Right along the line between cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses, Kansas likely sees more lawn renovation in the fall than anywhere in the country, he says. Fescue grass grows best in well-drained soils at air temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and comes in a number of different cultivars:.
Not using high-quality seed is one of the top mistakes Good sees when homeowners overseed in the fall. For fescue blends in particular, he says to look at the weed or crop percentage in the seed. You want it to be zero. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension lays out some guidelines for picking the right grass seed. All the information is on the seed bag:. Mow the existing lawn short, says the Nebraska Extension. Cut to about 1.
A short cut also helps sunlight reach new seedlings and prevents seeds from getting stuck in the vegetation. If you have a thicker layer of thatch than that, use a power rake, aerator or another tool to dethatch your lawn.
The North Carolina Extension recommends aerating to reduce soil compaction and help increase soil to seed contact. Holes left when you aerate also capture seeds and hold moisture, leading tall fescue seedlings to come up in tufts from the core aeration holes. A verticutter, or vertical mower, makes sure the seed comes into contact with the soil once you spread it. Some homeowners will also apply topsoil as a topdressing when overseeding.
You want to wait until the soil temperature falls to 50 degrees to 65 degrees Fahrenheit to get the best germination from your fescue seeds.
That generally equates to days when air temperature consistently hits 60 to 75 degrees. Next up is a starter fertilizer. The Kansas State University Extension says this is the only product other than seeds needed for seeding a lawn. Where a lawn is thin or completely brown in winter but is otherwise healthy with no major problems related to diseases, pests, weeds, compaction, drainage, a too-thick thatch layer or soil nutrition, overseeding provides a viable means to improve the appearance of your lawn.
The amount of grass seed required to achieve a full, green lawn depends on the species of grass chosen for overseeding and the size of the area that you will overseed. Measure the edges of the lawn area you plan to overseed in feet. If the lawn space has more than four approximate edges or has an irregular shape, subdivide the area into smaller squares or rectangles and measure adjacent edges on each rectangle.
If you measure several of these rectangles, create a small diagram with dimensions to keep track of the measurements. Multiply the two adjacent sides of each rectangle and add the total of each rectangle, in square feet, to determine the total area of grass you will overseed. Round up to an increment of 10 or to simplify the calculations.
Tough, warm-season lawn weeds , such as crabgrass and nutsedge , are less active in fall, too. The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance service recommends overseeding at least 45 days before your average first fall frost. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall. Mow your lawn extra short and remove the clippings, so new seed contacts soil and gets sunlight and water. Set your mower at two inches or less for regular overseeding.
For southern lawns and winter color, set the blade as low as it goes, and cut just above the soil—what's known as scalping. Rake the soil with a metal thatch rake to remove thatch , clippings and debris. This loosens and exposes soil to receive seed. For troubles beyond normal thinning, test your soil and make corrections before overseeding. Follow test recommendations for using soil amendments and repairing bare lawn spots. If needed, take time to dethatch and core aerate compacted lawns so air, moisture and seed can get to the soil.
Pennington One Step Complete products combine premium seed with a stabilized-release fertilizer and wood mulch to simplify lawn repairs. Better seed yields better lawns. Always use grasses recommended for your regional climate and choose top-quality grass seed you can depend on.
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Apply seed at label-recommended overseeding rates, using the lawn spreader that suits the job. Use drop or broadcast spreaders for large lawns and handheld spreaders for smaller areas.
For small spots, simply seed from your hand. Work when the air is calm, so seed distributes evenly. Starter fertilizer, such as Pennington Ultragreen Starter Fertilizer , delivers essential nutrients for new grass.
Phosphorus supports vigorous root growth, while nitrogen fuels top growth and greening. Some states and counties restrict phosphorus lawn fertilizers due to environmental concerns regarding runoff, but exceptions may be made for new seedings. Check with your local county extension agent about nutrient application restrictions. Newly overseeded lawns need consistent moisture.
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