Grass planting - Knowledgebase Question

Pittsburgh, Pe
Avatar for EJuliano
Question by EJuliano
March 4, 2009
I just wrote to ask about my grass that has weeds and spots that look like wheat. You said to overseed the entire lawn. When I overseed, she I sprike dirt then the grass see and then more dirt over the grass seed and just sprikle grass seed over the old grass? Thank you.


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Answer from NGA
March 4, 2009
If the soil is compacted - if your lawn gets lots of foot traffic or it is 4-5 years old, you can aerate it prior to sowing seeds. Rent an aerator that removes plugs rather than just spikes the ground. You can leave the plugs laying on the lawn and they will disintigrate as you water. After plugs are removed you can spread a thin layer of sand or compost over the entire lawn. This will work its way into the holes left by the plugger. After you've done that, broadcast seeds over the entire lawn, making sure to cover any bare spots where the grass has died. Overseeding the entire lawn will help it all green up at once. After you've broadcast the seeds, water well and keep it watered so the seeds can germinate. By the time the grass is ready for its first mowing the plugs will have deteriorated into nothing and the new grass will be well rooted. You don't have to bag the clippings, just leave them on the lawn. Eventually everything will level out, your soil will be well aerated and less compacted, and the new grass seed will make the entire area lush and green. Enjoy!

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