There is nothing like the feeling of a fresh, new lawn under your feet. To this end, reseeding helps you get that new grass lawn you’ve always wanted. By following these steps, and with a little bit of hard work, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn that will add curb appeal to your home, and that’s perfect for summer barbecues!
If you’re looking to reseed your lawn, don’t worry – it’s easier than you think! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step. This guide will take you through the entire process, from removing the old grass and weeds to fertilizing and watering your new lawn. Follow these steps and in no time at all you’ll have a lush green yard that everyone will envy. So grab your tools and let’s get started!
What is Reseeding?
Reseeding is the act of replanting grass seeds. This is often done when the lawn has become patchy or thin, and new grass is needed to fill in the gaps. Reseeding can also be done to change the type of grass that is currently growing in your lawn.
Reseeding work usually involves a quite laborious process. First you have to kill off, or at least significantly reduce, the grass you currently have in your lawn. You don’t want the new grass seeds fighting for resources with the old grass! Then, you’ll have to prepare the soil as if you’re planting fresh new grass seed, and then set about reseeding.
Differences with Overseeding
Reseeding is a different task from overseeding. Overseeding is the process of adding new grass seed to an existing lawn. This is often done when the lawn has become thin, or when patches of brown or dead grass are visible.
Like reseeding, overseeding can also be used to thicken up a lawn that has been over-fertilized, or to introduce a different type of grass into the mix. However, the main difference between the two is that with overseeding you don’t remove the original grass lawn you had, but simply add new grass seed over it.
When Is Reseeding Required?
There are a few reasons why you might want to reseed your lawn. One of the most common reasons is that the lawn has become patchy or thin. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as disease, pests, or wear and tear. If the lawn is patchy or thin, it will not look very attractive, and it may be difficult to walk or play on.
Another reason to reseed your lawn is to change the type of grass that is currently growing. If you are not happy with the type of grass that is currently in your lawn, you can use this guide to reseed it with a different type of grass.
Finally, reseeding your lawn is a great way to improve its health. New grass will help to fill in the gaps, and will also help to improve the overall health of your lawn.
Season
As for the time of the year when you should reseed, that depends on the type of grass you have on your lawn. Cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses should be seeded at different times of the year.
For cool-season grass, the best time to reseed your lawn is in the spring or the early fall, when the weather is cool and moist. This is the time of year when new grass will have the best chance of growing and thriving. For warm-season grasses, on the other hand, you can reseed your lawn in the late spring up to the early summer, when the weather is warm and moist, but not yet scorching from the full summer sun.
What You’ll Need
Depending on what steps below you’ll need to do when looking to reseed your lawn, here is a list of specific tools and materials you might need to use.
For tools, a good garden rake, a lawn mower, a garden tiller, a seed spreader, a shovel, and a sprinkler are all going to be helpful throughout your reseeding work.
When it comes to materials, you’ll definitely need grass seed, and aside from that gather black garbage bags (or a non-selective herbicide), lawn fertilizer and a soil conditioner.
All of these tools and materials will be for used for either removing your current grass or for planting new grass seed.
Steps on How to Reseed Your Lawn
Now that you know what reseeding is, and are sure you want to do it, let’s get down to the main information of this article. The steps below will guide you through the entire process of reseeding your lawn, from start to finish.
Remove Current Grass and Weeds
The first step in reseeding your lawn is to kill off or at least greatly reduce the amount of existing grass. You can do this in one of two ways: by using a non-selective herbicide that will kill any vegetation it is sprayed on, or by covering the existing lawn with black garbage bags for a few weeks.
If you choose to use a herbicide, be very careful to follow the instructions carefully, and make sure not to get any on any other plants or flowers you may have in your yard. If you do use an herbicide to get rid of your grass, wait at least a month before planting new grass, so that the lawn is completely free of any remaining herbicide chemicals!
If you choose to use garbage bags, make sure to overlap the seams of each bag and keep them sealed tightly. The bags will need to be left on for at least 2-3 weeks to be effective.
After either method is complete, you will then be able to rake up the dead grass and weeds, and dispose of them in the trash or compost pile.
