| When is the best time to overseed your lawn , and what is the best way to go about it? |
| You can overseed your lawn in the spring or in the early fall. You have several tool options for spreading seed evenly and at the recommended rate. They include your own hands, handheld and walk-behind spreaders, and slit seeders, which are power machines that cut shallow slits in the soil and sow seed at the same time. Start by mowing your lawn shorter than your normally do so grass seed can make good contact with the soil rather than end up on the tops of long grass blades. If you will be spreading seed by hand simply walk up and down the lawn and toss the seeds as if you were feeding chickens. If you use a spreader, set the spreader to deliver the specific type of seed you have purchased. (Amounts to use will be listed on the grass seed package.) For sowing grass seed, the recommended approach is to apply seed to the edges of the area you are sowing first. Then divide your seed and apply half while walking in one direction, the other half while walking in a perpendicular direction. Spread extra seed on bare areas. When you are finished spreading seed, water lightly to move the seeds down to the soil so they make good contact. Enjoy your lush new lawn! |
