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Overseed

Overseeding is the process of spreading seed over an existing lawn to rejuvenate the grass, fill in thin areas, and incorporate low-maintenance seed mixes that require less water and fertilizer.

Benefits

  • Rejuvenates lawn.
  • Thickens grass.
  • Crowds out weeds.

Timing

  • You can overseed at any time during the growing season.
  • The best time is mid-August through mid-September.
  • The next best time is in May, after spring cleaning your lawn.

Best methods

  • Overseeding is the ideal next step after aerating and topdressing your lawn.
  • For best results, spread 1/4 to 1/2 the normal seeding rate recommended on the bag.
  • Lightly water to ensure seed-to-soil contact.
  • Keep the soil lightly watered for the next three weeks.
  • Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.

Don’t seed in the shade

  • Grass needs 6 hours of daily sunlight to thrive.
  • Don’t waste time and money trying to get grass to grow in the wrong place.
  • Try shade-tolerant native groundcovers that require little or no maintenance.

Use a low-maintenance mix

  • Mixes mainly comprised of fescues and perennial ryegrasses are best suited to tough Maine summers and winters. Most varieties of shady mixes contain a good blend of these grasses.
  • An ideal low-maintenance mix will contain roughly 60-70% fescues and 30-40% ryegrasses with at least two varieties of each species.
  • Look for “endophyte enhanced” for natural insect resistance.

Many of our partner stores stock low-maintenance seed mixes. Look for some of the following:

  • YardScaping or BayScaping Mix
  • TuffTurf Mix
  • Cottage Mix
  • Shady Mix

Tip: Adding 5% white clover to your seed mix will provide a source of nitrogen to naturally fertilize your lawn!

Credit: Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Learn more at: http://cumberlandswcd.org/site/yardscape-2/