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When to Overseed Lawn in Massachusetts

Seeding
4 min read

When you decide to overseed your lawn in Massachusetts, Jonathan Green has tips and recommendations you will appreciate.

Jonathan Green has specialized in beautiful lawns since 1881. Six generations of the family have worked to perfect our genetically superior grass seed and our family of lawn and soil care products. Our products will transform every aspect of your lawn to help it thrive like never before and, with our New American Lawn Care Plan, caring for your lawn will be easier than ever.

Best Time for Overseeding

Early fall is the best time to introduce new seed into an existing lawn of cool-season grasses in Massachusetts. By mid-August to mid- September, most weeds are done germinating, the daytime temperatures are cooler (70-75°F is ideal), and there is abundant rainfall.

Many homeowners also choose to overseed their lawns in the spring. This can yield good results if soil temperatures have reached a consistent 55°F. Consider using Black Beauty® Grass Seed mixtures because they are so deeply rooted and drought tolerant.

Overseeding 101

Your lawn will never be better than the grass seed you plant, so 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.

In addition to Jonathan Green genetically superior grass seed, healthy soil is the key to having a beautiful lawn. Before you begin, you must correct any soil problems (pH and/or compaction).

Grass seeds thrive in soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.2 – 7.0), while weeds persist and are more difficult to eliminate in acidic soils with a lower pH. Use a Soil pH Test Kit for Lawns to check the soil pH. Soil pH that is too low should be treated with Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil. Our innovative formula will quickly balance the soil pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier. It can be applied the same day as the grass seed is spread.

If your soil is hard or compacted, Love Your Soil® will loosen and aerate it. It will also feed the soil microbes, making the lawn soil more alive and porous, and enhancing root and root mass development. Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed.

Please refer to our Seeding Guide for more information.

For more tips on when to overseed your lawn in Massachusetts and how to care for your lawn, visit us online at JonathanGreen.com or visit your nearest independent retail store for expert lawn care advice.

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