Overseeding your grass or lawn is best done in the fall. Overseeding, coupled with core aeration in the fall, as temperatures cool down and mositure from fall rains is plentiful make for ideal germination conditions. Root system growth and expansion accelerates at this time of year. Unfortunately, sometimes you cannot wait for fall and spring seeding may be your only option. To prepare the lawn for spring seeding, be sure to mow the lawn shorter than normal. Any bare areas should be cultivated using a rake or other tool to create an open, loose seed bed so the new seed can germinate effectively. Often a lawn aeration machine is used to aerate the lawn, then seed is broadcast over the entire lawn.

Mowing along with proper watering is key to a successful lawn overseeding.  Ideally the lawn was mowed a bit shorter right before seeding.  After the seeding, it is recommended that you wait at least a week before mowing so the seed can settle to the soil level and has a chance to germinate. As new grass begins to fill in, be sure to mow tall, at a height of at least three inches or higher. Mow frequently, taking off no more than one-third of the grass blade per mowing.

Proper watering after seeding a lawn is key to seeding or overseeding success.  It is important to keep the new seed moist. Watering daily is very important and if possible, watering 2 or 3 times per day for short periods of time is recommended. This will keep the seeds and seedlings moist, which is key and will enhance quick germination over the first few weeks and result in a thicker stand of grass over time.