How long after fertilizing should I overseed?

You can fertilize either immediately before or after you broadcast the grass seed. Keep the area moist until the grass sprouts, and then slowly reduce the watering frequency.

Then, can you fertilize and overseed at the same time?

Applying a starter fertilizer the same time as seeding a new lawn will ensure the emerging grass stalks have the nutrients they need to jump-start their growth. When seeding a lawn, you should never apply the fertilizer and seed together.

Furthermore, do I need to fertilize when I overseed? Using a Starter Fertilizer When overseeding lawns, you may find it necessary to apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. This is especially true if a soil test says your soil Phosphorus (P) is low.

In this way, how long after overseeding should I wait to fertilize?

Continue to mow the grass to a height of two inches for the remainder of the season. Mow the lawn when the grass is dry. Fertilize the lawn about six weeks after you sow the seed.

What kind of fertilizer should I use when overseeding?

Fertilize Overseeded Areas Avoid weed & feed products; the pre-emergent herbicides inhibit seed germination. Starter fertilizer, such as Pennington Ultragreen Starter Fertilizer 12-22-8, delivers essential nutrients for new grass. Phosphorus supports vigorous root growth, while nitrogen fuels top growth and greening.

31 Related Question Answers Found

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

By applying grass seed over an existing lawn, you can help fill in bare spots and reinvigorate your lawn. The weather, kids, and pets can be tough on lawns. Lack of water, too much heat, wear & tear, and other problems can make it look worn and thin. You can help reinvigorate your lawn by overseeding.

Will grass seed grow if you just throw it on the ground?

If grass seeds were randomly thrown on to dirt, they may sprout, because of the poor positioning of the seeds, and poor condition of where the seeds are expected to grow, their germination rate would be reduced. For grass seeds to grow, they require direct contact with the soil, which assists them to germinate.

Should I fertilize or seed first?

Fertilizing After Seeding

The initial fertilizer will feed the grass seeds as they begin to germinate, but because you have to keep grass seed consistently moist during this early growth period, the food will wash out of the soil relatively quickly. This application will continue to boost seed germination and growth.

How can I thicken my lawn?

Improve Your Soil. To get the most out of every step to a thicker lawn, take a tip from lawn pros and test your soil.
Overseed. Overseeding is simply sowing grass seed into existing grass to make thin lawns thick—or keep them from getting thin.
Fertilize.
Boost Your Lawn.
Irrigate.
Mow Properly.
Control Weeds.

Can you put grass seed and turf builder down at the same time?

Scotts Super Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control works on several species of lawn grasses. While the company's website recommends waiting four weeks to put down grass seed after applying the weed and feed, seeding first means waiting a different length of time before you use the product.

How many acres does a 50 lb bag of grass seed cover?

For example, if the recommended seeding rate for a specific blend of grasses is 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet, multiply 6 by 43.56 to get 261.36. Thus you would need just over 261 pounds of seed for 1 acre.

How do I seed and fertilize my lawn?

How to Seed & Fertilize Your Lawn in the Spring

Overseed in the spring when the existing turfgrass is still dormant.
Spread new grass seed.
Apply a starter fertilizer according to package specifications.
Spread a thin (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch) layer of peat moss over the seeded and fertilized turfgrass.

Can you put down too much grass seed?

All plants, including grass plants, need adequate soil space for roots to spread and develop. If you put down too much grass seed, you will encourage competition that will cause your grass seedlings to struggle after germination because there will be excessive competition for sunlight, soil nutrients, and water.

Will fertilizer kill grass seed?

TIPS: Always avoid the use of any of the “weed & feed” fertilizers with new seed. These may work great for spring use on established lawns, but the chemicals used in these fertilizers can damage or kill your newly planted grass while it is attempting to establish itself.

Can you aerate too much?

Loose soil doesn't need to be aerated very often. Especially thick types of grass may also call for aerating more frequently. As a general rule, you shouldn't need to aerate more than once a year at any time ("too much of a good thing" applies here, since you don't want to damage your soil).

Should I bag my grass clippings after overseeding?

Do not bag. Mulch your clippings. What you are hoping for is there will be no more looose seed and any that gets into the mulching mower will not become destroyed. The mulched clippings will provide some nutrients as well as help hold in water and shade the ground.

Can you seed after fertilizing?

You can plant grass seed immediately after applying fertilizer. Please make sure there is no weed preventer in the fertilizer, as this will also prevent the grass seed from germinating.

How long is grass seed good for?

HOW LONG CAN YOU STORE GRASS SEED? According to the Scotts Company, grass seed is good for 2 to 3 years. Grass seed that is less than one year old is best, however. Storage also varies by seed type, with ryegrass seed staying viable for up to 5 years with proper storage.

Do you have to aerate before overseeding?

The best time to aerate your lawn is during the fall before you begin a fertilization program or decide to overseed. The aeration spikes should penetrate the soil at least 1 ½ inches deep, depending on your existing soil conditions. Run your irrigation system after the turf has been aerated.

How do you spread topsoil to an existing lawn?

Spread the soil using something flat, like the back side of a heavy garden rake, working it into aeration holes and covering low spots. Make sure the top-dressing is no more than 1” deep (preferably ½” or less) over the existing grass. Keep working the mixture until your grass peeks through and the depth is even.

How often should I fertilize my grass?

For most lawns, applying fertilizer once or twice a year is enough to keep your grass green and healthy. Precisely when you apply fertilizer depends partly on your climate, but mostly on the type of grass you have. The key is to fertilize during the season when your grass is doing the most growing.

How do you overseed a weedy lawn?

Here are the easy, step-by-step instructions for overseeding your lawn:

Before you start your overseeding project, it's important to water your yard deeply.
Pull up or otherwise remove any large weeds in your existing grass.
Mow your existing grass.
Remove thatch.
Aerate your grass.