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Why You Should Be Overseeding Lawn In Fall - Lush Lawn

Written by Lush Lawn | Sep 3, 2021 8:00:53 AM

There are many benefits to overseeding your lawn, especially in the fall. After the long, hot summer and all of the foot traffic your lawn endured from those backyard barbecues and pool parties, your turf may need a pick-me-up. If you overseed your lawn, you’ll be doing just that.

So, let’s take a closer look at this important part of your lawn care regimen.

What Is Overseeding?

Overseeding is planting grass seed directly over your existing lawn after core aeration. The aeration holes create more room for new seeds to get under your grass blades and increase the chance for seed germination.

You may also need to dethatch your existing lawn so the seed and soil can make better contact. This will result in new grass and better root growth for your already existing lawn. 

The Benefits Of Overseeding Lawn In Fall

Fill in Bare Spots

Overseeding will help fill in any thin areas that are smaller than the size of a basketball. Larger areas will require a more detailed approach (actual seeding). 

Incorporate New Grass Into Existing Turf

Overseeding is also the best way to incorporate improved turf types into your lawn. At Lush Lawn, we’ve selected a blend of grass that includes perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and tall fescue.  This combination can typically improve the color of lawns in Michigan, as well as improve drought and insect resistance.  This blend works well in both full sun and partial shade environments.

Improves The Density Of Your Turf

Overseeding helps maintain the long-term health and vibrancy of your lawn area. Also, it saves you from the effort of removing weeds! If there are no thin or bare spots, then weeds can’t make their way through. This strengthens your lawn and thickens the grass. It increases the insect resistance ability of the lawn.

What is Slit Seeding?

If you’re putting in a new lawn or rehabbing a yard that is out of control, one of the most effective ways to guarantee a lush, green lawn is through slit seeding.

As the name suggests, slit seeding is done with a machine by cutting the ground and putting slits in it. The slit seeding machine is called a slit seeder. As the slit seeder moves along the ground, it slices it and drops seeds in the slice it creates.

Lush Lawn’s slit seeding machines have discs that slice the ground, drop the seeds directly into and cover them back up.

The Time To Overseed Your Lawn Is Now

In Michigan, early fall is the best time to overseed — typically between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15. That’s because soil temperatures are still warm, which is necessary for optimum seed germination, and cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. There are also fewer weeds for the grass to compete with at this time of the year. 

Although mid-August through September is the ideal time to repair or seed your lawn, if the weather is favorable, it may be possible to seed into early October. 

Lush Lawn’s seeding services can help breathe new life into your tired, worn-out lawn. In addition to our overseeding program options, we offer a Fall Lawn Care and Restoration program that’s designed to build up your grass, so it will come back stronger than ever next spring.

Don’t wait. Give your lawn the care it deserves. Contact us today.