When to Overseed Lawn in Kentucky
Overseeding is a technique used to fill in a thinning lawn or crowd out weeds from a lawn. It can turn a dying lawn into a thick carpet of dark green turf grass. To overseed a lawn in Kentucky, you need to know when is the best time for seed germination. Seeds need just the right soil conditions to germinate and grow to maturity.
Jonathan Green is a supplier of genetically superior cool season grass seed and other lawn and soil care products to commercial sod growers and independent retailers.
in all the areas of the United States where cool season lawn grasses are grown. The cool season lawn grasses are Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescues.
We also have a proven system we call the New American Lawn care plan that will help you grow an attractive, healthy lawn that is not subject to most lawn problems and doesn’t require the application of turf chemicals year after year. And, it’s as easy to remember as U-S-A, as you’ll learn by reading on!
Which Months are Best for Overseeding
There are two periods each year that are ideal for overseeding a lawn with cool season grass seed – spring (March to Mid-June) and fall (August to mid-October).
Most overseeding is done in the spring when homeowners see the damage to their lawns at the end of a long winter. Consequently, they are motivated to improve the lawn, and most have great success when they Use (this is the “U” in U-S-A) Black Beauty genetically superior grass seed mixtures, and follow the simple steps to successful overseeding.
Still, early fall is the very best time to overseed, when the air is cooling down, but the soil is still warm. Weed growth tapers off in the fall, so your new grass won’t have to compete for sunshine, water and nutrients. It will also have the benefit of two cool growing cycles before the heat of summer sets in.
How to Overseed Your Lawn
To overseed a lawn, it is important for the seeds to come into direct contact with the soil. The soil should be raked to loosen it, so good seed to soil contact is established. You don’t need to bury the seed just make sure that the loose soil surrounds the grass seeds. For larger lawns it might make the job go faster if you rent a slit seeder or de-thatching machine.
For soil that is particularly hard and compacted, use Love Your Soil®. This is the “S” in U-S-A, and it stands for “Stimulate” soil biology to “Stop” soil compaction. Our proven formula will loosen up the soil to make it better for root growth. It can be used at the same time as seeding and can be spread up to three times a year to accelerate soil improvement..
Once the soil is loose, the pH should be tested to make sure it falls within an adequate range. For proper germination the soil pH should be between 6.2 and 7.0. Our Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Alkaline & Hard Soil product can quickly adjust the pH of the soil. It can be used immediately before seeding. Adjusting soil pH is the “A” in U-S-A. After applying MAG-I-CAL, a fertilizer can be put down.
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Finally, the grass seed can be spread over the prepared area with a spreader to ensure even distribution. The lawn should be watered at least once a day for two weeks until the seeds have sprouted. Mow the new lawn when the grass plants are about three inches tall.
For more help with when and how to overseed your lawn in Kentucky, visit Jonathan Green online or head to a local independent retailer. They have the knowledge and the Jonathan Green products that will ensure success on your home lawn project.