Best Grass Seed for Overseeding in New England
If you are looking for the best grass seed for overseeding your lawn in New England, consider using Black Beauty® Grass Seed mixtures because they are so deeply rooted and naturally insect resistant.
Jonathan Green has been working for more than 100 years to bring beautiful dark-green lawns to our clients using only the highest quality materials. Since 1881, we have experimented with turfgrass varietals to breed our genetically superior grass seed. We are dedicated to providing you with the absolute best products, so all of them are rigorously tested to ensure that they perform to the highest standards.
Overseeding 101
We recommend overseeding with either Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed mixture or Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed mixture:
- Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed is most similar to what is found on sod farms. The seed mixture possesses species diversity and contains exclusive, elite varieties of tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. These grasses grow a naturally dark-green and beautiful lawn with excellent heat and drought tolerance. Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed germinates in about 14 days and will improve any lawn it is overseeded into.
- Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed has been specially formulated for successful fall seeding and contains several grass types, including Black Beauty® tall fescues. It can be used in sun and shade lawn areas on established lawns or to start new lawns from scratch. Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed repairs summer damage and provides an attractive, thicker, greener lawn, with germination in 10 to 14 days.
Best Time for Overseeding in New England
Early fall is the best time to introduce new seed into an existing lawn of cool-season grasses in the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
By early-September to mid- October, most weed growth has tapered off, the daytime temperatures are cooler (70-75°F is ideal), the soil is still warm, and rainfall is plentiful – all optimal factors for seed germination and growth. This will give the seeds a month or so to become established before the first frost.
Soil Preparation
The next key to successful overseeding is good seed-to-soil contact. Clean out dead grass, remove as many weeds as possible, and get rid of rocks, sticks or other debris.
Loosen compacted soil about a half-inch deep with a rake or garden weasel to give the new roots a good chance to grow. Jonathan Green Love Your Soil® will loosen and aerate it for many months. It will also feed the soil microbes, making the soil more alive and porous, and enhancing root and root mass development.
Use a soil pH tester to ensure that the pH of the soil is between 6.2 and 7.0. To rapidly increase or decrease your soil’s pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier, use Jonathan Green MAG-I-CAL®. It can be applied the same day as the grass seed is spread.
Mentioned Products
If you would like more information about the best grass seed for overseeding in New England, visit Jonathan Green online or your nearest independent hardware store or garden center for reliable lawn and garden advice. These knowledgeable lawn retailers can help you achieve great results with your lawn.