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To OverSeed or Not To OverSeed #768721

Asked August 23, 2021, 1:05 PM EDT

Rather large lawn Twinsburg OH (Summit County), lawn being taken over by crabgrass. Lawn care provider would like to over seed now to otherwise improve turf and infill existing bare spots, some in shaded areas. Questions: 1. Is now an acceptable time to over seed and aerate, or would later in fall, or early spring, when cooler temperatures and added moisture prevail be preferable? Lawn will also be fertilised in fall and early spring and broadleaf weed control added to regimen. 2. My understanding crabgrass dies over winter and re-emerges in spring. Reemergent crabgrass killer will be applied in spring, assuming this is best way to control crabgrass? 3. Key issue, if lawn is over seeded and aerated now, or spring, would crabgrass killer also kill newly spread seed? 4. Most of lawn receives full sun, as noted, also considerable shade. Should separate seed choices be made to accommodate sun and shade, or would you recommend single generic seed? Thank you for your recommendations!

Summit County Ohio

Expert Response

Your question about Overseeding has several parts.  First, most grasses in the Midwest grow best when it's under 75 degrees F, making autumn the ideal time to overseed. Be sure to give your new grass about a month before your first average first frost so it can get established.
 In the cooler northern climates, the best time to overseed is in late summer to early fall. In fall the soil is warm enough to support germination, but the temperatures aren't too extreme for the tender new grass to develop before winter sets in.
 In our Midwest region, cool season grasses like fescue and bluegrass perform the very best. Early spring green up and year-round good looks of fescue and bluegrass make beautiful lawns with the least amount of maintenance.  

The effective life of most preemergent treatments is about three months. After the spring treatment, any seed planted will not germinate.  Any corrections would have to wait until next fall.

www.trugreen.com has a garden advice section that may help.


Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com Replied August 25, 2021, 8:18 AM EDT

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