Give Your Lawn a Fresh Start: A Comprehensive Guide to Overseeding and Reseeding

By now, we're all aware of the benefits of eco-friendly lawns and ground cover. However, it's no secret that many people are reluctant to part ways with their traditional lawns. If you're one of those people who can't imagine life without a fescue monoculture in your front or backyard, I'm here to tell you that while it might not be the best idea, if you're going to do it, now is the perfect time. The warm weather and rainy conditions create an ideal environment for germinating grass seed. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of overseeding and reseeding, let's clarify the terminology. Overseeding means applying new seed to an existing lawn, while reseeding involves starting from scratch. This means removing the existing grass, re-prepping the ground, and then planting new grass seed. Now, let's explore the reasons why people choose to overseed or reseed. Patchy grass can be resolved by overseeding, while a thin lawn or visible dirt below the lawn can be improved by increasing density through overseeding. Additionally, overseeding is an excellent opportunity to introduce new, superior strains of fescue or diversify the existing strains.On the other hand, people generally opt for reseeding when the ground has become uneven, filled with weeds, terribly thatched, or has roots growing through. Installing irrigation below the lawn is another common reason for reseeding. In these cases, tearing everything up and addressing the ground under the grass itself is the best course of action. Now that you have a better understanding of why people overseed or reseed let's explore how to do it. To overseed, you'll need to scarify the ground or top-dress the existing lawn with compost to ensure the grass seed touches a growing medium. Reseeding requires additional steps, such as removing the existing lawn, aerating the ground, sheet mulching with cardboard, and adding compost before planting the grass seed. Finally, it's crucial to protect and cultivate your seeds. Lawn mulch is an excellent way to ensure moisture and protect the seeds from birds and other animals. During the first few weeks, ensure the seeds are always moist by watering as needed. Remember, if the ground is moist, the seeds will absorb moisture from the ground. Lastly, wait to mow until the lawn reaches five to six inches tall before winter sets in before winter sets in.