When a lawn is freshly aerated — with plugs of soil removed from the turf — the same tiny holes that allow water, air and nutrients to circulate also provide nests for grass seeds. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. Check Weekend 3 Slit seeded with Bluebird and starter fertilizer . (Check the instructions on the product for this.) The most important benefit of a mulch is to reduce water evaporation and therefore reduce the chances of the grass seed drying out and reducing seed germination rates. Water the lawn immediately after you complete the overseeding process. Regularly watering your seeds will allow them to develop healthy roots. 2. Once aerated and overseeded, the lawn should not be mowed for 2-3 weeks and no herbicide should be applied for at least 5-6 weeks. The sprinkler system should be set to run 3 times per day for 3-5 minutes, depending on zones (mist heads 3 minutes and rotor heads 5-6 minutes). Mow on a high cut when the grass is 40-50mm. New overseeded lawns need constant moisture. After establishment it’s best to water deeply to ensure a deeper root system. Those with Bermuda lawns, that want an all year green lawn, can overseed with an annual winter rye. 9. For more information about the best time to overseed your lawn in Maine, visit Jonathan Green online, or get in touch with your nearest independent retail store for valuable lawn and garden advice. ... How quickly your sprinklers put water on your lawn. Regardless of whether you have aerated, aerated and overseeded or done the full shebang you should keep your lawn moist but not soaking for a period until you notice it has started to grow healthy again. Be careful about using bargain store seed brands for overseeding lawns. Don’t let them get completely dry. The holes that aerating opens up are the perfect home for new grass seeds from overseeding to germinate. 6.) Check It has been two weeks since seeding and the irrigation controller was set for four times per day. Read more about the benefits of overseeding at Benefits Of Overseeding A Lawn Fescue Rule: An important rule is if you have a turf-type tall fescue lawn, do not overseed with a … Water the lawn – new seeds need regular watering. ... For a 15' by 15' lawn, overseeded rye grass will use 1238 more gallons of water per season than a dormant Bermuda lawn. Choose a time when the lawn is dry. 1. See Lawn Watering Devices in the Tool Shed. To overseed a pre-existing lawn, cut the lawn shorter than normal and rake the lawn to loosen the top layer of soil. Overseeding your lawn with newer, improved types of turfgrass is often the best way to thicken the lawn, and improve its health and appearance. Overseed your lawn to keep it healthy, repair damage or fill in bare spots. Huge amount of thatch removed. Keeping an overseeded lawn healthy requires a complex fertilizing schedule, strengthening the Zoysia during the warmest part of the year, feeding the secondary grass in cool weather, and then bringing the Zoysia back to full strength the following spring. HOW TO OVERSEED YOUR LAWN. Save time – No need to scalp the lawn, prepare the seedbed, seed, water, or mow. They’re often more disease and insect prone, requiring more fertilizer and water. Reseed vs. Renovate Manage weeds. SHARE. A common mistake rookie aerators and overseeders make is thinking that the natural rain cycle will provide all the water you need, but a few days without moisture could mean bad news for a new seed. Overseeding newer turfgrass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. Mowing after Overseeding The grass will suffer stress when mowed; hence, the best thing to do after overseeding is to give it a rest. Check Weekend 2 Aeration. 2. Save water – Getting ryegrass seed to germinate requires watering three times a day or more, and spikes in water usage are always noticeable during the months of October and November when winter rye is seeded. I originally thought I would attempt overseeding my lawn this Fall, but decided it was better left to a professional since this would achieve much better results The course of action will be to have the lawn aerated, starter fertilizer (Lesco 18-24-12 50%POLYPLUS) and seed (ALL PRO TRANSITION SEED BLEND) Despite this, I need advice on a watering schedule once the grass seed is laid down. How often should I overseed my lawn? This will prep it for the seed. If weeds are present, you will need to spray your lawn with ... Water the lawn completely immediately after overseeding. The cooler temperatures and break from the summer drought create ideal conditions for success. The following is a recommended watering regimen. Water the seeded area thoroughly after seeding for no less than one half hour per area. Doc discusses overseeding a fall lawn. Fertilize the Area This will both establish good soil moisture and wash the seed into the soil. Regularly Water the Overseeded Area . Keep the lawn well-watered for at least the first few weeks. Seeds need water to germinate. How often should I water ? Overseeding Fescue Lawns. Cool season lawns should be lightly overseeded with the same type of grass they currently have. 2. Use a Mulch (Optional) A mulch over your newly overseeded lawn is helpful but definitely optional. The lawn can usually be overseeded 3 to 4 days after applying a general lawn fertiliser, however, you will usually need to wait about 4 weeks after applying a feed, weed & moss killer. