Can I combine overseeding with other fall tasks?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Overseeding works rooted in other practices being done in the fall. Combining overseeding with core aeration allows for the direct contact of seed to soil; I've seen the germination rate go from an average of 50% to 90% within the blades of grass that had core aeration above and overhead watering. Be sure to time it with the starter fertilizer to help feed young root systems while ensuring young seedlings are not "burned" by an extra excess concentration of nitrogen.
Aeration Pairing
- Aerate first to create 3-inch deep channels
- Overseed within 48 hours for soil contact
- Use 8-10 lbs seed per 1,000 sq ft
- Roll area to press seeds into holes
Fertilizer Integration
- Apply 12-25-10 starter fertilizer post-seeding
- Avoid nitrogen-heavy formulas (promote weeds)
- Water immediately to activate nutrients
- Reapply at half rate after 4 weeks
Morning watering is imperative following overseeding. Ten-minute light waterings at dawn can prevent the sod from drying without also fostering disease to form in the slope. A client in Missouri lost sixty percent of new grass established when he watered in the evening and switched to morning watering to save his lawn. Use pulsating sprinklers for more even coverage on slopes.
Steer clear of these blunders:overseeding without ensuring contact with the soil, sowing any seed that has expired, or not topdressing after your sowed. I prefer to mix topdress 1/4-inch of compost across sowed areas; it acts as a blanket for the seed and provides microbes to the area. I worked with a Minnesota homeowner and this approach improved their germination rate 3 foldeven with early snowfalls.
Read the full article: 10 Expert Fall Lawn Care Strategies for a Lush Yard
