aeration; we watch as golf courses use this maintenance practice routinely to break up compacted soil, helping air, water and fertilizer reach grass roots. This practice reduces soil compaction and brings new life to old roots. An intensive * We don’t share your info with anyone ever. Overseeding allows new grass varieties to be introduced to a lawn to resist diseases and insect attacks. Overseeding is a simple process of adding seeds to the lawn to improve its quality and appearance. Perfect for households with children and pets. This seeding method provides excellent seed to soil contact. Itwill require at least three or four passes over the putting green - more if possible - before actual seeding is accomplished. Chances are, he says, if you live here in North Carolina, you want aeration and overseeding. Overseeding is one of the most important tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. Overseeding annual ryegrass is best done two weeks before the first frost or when soil temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I now realize that’s a wasteful, ineffective way of doing it. The application of additional grass seed to an existing lawn, sometimes called overseeding or reseeding, is best done immediately following core aeration of a lawn. Overseeding—as part of a comprehensive, proactive plan—keeps lawns looking great. Remember, overseeding is taking place on actively growing turf. You could, but aerating is best done in the spring. The warm temperatures of late September and early October are ideal for overseeding. Even with good preparation, it may still be necessary to do some overseeding in the spring in those areas where little grass emerges. Not only does aeration help reduce soil compaction, but it allows water to reach deep and through the root zone. And while grass might not be able to thrive in compacted soil, weeds can. Best of all, new plant growth and subsequent thickening of the lawn will provide you with an aesthetically pleasing property. That’s why after aeration is an ideal time to over-seed your Kentucky lawn. Use a bag to catch the clippings even though … If you don’t mind the extra maintenance and care, then overseeding could be for you. These one to two inch cores are left on top of the lawn and as the cores break down, microbes feed on and break down thatch. The lawn is not disturbed, creating little or no clean up. ... That’s a good way to guide your decision about whether the cost of TruGreen is worth it in your area. Should I just go ahead and aerate? Why Aeration Is Worth It Aeration loosens compacted soil. (Most lawns, in our opinion, can use over-seeding to spruce up the overall appearance of turf.) Annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and turf-type tall fescue or bluegrass are often used. Nutrients are easily taken in by the plant when aeration is completed. Outbreaks of disease and insect activity can make matters worse. For most residential lawn care professionals, this means using a drum aerator and a mechanical overseeder.The walk-behind drum-type aerator is the industry staple due to price. Why Aeration Is Worth It Aeration loosens compacted soil. Mow the lawn to a height of no more than 2 inches. Air, in particular, is essential because without it, organisms like earthworms can’t thrive to recycle nutrients and keep the ground healthy. Whether you're tending your first lawn or have years of experience, learning how to overseed your lawn can improve your results. Personally, I believe that mowing right after aerating has real value. Promotes a healthy soil and lawn to deter pests naturally. Lawn overseeding is a great option for homeowners whose lawns have suffered from drought stress, insect or disease damage, or that show other signs of decline such as thin sparse grass, bare patches or … With the growing NaturaLawn® of America family of products, we have you and your lawn protected, naturally and organically. Aeration is the mechanical removal of soil cores from the lawn. Better yet, go in on a rental with a neighbor or two. The techniques are very similar to summer. Therefore, such a sowing makes sense only if the existing grass is healthy enough and abundant enough to be worth keeping. Deciding which method makes most sense is somewhat tied to the lawn situation. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. Powered dethatchers are useful, and they require much less effort to use than a thatch rake. Especially in areas where little grass remains and simply thickening up the lawn is not enough; most professional services offer “slit” or “Slice seeding”. Instead of spot-treating, an overall coat of overseeding can fill in spots you may not even see, leading to denser grass. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. If your lawn recovers well, your investment in overseeding will look reasonable. There is, however, another seeding method that deserves consideration. You sow seed over existing grass to make your lawn thicker and lusher. But the good ones are expensive. If you wait until November, the cooler temperatures may slow the germination of the new seed and leave a skimpy, uneven lawn. You must have full sun and be prepared to water and mow all winter. Over-seeding the right way means using an Overseeder machine. Sure, there are a couple exceptions, and we'll get to those in a minute. When soil is compacted, the granules are so tightly packed together making it hard for water, the roots of grass, and air to get in. If the newly seeded areas appear to be a little thin, you shouldn’t necessarily feel your fall efforts were a failure, as it is quite common to have to do a little additional reseeding in the spring. Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates, 3840 Edison Lakes Pkwy, Mishawaka IN 46545, Please note that we will be closed 12/22/20 at 2pm through 1/3/21, Copyright 2020 © ExperiGreen – All Rights Reserved. Similarly, as a lawn thickens with the new seed growth, it will also be better suited to crowd out weeds. Another reason to aerate: it makes lawn treatments like fertilization and reseeding more effective. So overseeding (which is sometimes done in conjunction with aeration) can, for a period of a week or 10 days or so, result in very "hairy" greens, fairways and tee boxes. Consider renting one. This method is slower, taking more time, but can be very effective. Fall is the best time for over-seeding. Thank you for your interest in joining the NaturaLawn of America, Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care Services, Associates, Certifications and Relationships. Similarly, as a lawn thickens with the new seed growth, it will also be better suited to crowd out weeds. The lawn is not disturbed, creating little or no clean up. The most effective time of year for aerating and overseeding is in the fall for cool season grasses, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, and in the spring or summer for warm season grasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Also, is aeration overseeding worth it? Overseeding (or spreading grass seed on an established lawn to help it thicken up) is an effective way to improve your lawn, but it’s no quick fix. What You’ll Need for … Plugs removed from the soil are left in place to decompose naturally or be chopped up through subsequent mowing. Whether your lawn is heavily damaged by summer stress, fungus disease, insects or just thinned out, this is the time to repair damage. I’ve always tried to overseed my lawn by first aerating, then mowing low, then going over the lawn with a broadcast spreader. Deciding which method makes most sense is somewhat tied to the lawn situation. Cool-season grasses germinate best when daily temperatures are gradually moving downward as they do in fall, so it can be a great time to overseed without the pressure of summer’s dry, hot conditions. Because greens with uncut grass can be difficult to putt on, some (but not all) golf courses offer green fee discounts during periods of overseeding. One of the best practices you can do for your lawn is to have it aerated and overseeded on a regular basis. By using a cool season grass seed variety the lawns retains a green color throughout winter. No question about it, pulling small, finger sized “plugs” of soil from the lawn, then spreading seed over and into the aeration holes makes sense. Overseeding your tired grass can give it a much-needed facelift. Let’s talk about effectively overseeding weedy lawn areas and the best times of year to do so. Lawn generally gets greener, smoother, thicker with proper implementation. Many people though, are not familiar with the process of core aerating a lawn, followed by the application of seed, to fill in or repair damaged areas of the lawn. This benefits microorganisms living in the soil. While seeding, the gardener adds grass seeds to the prepared soil in order to grow grass from scratch; on the other hand, overseeding is when the gardener scatters grass seeds onto a pre-existing lawn. Overseeding Lawns. Fall Overseeding . It’s an easy way to fill in bare spots, improve the density of turf, establish improved grass varieties and enhance your lawn’s color. This plan grants 8 annual visits from TruExperts, plus soil aeration and overseeding. The holes created through aeration in the soil allow roots to expand, resulting in improved turf quality and vitality. For more details about the benefits of aeration and overseeding, contact your local NaturaLawn® of America office. Over time, lawns that have not been overseeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn. Thatch is the spongy and often impervious layer of decaying material between the crown of the grass plants and the soil. In the mid-west, the opportunity for dormant seeding is best from mid-November through early March, … At the heart of the mechanics is a tine wheel that rotates and relies on weight for tine penetration and offers a fixed hole pattern that typically produces four to six hole… If overseeding seems right for you, now is the time to start getting ready. Is a powered dethatcher worth it? Still need help weeding through the options? Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Overseeding allows new grass varieties to be introduced to a lawn to resist diseases and insect attacks. But really, aeration and overseeding should set you and your lawn up just great. However, there are some cautions and tips before you decide if overseeding is right for you. With proper planning and care, you may find your yard is smiling. Most lawn care pros would opt for aerating and over-seeding, where seeding into thin turf. Post by Sinclair » Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:43 pm I would spend next May, April, June, July fertilizing and controlling weeds, then consider overseeding. If a lawn looks old, or just “worn out,” if it needs growing amounts of water and fertilizer to thrive, or is disease or insect prone, it’s a perfect candidate for overseeding. Do not use Kentucky 31 tall fescue or other coarse fescue blends for overseeding lawns. Many homeowners find that overseeding in the fall works very well. Most lawn care pros would opt for aerating and over-seeding, where seeding into thin turf. It provides a process for getting reasonable seed to soil contact, necessary for newly germinating seeds to establish themselves safely in the soil. Save frustration – Problems with seed germination, fertilizers, diseases, and irrigation are all … by ExperiGreen | Aug 20, 2019 | Lawn Care. It’ll take a good amount of work, but the results are worth the effort if done correctly. If using lime, apply before seeding. Overseeding turns a thin, worn out lawn into a thick, lush lawn. Rooting around for something else or just want to talk? Overseeding lawns containing Bermudagrass is common in the south. If your Bermuda lawn is healthy and vigorous, you can overseed. Summer can take a lot out of your lawn. Best of all, new plant growth and subsequent thickening of the lawn will provide you with an aesthetically pleasing property. 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