With warmer weather recently, overseed now? - Ask Extension
Main problem is overall health of lawn.
Over decades with increased shade from neighborhood trees lining the sidewalk and county trees on adjacent Ho...
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With warmer weather recently, overseed now? #926540
Asked March 23, 2026, 8:38 AM EDT
Main problem is overall health of lawn.
Over decades with increased shade from neighborhood trees lining the sidewalk and county trees on adjacent Howard County property, the health of our fescue lawn has weakened, inviting weeds and now bares spots.
Last fall before the deadline for applying fertilizer, I overseeded an area of lawn with Leafgro and straw.
This worked well even in an area close to the sidewalk where dogs are known to mark.
Temperatures and rainfall factors determined when and the area I could address.
I'm trying to avoid weed killers and want to overseed the remainder of the lawn.
With the warmer weather recently, can I overseed now?
Thanks for any information you can provide.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Lisa,
Late summer and fall are the best times to reseed a lawn, however if you really want to try it now, wait until mid April so the soil has a chance to warm up.
Here's a link to our Lawn Maintenance Calendar for further information: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lawn-maintenance-calendar; this link will give you more information about lawn care:
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/lawns/lawn-care-and-maintenance
Thanks for contacting us.
Judy
Late summer and fall are the best times to reseed a lawn, however if you really want to try it now, wait until mid April so the soil has a chance to warm up.
Here's a link to our Lawn Maintenance Calendar for further information: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lawn-maintenance-calendar; this link will give you more information about lawn care:
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/lawns/lawn-care-and-maintenance
Thanks for contacting us.
Judy
