Yes - You Should Overseed Every Spring!

Overseeding is one of the many lawn care maintenance services Nutri-Lawn Ottawa offers, but why do you need it? Why is it important to overseed your lawn every spring and what are the benefits?

What is Overseeding?

Overseeding is when you add new grass seed to an existing lawn. You might need to introduce a new grass species to address an existing imbalance or environmental condition (like a lot of shade). You might overseed with a grass species that is more resistant to drought, insects, or disease. Grass is like any other plant, it will get old and grow thin, so introducing young plants into the lawn every year ensures your lawn looks vibrant every year and it also protects your lawn from invasive weeds.

Why Overseed? What’s the Benefit?

Overseeding can introduce a new species to address an existing problem or it can keep the lawn young and thriving, as mentioned above. Overseeding is important for areas that get high traffic (play areas) or if you have pets, it can address damaged areas in the lawn and bare spots.

If your lawn has a minor problem, overseeding can often correct it by introducing new grass growth and taking over areas with unhealthy plants. Bottom line, overseeding helps your lawn thicken up and create a near impenetrable barrier to weeds. Weeds need bare patches of soil to grow like gaps in the sod, and if you have a thick robust lawn, weeds don’t stand a chance.

That’s why Nutri-Lawn Ottawa recommends overseeding every spring. Spring is the best time of year to plant new grass because of the warmer temperatures and higher rainfall.

Set Your Seeds Up For Success

Grass seed needs specific conditions to thrive, and planting in the spring often provides many of these necessities naturally, such as warm soil temperatures and lots of moisture. Remember, you don’t want to let your grass seed dry out once it’s been scattered and watered. Dry seed is dead seed. The seeds needs to be kept moist every day until the sprouts are established.

Grass does need time to mature and thicken up, so don’t panic when you see those spindly sprouts pop up at first. New seedlings are tender and easily damaged, so make sure to keep all traffic off the area until the new seed is established and try to give the new grass 4 – 6 weeks after it sprouts up before mowing your lawn.

When mowing new grass, make sure not to cut it too low. Remember, the grass blades provide food for the roots and young plants need extra nourishment. You might sabotage all your efforts if you cut the grass too short in this crucial growth stage. Letting your new grass grow a bit longer may be frustrating, but waiting will pay off throughout the summer when your new grass is strong enough to resist disease and insects and survive the coming dormant seasons.

Nutri-Lawn Ottawa offers a full range of lawn care services including core aeration, overseeding, slitseeding, and organic topdressing. Be sure to contact our lawn care professionals for a free quote so you can enjoy a healthy and vibrant lawn all summer long!