How to over seed an existing lawn area

Overseeding a lawn is a great way to improve the density and overall health of the grass. Superintendent Lawn packages your grass over seed based on the size of your lawn area so you don’t need to guess how much to apply. Evenly spread the entire contents of the package over your lawn area of the same size as indicated on the package label.

Here are the steps for overseeding a residential lawn area:

1. Mow the lawn, this allows the new seed to make contact with the soil.
2. Rake up the clippings and remove any debris such as leaves and twigs from the lawn.
3. Aerate the lawn by using a manual or powered aerator. This will help to create small holes in the soil, allowing the new seed to make contact with the soil, and increasing the chances of germination. This step is not critical.
4. Spread the seed evenly over the lawn using a broadcast spreader. Make sure to apply the seed at the recommended rate for your lawn.
5. Lightly rake the seed into the soil by using a leaf rake or a hard brush.
6. Water the lawn thoroughly after spreading the seed. It’s important to keep the soil consistently moist during the germination period, which can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days. You do not want soggy soil, but you need to keep moisture available to the seed while germination is occurring. You may spread some peat moss lightly over the seed to help retain moisture.
7. After the seed has germinated, reduce watering and mow the lawn only when it has grown tall enough for it to be mowed.
8. Fertilize the lawn if necessary, according to the type of grass and the soil condition after 30 days.
9. Be patient, it will take some time for the new grass seed to establish itself, but with proper care and patience, you’ll be rewarded with a healthy and beautiful lawn.

It’s generally a good idea to overseed a lawn in the early spring or fall, when temperatures are cooler, and there is more moisture in the air. This will provide the best conditions for the new seed to germinate.