Like many homeowners, gardeners, and green lawn enthusiasts, you’d want healthy grass around your property. If that’s you, it’s essential to know that overseeding is part of the process. Still, you would be right to wonder how you should go about it. Is throwing more than a handful of grass seed down your lawn best? How
This question always makes the rounds because many think that is the best way to address patches on their lawns. However, they get sad and frustrated when their efforts do not go as planned. More specifically, their newly sprinkled grass seeds fail to germinate and sprout into green beauty.
Read on to learn what randomly throwing grass seeds does to your existing lawn and whether you’re doing it right!
Can I Simply Throw Grass Seed Down on My Existing Lawn?
Generally, the answer to this question is no. You cannot just throw grass seed on your lawn and consider it a job well done. If you do this, much of your expensive seed won’t germinate. For this reason, there are some things you must do so that your grass seed has the best conditions for growth.
If you must see great results on your lawn, you must invest the time and effort to seed your lawn. For example, you must efficiently and effectively combine soil aeration with overseeding and topdressing your lawn.
Other standout factors to consider are watering and mowing your lawn. So, while you can throw seed down on the existing lawn, you’ll risk too much.
Overseeding: Steps to Sow Grass Seed on Existing Lawn
The best way to overseed an existing lawn is by following the steps below.
1. Mow Your Lawn
Some consider this step the second after selecting the grass type they want to plant. But what happens when you’re mind isn’t made up? That’s why experts recommend mowing the grass before overseeding. When you cut first, it gives the seeds a better chance to reach the soil and germinate.
Give your lawn a good trim by cutting it shorter than you normally would because you’re introducing new seeds to the bunch. This will open up the turf for overseeding. Once the job is done, rake or bag the clippings.
Benefits of mowing include reduced competition from surviving grasses and good exposure to sunlight.
2. Pick the Right Seeds
Now, you can pick the rusher seeds for your lawn. It’s tempting to grasp the first seed and throw it around your lawn. That might lead you to the wrong choice with vast implications for your existing lawn.
Match the grass seed to the existing lawn. Look at your grass’s blades and decide whether they’re flat or fine. Also, consider the environment, such as soil type, sunlight, water, etc.
3. Remove Debris, Weeds, and Unwanted Items
Preparing your lawn for overseeding also involves clearing any debris from it. Grass seeds can get trapped by stones and weeds. If you have broadleaf weeds at this stage, manually rake them out, or use organic weed killer.
Thatch may have formed over time since they’re mostly a layer of dead and dry grass on top of the soil. Use a leaf rake to break it up and dispose of it.
Dethatching allows water and nutrients to reach the new seeds easily and improves the germination rate, helping patchy lawns become healthy and green again.
4. Aerate the Lawn
Aeration is part of the process. It’s the best way to loosen up the lawn soil. Use a garden fork to make holes in the ground or hollow tine or core aerators to perform this task.
When you aerate your lawn, it’s easier for new seeds to reach water, air, and nutrients. Also, the process deals with compacted soil and creates a spade for the new grass seeds to germinate properly.
Ensure the soil has moisture before aerating because dry soil is hard to penetrate. You might accidentally damage your turf while working on dry soil.
5. Apply Lawn Feed
Lawn feeds have grown in importance because seedlings are generally weak and vulnerable. They may even face attacks from peers and birds picking them before they grow. However, you can ensure the seeds survive and thrive using a starter feed.
Starter feed is high in phosphorus and encourages grass seeds to take root quickly. Conversely, you can use a quick-release starter fertilizer. Apply it in areas where you will plant the new grass seeds to help them enjoy the necessary nutrients and establish themselves.
Please, do not use a fertilizer designed for mature grass! Such fertilizers lack enough phosphorus and will not promote seedling growth.
6. Time to Sow the Seeds
If you’re considering throwing grass seed down on an existing lawn, ditch those plans immediately. It would help if you sowed the seeds properly, or they may end up on the top of the soil and not germinate.
You can use your hands to sprinkle some grass seeds for smaller patches. But for larger areas, a seed dispenser makes sense for use.
Sometimes, you may have to reseed the lawn, especially if the wind has blown some seeds around or you want to achieve balance. When you finish, loosely rake in the seeds and gently cover them with fine mulch or topdressing material. This way, the lawn maintains moisture and warmth while the topdressing protects the seed from birds.
Note that you must not mix grass seed with topsoil when overseeding. That’s because topsoil lacks nutrients for healthy germination and may even suffocate the seedlings.
7. Water Lawn
Finally, the part you’ve been waiting for! You’d undoubtedly want to see your work completed by providing water for your freshly sown lawn. Grass seeds need moisture to germinate, as dry conditions will adversely affect them. So, keep watering the lawn for several weeks after sowing.
Experts recommend using a fine spray to wager your lawn. However, use it carefully because it can wash your seeds away or clump them together in some spots.
Once your new grass has blended in, reduce the watering frequency and shorten the periods.
How Much New Grass Seeds?
You need to sow the right amount of new grass on your lawn. Just because you have a 1-acre lot doesn’t mean you need 2 acres of grass seed spread. At this rate, grass will grow on your driveway and patio!
Get an accurate measurement of the lawn areas of your property, then use that information to spread the perfect amount of seed. After sowing the seeds, gently work the seed into the soil. There are several tools to help you do that.
Conclusion
It’s not ideal to throw grass seeds down on an existing lawn. Your new seedlings need the best care possible, and owning them on an existing lawn will help you grow a healthy, lush lawn.
But to maintain it, you must be strategic with the sowing process. That’s why following the steps above are critical to getting the healthy, green lawn you want.
Proper mowing, selection of seeds, watering, aerating, and fertilizing are some things you must consider. Now that you know this, use an excellent seeder to overseed your existing lawn. Just throwing seeds down will affect their growth and disappoint you with the results.
Alex is a skilled gardener and lawn care expert with over 5 years of experience in the field. He developed a passion for horticulture at a young age and has since dedicated his life to mastering the art of landscaping. When he's not tending to gardens and lawns, Alex enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.
