Overseeding is an interesting practice that many land owners and landscapers use to make their yards look better. Overseeing is what it sounds like too. Basically, you want to use overseeding to empty the gaps in your lawn, make your lawn lusher and fuller, and improve your lawn’s ability to withstand numerous elements, from bugs, to drought, and even constant traffic on the lawn itself. A lot of people overseed their back yards so they can make a better and fuller lawn for their families, and for good reasons. There are certain times though that you want to overseed. If you plant at the wrong time, then you’re not going to end up with good sprouts, or you’ll have more burnt grass that can take longer for your lawn to recover. In this guide, we’re going to tell you when the best time to overseed your lawn is!

Is There a Specific Time of Year to Overseed?

As a matter of fact, that’s why we’re writing this post for you. Yes, there definitely is. Some people make the mistake of seeding in the summer, or think that just before Spring is the best option, but it’s not. Fall is the best time of the year (or towards the later part of fall once it starts to cool a little bit, but there is no threat of frost). This way, you won’t have quite as much weeds growing, and it will still be warm, but you will have plenty of what it needs to thrive. 

You can also overseed in the spring, but you need to make sure there is no threat of frost setting in at all, because this can still cause problems for your grass seed, or kill it before it can grow. You need to make sure that your weather is somewhat warm. This way the sprouts can grow, but you also want to make sure that the seedlings are able to root into the ground before the summer temps set in.

Is There a Certain Type of Seed to Use?

This all depends on a variety of factors, and your lawn which is already established. When you are overseeding, you don’t want to choose a grass that will take over your lawn, but you’ll want one that’s a good mix to add a bit of turf. If you are not looking to garden in the area, you’ll want a grass seed that can root deep to help it tolerate harsher climates and elements. Some of the best disease resistant and drought-tolerant seed blends have a special coat on them that helps to lock the moisture into the grass, which makes them superb for lush lawns.

Do I Need to pH Test My Lawn?

This is solely up to you, but you may be able to benefit from doing so. Otherwise, you can add special items and products that will raise or lower your soil’s pH levels to the appropriate number range. 

What About Crabgrass?

Crabgrass thrives primarily in the spring, so this is another reason to plant in the fall. When crabgrass grows, it has the tendency to crowd and cling to areas where new grass is growing – almost predatory in nature. You may want to control the weeds and crabgrass so you can get the most out of your overseeding endeavors. 

Do I Have to Reseed My Lawn?

Overseeding can add a thickness to your lawn, and depending on your lawnmower, yes, the thicker grass can be harder to cut the longer it is. However, if you use a good enough product, you’ll find that you can still maintain your lawn well once the overseeding is established. Therefore, you don’t have to completely reseed your lawn using this method (which often requires stripping your lawn, then re-planting it).

Conclusion

When you overseed your lawn, you’re not going to reseed it necessarily, so there isn’t a lot of extra work involved. Simply get some additional grass seed on your lawn, and properly maintain it. You may want to stay off of your lawn during this time, as heavy traffic is harshest on sprouts as compared to a lawn that’s already established.  If you’re wanting to overseed, you need to make sure that you do it in the fall because it’s the best time of year due to temperature, weather, etc. You must make sure that you choose the best seed type for your lawn, but you also need to know how to properly maintain it.