If your lawn is not performing up to your expectations, you can re-establish a healthier, better-looking lawn by overseeding it. The best time to overseed an existing lawn is from late summer to early fall, but it can still be a success when done in spring.
Jonathan Green supplies genetically superior cool-season grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn and garden products to professional customers, including sod growers and independent home and garden retailers across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, and now the Western United States.
Overseeding: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Should I Overseed My Lawn?
Overseeding will fill in bare spots, improve the thickness of the lawn, and enhance its color. Overseeding newer varieties of turfgrass into an older lawn can improve its ability to withstand insects, disease, drought, and heavy traffic.
When Should I Overseed My Lawn?
There are two ideal times of the year to overseed your lawn – fall and spring. Fall is the best choice. The soil is still warm which means the seed will germinate faster. Also, weed growth tapers off after summer, so your new grass won’t have to compete for sunshine, water, and nutrients.
Overseeding in spring is the next-best option. The weather should still be warm enough for the seeds to germinate, but be sure to get the seed in the ground and well established before the hotter summer temperatures and potential summer drought comes along.
Which Seed Should I Use?
We recommend paying a little extra for a good, high-quality seed, if needed, that will give you excellent results. Black Beauty® Original Grass Seed is the original Jonathan Green grass seed blend that is grown by sod growers across the USA. It grows roots up to 4-feet deep and produces a naturally darker-green turf with better disease resistance and drought tolerance because of a waxy leaf coating that preserves moisture and wards off stress from heat, cold, wind, and disease. Our blend grows well in clay and sandy soils and in partial shade or full sun.
How Should I Prepare the Soil?
Before you lay down any seed, the soil should have the right pH and must be aerated and loosened to promote proper root growth. Jonathan Green has two terrific products that can be applied right before you overseed to help prepare the soil for new grass seed.
Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil is designed to quickly raise or lower your soil pH to the ideal range of between 6.2 and 7.0. If the pH falls below 6.2, use Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil. For pH that is above 7.0, use MAG-I-CAL Plus® for alkaline lawns.
Now the soil needs to be loosened and aerated. This can be done with Love Your Soil®, an innovative soil treatment that activates the microbes within the soil. Once activated, the microbes allow for nutrients to be easily absorbed by the grass roots, resulting in stronger, heartier grass.
Mentioned Products
For additional information about overseeding your lawn in spring, visit Jonathan Green online, or ask your nearest independent retail store for expert lawn and garden advice.