When to Overseed Lawn in New York
Sometimes, even the most well-maintained lawn will experience a failure to thrive. Overseeding can give it the extra boost it needs. Find out when and how to overseed your lawn in New York from the professionals at Jonathan Green.
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.
Best Time for Overseeding in New York
Early fall is the best time to introduce new seed into an existing lawn of cool-season grasses in New York. 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 moist – all optimal factors for seed germination and growth. This will give the seeds a month or so to become established before the first frost.
Prepare the Soil
Seeds must be able to come in contact with the soil in order to germinate. Clear out any dead grass and debris, and loosen compacted soil with a rake or garden weasel to about a half-inch deep to encourage maximum contact. This will give the roots the best chance to grow. If you have a large lawn, consider renting a slit seeder, aerator, or de-thatching machine.
Test the pH of the soil. Lawns grow best in soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (between 6.2 and 7.0 on the pH scale). 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.
If your lawn is small, you may be able to broadcast the seed by hand, but do it carefully by throwing the seed out in front of you. Don’t throw down a handful of seed in a small area! This will cause too many seeds to sprout and create competition that will set you back in the long run.
Choose the Best Grass Seed Mixture
We recommend either Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed or Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed for overseeding your lawn:
- Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed is similar to the grass seed mixture used to grow sod. It offers species diversity and contains exclusive, elite varieties of tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. These grasses grow a beautiful dark green lawn that has outstanding heat and drought tolerance. Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed should germinate in about 14 days and will improve any lawn you overseed it into.
- Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed is specially formulated for successful fall seeding and contains several grass varieties, including Black Beauty® tall fescues. Use it in sunny and shady areas to overseed an established lawn or to start a new lawn 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.
Now is also a good time to apply Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding. Our high phosphorus formula helps build a vigorous root system and will get your new grass plants off to a fast start.
Mentioned Products
If you need more advice on when or how to overseed your lawn in New York, visit Jonathan Green online or your nearest independent retail store where they will answer any questions you have.