Prepare Your Soil
Once the old grass and weeds have been removed, it’s time to prepare the soil. First, remove any large objects or debris from your lawn – you want only soil to be visible where you are working to replant new grass.
Additionally, tilling the soil will help to break up any large clumps, and will also help to mix in some of the new topsoil and organic matter that you’ll be adding later on. A garden tiller can be rented from most hardware stores, or you can use a shovel to do the job by hand.
If your soil is particularly hard or compacted, you should look into aerating it. This works to remove cores of dirt, or digs spikes into the ground, so that water and nutrients can more efficiently be introduced into the soil and the root system.
Additionally, you may also want to add a soil conditioner at this point. A soil conditioner will help to loosen up the soil and make it easier for the new grass seeds to take hold, as well as improve the fertility of the soil and its ability to provide the grass with nutrients.
Choose Your Grass Seed
Now is the time to choose the best grass seed to plant in your yard. This will be based on your climate and soil type and the amount of sun your lawn receives. There are two main types of grass, and these are called cool-season grass and warm-season grass.
Cool-season grass thrives in areas with mild or cool summers, with two spikes of rapid development in the spring and fall. These grasses begin germinating at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 C) and accomplish their greatest rate of growth between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (10 – 25 C).
These cool-season grasses are lush and green, and grow in thick, carpet-like lawns with minimal thatch, and they can withstand cold weather. Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bentgrass, and Fescues are examples of cool-season grasses.
On the other hand, warm-season grasses are grass species that begin growing when the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celsius), and they thrive in temperatures ranging from 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (25 – 35 C). In the winter, they go dormant and take on a brown color.
Many warm season grasses are drought resistant and can withstand tremendous summer heat. Zoysia Grass, Bermuda Grass, St. Augustine Grass, and Buffalo Grass are all examples of warm-season grasses.
If you have a cool-season grass, you want to seed your lawn most ideally in the fall, from the middle of August to the end of September. However, they can also be planted in the spring – between early April and the middle of May – if you had a tough winter and want to reseed for a great lawn for the summer.
Warm-season grasses are best planted in the spring as well, during the month of May. You wouldn’t want to plant these grasses in the fall. See our post on the best time to plant grass seed for more information.
Distribute the Grass Seed
Now it’s time to spread the grass seed. You can use a seed spreader for this, or you can simply do it by hand. Be sure to spread the seed evenly and thinly, as over-seeding can actually be counterproductive.
For a new lawn, seeds should be applied at a rate of 50 grams per square meter, while for overseeding an existing grass you should use around 35 grams per square meter.
Once the seeds have been spread, lightly rake them into the soil to help them get buried and to increase their contact with the moist soil. Don’t overdo this, however, as you might end up raking the seeds into clumps or unevenly distributing them!
Maintenance – Fertilizer and Water
After seeding, it’s very important to keep the soil well maintained until the new grass has germinated and started to grow. For example, when you’re done spreading the grass seed, go over the same area with a grass seed or new grass fertilizer. This will help your seed to get all the nutrients they need, and the further prepare the soil for when the seeds germinate and start to grow.
Additionally, you want to give your lawn a good, deep water right away after seeding and fertilizing. You also want to water every day after for up to six weeks. However, you don’t want to overwater or underwater it – the soil should feel moist for about an inch below the surface, but it’s important to not keep it too wet.
Different seeds have different germination times, so check out our post for more information about how long your grass will take to grow.
Finally, you shouldn’t be walking on your newly-planted grass lawn if you can help it. Try setting up boundaries with string to remind yourself and your family that it is off limits for about the first six weeks, until it has grown full and lush.
Conclusion
A thick, healthy lawn doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and effort to get your lawn looking its best. If you’re not sure how to go about reseeding your lawn, or if you’ve never done it before, don’t worry. Follow our advice, and you should be able to get your lawn back on track in no time.
Now that you know how to reseed your lawn, get started on this year’s project and watch your grass grow in thicker and greener! We hope you were able to take some good advice from this article. Be sure to follow the steps closely for the best results and if you have any questions, consult with a professional.
Have fun planting your new lawn and enjoy all of the compliments it will bring! Also, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to let us know in the section below. Have you tried reseeding your lawn? What tips would you share with others?
