How To Overseed Lawn Without Aerating

A couple of months ago, I noticed my lawn was starting to look scanty and brown in some places and I was confused about what was going on. I took to research and found what I needed to do to take better care of my lawn.

Have you noticed your lawn looking a bit off? Maybe some bare spots and brown patches here and there? Don’t fret! There’s a solution right here to help you get your luscious lawn back in no time.

Overseeding is mostly the way to go to ensure your lawn is healthy and it is best done without aerating. You might wonder exactly how to overseed your lawn without aerating, this post will tell you all you need to know.

Overseeding is quite easy and something that you can do yourself when you’re equipped with the right information.

What Is Overseeding?

Overseeding refers to planting additional grass seeds directly onto an existing lawn without removing or destroying the already functional turf.

Overseeding is usually done to get rid of brown patches and increase the density of the lawn thereby ridding it of bare spots, and improving the color and varieties of grass planted. 

When Should You Overseed Your Lawn?

The appropriate time to overseed your lawn typically varies according to where you live.

In the colder northern climates, it is best to overseed in the late summer or early fall. 

In late summer, the temperature is too warm making it unsuitable for seeds to grow. Early fall and late summer have the most appropriate weather conditions for the grass to grow. 

Spring is another season to overseed since the soil is still warm and moist enough for seeds to grow properly and evenly. It should be done early enough to allow seedlings to attach well to the soil before summer begins.

What to Know Before Overseeding Your Lawn

Before you overseed without aerating, you should ensure that you find out what exactly may have caused your old lawn to start drying out or withering.

There could be various reasons ranging from soil type to care techniques. If they are things that need to be taken care of before overseeding without aerating, not paying attention may cause the situation to repeat itself.

Some of the problems that should be taken note of and corrected include:

• Insufficient water supply to the soil
• Soil Infertility
• Poor Air Circulation 
• Minimal Sunlight
• Improper Drainage
• Soil Compaction 
• Wrong Grass Variety for the climate of the area.
• Neglect 

If you are finding it difficult to identify what may have caused the deterioration of your lawn, contact lawn professionals who can help you with diagnosing and proffering solutions.

Benefits Of Overseeding Your Lawn

Overseeding has many benefits which ultimately help to improve the quality of your lawn. 

• Old turf is prone to attacks by pests, garden diseases, harsh weather conditions and heavy traffic. Overseeding helps to improve the immunity of your lawn grass to all of these.
• Overseeding is a time-effective way to fill in bare spots and brown patches on your lawn.
• Overseeding does not require the destruction of the turf. It just requires the addition of extra seeds which birth a new and improved lawn.

Why is Overseeding Without Aerating a Great Option?

Soil aeration is a process of gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere that allows water and air to come in close contact so that dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be removed.

It is dependent on the soil type and is not compulsory as long as the land can be loosened in another way.

• If timed improperly, aeration can stress the grass and so aerating a lawn you’re trying to revive is not a good idea.
• Aeration could give your lawn an unkempt look for a while after it is done.
• The soil also becomes thick and soggy which makes walking on the lawn to perform other tasks difficult.
• Wet soil could also choke the seedlings in the process of walking around your lawn.

How To Overseed Your Lawn Without Aerating

There are various steps to take in overseeding without aerating.

• Mowing Your Existing Turf or Lawn
  The first step to take is to mow your lawn and reduce the level to about one inch above the ground level. This allows sunlight to reach the soil and ensures that the existing grass does not hinder the incoming seedlings from growing well. 
• Dethatch the Garden Surface
  The next step is to remove the layers of thatch to avoid the seedlings getting stuck or germinating poorly.
  It is recommended to do this in winter so the soil could recover before seeding time since a power rake could damage the soil.
• Grass Seed Spreading
  Each grass type has a specific spreading rate that ensures optimum performance. When you get your seed bag depending on your preference, ensure to check the instructions that come along with it.
  It is recommended to use a broadcast spreader which makes it easier to spread seeds properly.
  To ensure fast germination, growth and coverage, make sure to spread a high number of seeds.
• Rake The Seeded Regions
  To ensure your seeds are not lost or displaced by wind, water or even animals, specific precautions need to be taken.
  This involves using a rake over the lawn to ensure that the seeds are settled in nicely in the soil and wouldn’t be lost.
• Fertilize The Overseeded Region
  The overseeded region needs to be fertilized to promote the growth of the new seedlings though it is extremely important not to under or over-fertilize.
  The N-P-K composition of fertiliser is highly recommended for this purpose.
• Water The Lawn
  This should be done in moderation to avoid overwatering the overseeded area and washing away the seeds.
  Also, puddles of water kill the seedlings so it is advised not to water more than twice a day.

How Long Should You Wait Before Mowing An Overseeded Lawn?

How long to wait before mowing an overseeded lawn is a popular and valid question that gets asked.

After overseeding is done, it is advisable to wait as long as you can before you start mowing. 

This is because mowing too early puts stress on the germinating grass, and since regular watering is being done, mowing before the root takes hold properly may end with uprooting the new grass.

Mowing very wet grass like in this case of regular watering can also cause lawn diseases such as the fungus that hamper the growth of your overseeded lawn.

Averagely, a 10-20 day wait period should be put between seeding and mowing an overseeded lawn.

However, the number of days varies according to the type of grass planted. For example, perennial ryegrass requires about 10-14 days to attach itself to the soil before mowing, while bluegrass may require a minimum of 20 days or more because it establishes itself slower.

Generally, finding out about the type of grass you’re planting helps you to make better overseeding, watering and mowing decisions.