Overseeding the thin areas (renovation)
Sow fresh seed into the holes and thin spots, best in early autumn or spring, avoiding peak heat.
- When
- In order, while the lawn is being made
- Material
- same grass seed mix (overseed)
- Rate
- 10–15 g/m² · about 2–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft
- For
- Any lawn
- Needs
- spreader
- Rule
- reno-overseed · Hessayon; RHS
Sow fresh seed into the holes and thin spots — best in early autumn or spring, avoid peak heat.
Timing
Sow within a day or two of aerating, while the surface is open. Early autumn is ideal for cool-season grass; spring works too. Avoid high summer: seedlings in a renovated, open lawn dry out fast.
Seed and rate
- Use the same kind of mix as the lawn, or a better one for the conditions: hard-wearing ryegrass mixes for family lawns, fine fescue for shade and low-input lawns.
- Sow 10–15 g/m², about 2–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft, over the whole lawn; up to 25–35 g/m² on bare patches.
- Spread in two passes at right angles with a spreader.
Settle it in
Drag a brush or the back of a rake over the lawn so seed falls into the aeration holes and scarified grooves. Then topdress lightly and start watering.
Aftercare
Keep the surface moist for three to four weeks, give a starter feed high in phosphorus rather than a nitrogen feed, and do not use any pre-emergent weedkiller on the area that season. First mow when the new grass reaches about 8 cm.
Do this first
Comes next
Sources
- D.G. Hessayon — The Lawn Experthessayon
- Royal Horticultural Society — lawn guidancerhs