Lawn - Ask Extension
Best seed and when to overseed
Knowledgebase
Lawn #877667
Asked July 17, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT
Best seed and when to overseed
Lake County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Morning,
If your lawn isn't thick & healthy you should determine why.
I highly recommend first doing a soil test to determine the fertility of your soil. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer
Other possibilities include: soil compaction, moisture problems, low pH or excessive shade. Finding any of these conditions necessitates some correction or the lawn will decline.
Important to successful lawn seeding is seed-to-soil contact which promotes successful germination and turf establishment. Read the following article: Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Lawn renovation (overseeding) requires soil cultivation (of some sort) to promote seed-to-soil contact for successful seed germination. Since digging is off the table - cultivation by using a dethatcher set to penetrate the soil to a depth of about 1/4” will expose enough soil to provide a good seedbed for establishment. A second option is to core aerate the lawn, rake new seed into the holes and lightly irrigate daily for 3 weeks to promote germination. (raking compost over the aerated lawn is also good!) Read the attached:
Lawn Renovation & Over-seeding-UMass
Core Aeration of Lawns-Iowa St
Lawn aeration-UMd
Core Aeration of lawns-Illinois
How to Overseed A Lawn-Iowa
The best time to overseed is early September (fall) because of moderating temperatures, fall rains and minimal competition from weeds germinating. Use the spring and summer to improve lawn fertility (soil test recommendations) and correct any undesirable environmental conditions.
Selecting the right type of grass for your site and use: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and fine fescue are cool-season turf grasses commonly used in Michigan. These grasses grow best when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees F and when air temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees F. These conditions occur in both spring and fall in Michigan. Without irrigation, cool-season turf grasses may become dormant during periods of hot or dry weather in the summer. Establishing a New Lawn Using Seed - MSU Extension
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
If your lawn isn't thick & healthy you should determine why.
I highly recommend first doing a soil test to determine the fertility of your soil. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer
Other possibilities include: soil compaction, moisture problems, low pH or excessive shade. Finding any of these conditions necessitates some correction or the lawn will decline.
Important to successful lawn seeding is seed-to-soil contact which promotes successful germination and turf establishment. Read the following article: Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Lawn renovation (overseeding) requires soil cultivation (of some sort) to promote seed-to-soil contact for successful seed germination. Since digging is off the table - cultivation by using a dethatcher set to penetrate the soil to a depth of about 1/4” will expose enough soil to provide a good seedbed for establishment. A second option is to core aerate the lawn, rake new seed into the holes and lightly irrigate daily for 3 weeks to promote germination. (raking compost over the aerated lawn is also good!) Read the attached:
Lawn Renovation & Over-seeding-UMass
Core Aeration of Lawns-Iowa St
Lawn aeration-UMd
Core Aeration of lawns-Illinois
How to Overseed A Lawn-Iowa
The best time to overseed is early September (fall) because of moderating temperatures, fall rains and minimal competition from weeds germinating. Use the spring and summer to improve lawn fertility (soil test recommendations) and correct any undesirable environmental conditions.
Selecting the right type of grass for your site and use: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and fine fescue are cool-season turf grasses commonly used in Michigan. These grasses grow best when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees F and when air temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees F. These conditions occur in both spring and fall in Michigan. Without irrigation, cool-season turf grasses may become dormant during periods of hot or dry weather in the summer. Establishing a New Lawn Using Seed - MSU Extension
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