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required. If you maintain fescue in a transition zone region like the Richmond, VA area, overseeding fescue is best to do on a yearly basis. Watering is the last step to establishing a winter lawn, and it is the most important because the seeds won’t germinate without moisture. The seeds need plenty of water to thrive; much more than normally needed throughout the year. After the seed is established, you can proceed to water your lawn less frequently and for a longer period of time. How to Overseed a Lawn 1. If your lawn has not been fed in the last 4 months we recommend feeding the lawn before overseeding. Fall is the optimal time to reseed a lawn. To grow a healthy lawn, water must reach and be fully absorbed by the grass roots, which requires watering often enough to suit your lawn’s soil type. This might be once or twice a day, depending on the weather. These stressful times for your lawn include not only the hot summer months, but also the cold winter months when there is really nothing you can do for an unhealthy lawn. For the first week water three times a day, at morning to mid morning, noon and … The amount of water your grass needs to stay healthy. Make sure you thoroughly water all of the overseeded areas, keeping the top 1/4 inch of soil moist. Days 1 through 3: Water, water, water! Hence, during the first two weeks, water the overseeded areas twice a day, or even more under dryer conditions, soaking the top ¼ inch of the soil. It is best to water the lawn at least three to four times daily. Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. Lawn aeration can help move the needle in the right direction. Water the lawn thoroughly after sowing the seed, and continue to water at least twice daily until the seeds germinate and reach a height of 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Then mow, dethatch and aerate your lawn to help the grass seed make contact with the soil and let air, water and fertilizer reach the roots. Water … Top Ten Reasons Not to Plant a Winter Lawn: 10. The answer can vary depending on environmental factors as well as the type of lawn being maintained. Moist soil and seeds create the ideal conditions necessary for germination. 5.) Water the Lawn. Homeowners may decide to forego overseeding the front yard in lieu of overseeding the backyard where family and pets play. Aerating is often accompanied by overseeding, which is the process of planting grass seeds on the existing lawn without tearing up the grass or soil. 2. Doing so helps the roots of the grass grow deep into the ground and makes the lawn more tolerant of drought. Bargain seed is often poor quality and can contain multiple undesirable varieties. For the first ten days after overseeding, make sure to water the overseeded area at least twice each day. Start by lightly watering the lawn a couple of times a day in the first few weeks. ... Be sure to fertilize with a starter fertilizer before turning on your water. Is the lawn … The analysis should be similar to a 6-20-20 (6% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, 20% potassium) or 15-15-15 (15% each of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) mix. Mow Low. How much water your new grass needs really depends on how much water is distributed from your sprinklers, soil conditions, and the weather. ... Water regularly with a fine spray keeping the seedbed constantly moist. The rates will vary between 5-10 lbs per 1000 sq ft and Doc shows you a light overseed project. Lawn Aeration Sets the Optimal Foundation for Overseeding. Even with ideal conditions, proper watering is critical to successful overseeding. Generally, give the lawn about 1 inch of water a week, delivered in one or two sessions. Step 5: Water the Lawn Ensure that the seeds and soil remain regularly moist, watering once or twice a day until the new lawn has reached the old grass’s height—water your lawn as necessary to avoid wilting to establish a robust and stable root system. Nice sized plugs acheived. Constant over watering or frequent underwatering promotes shallow roots, a sure way to damage your lawn during times of stress. Plan to water daily and possibly twice daily (unless it’s raining) until your new grass is two inches high. Wise watering practices not only conserve water but help to build a stronger, healthier lawn. Before you overseed, ask yourself the following questions: Will the grass area be used? The newer turfgrass varieties are better able to resist damage from drought, diseases and lawn damaging insects. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating. For about three weeks after seeding , or until the grass begins to … of a great deal of water. PREPARE: Mow the lawn closely. Fall Over-Seeding / Winter Lawn. Your lawn always needs and loves water and you should always provide it with enough to keep it growing healthy. A Water-Efficient Winter Lawn can be achieved by following the proper steps. Keep watering. After the first ten days, give only sufficient water to prevent wilting. Weekend 1 power raked. These simple methods will help you with a recently aerated lawn to improve grass health, suppress weeds, and save you a lot of lawn maintenance in the long run. Lightly apply water for 10 to 20 minutes to the overseeded lawn once or twice a day until the seeds have germinated—this usually takes about 7 to 10 days. Remember to identify your grass type before you begin. Typically, 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening should be enough to keep the top two inches of soil moist. 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