Though we tend to appreciate a healthy, lush lawn most in the summertime, taking care of grass is a year-round task. To get your grass ready for a full and healthy growing season in the spring, you'll want to start thinking about how you can prep your lawn for peak performance. Reseeding grass is an excellent lawn care technique to counteract any bare, dead spots that may have revealed themselves after a sweltering summer or high foot traffic. Reseeding is also an excellent lawn care hack to get your grass extra thick, regardless of your grass type.
Before you begin planting grass, you'll want to make sure your lawn is well-prepped. Don't worry! We will walk you through all of the steps for reseeding your grass correctly in the spring and share additional lawn care tips and tricks.
The Benefits of Reseeding Grass
It's easy for lawns to become overrun with weeds and start to look a little sparse. If your lawn is looking worse for the wear, don't fret –you don't have to start over with brand new seed or sod to restore your lawn to its former glory. Reseeding grass is an excellent lawn care technique to get ahead of the spring growing season and start planting new seeds into your existing lawn.
You might ask yourself, when is the best time to reseed? Planting new grass seeds in the fall or winter will allow the seeds to germinate and begin sprouting in the spring. This is referred to as dormant seeding. Your lawn might have taken a beating from heat and lack of hydration over the summer. With these tips for prepping your lawn and planting new grass, you will see new growth in a few short months.
Prep Work for Planting Grass
Before you start reseeding grass, you'll want to prepare the soil for the new grass seed. You can help the seed germination process by taking extra precautions.
Whether you are reseeding grass or planting a brand new lawn, there are just three easy steps to get your lawn prepared:
- Mow lawn shorter than normal
- Remove weeds and dead grass
- Loosen up any dry or compacted soil
Keeping your lawn cut short will help you see any bare spots that may need some extra TLC. A short lawn can also help identify any soil issues, like soil compaction, that you can resolve before planting grass.
Before reseeding grass, it's essential to remove any dead grass, weeds, or other debris from your lawn. Planting grass seed should be done on a clean and cleared lawn to prohibit any obstructions from preventing the seed germination process. Check out this guide to grass seed germination to learn more about preparing your lawn for planting grass.
Planting Grass in Nutrient-Rich Soil
Once your ground is cleared and the soil is loose, you'll want to conduct a soil test to check for any nutrient imbalances. If your lawn is lacking in nutrients, it's time for fertilizer. Our favorite way to fertilize is to go liquid with lawn care. To combat against nutrient-imbalances in your lawn, try out these fertilizer blends that can help restore the state of your soil:
- Lawn Booster: Extreme Growth Booster
- Lawn Food:16-4-8 Advanced NPK
- Lawn Food:3-18-18 High Phosphorus and Potassium NPK
These fertilizers are well-suited for a fall application to see results in spring. Ensuring your soil has the proper balance of macronutrients and micronutrients will provide an excellent growing environment for the newly planted seeds.
How to Reseed Grass
After you clear your lawn in preparation for reseeding grass, you can start to pick out the type of grass seed you'll be planting. Though reseeding grass can help to provide a thicker lawn texture, the main reason homeowners are planting grass seeds in their lawns is to combat any dead, bare spots. To start reseeding, look for these bare spots and spread seeds in the area.
Once the seed has spread, you'll want to cover the seed with soil, compost, or mulch. After you've placed the covering on top of the seed, immediately water the area. If you are planting grass that is all-new, you'll want to pick a grass type that is suitable for your region. Learn more about the differences between cool-season and warm-season grasses to ensure your season and region can support your newly planted grass.
Caring for Newly Planted Grass
After planting grass seeds, adequate hydration is a requirement to activate seed germination. Once you have finished planting grass, maintain a consistent, rigid watering routine for the following two to three weeks. Make sure the soil stays moist without being oversaturated. When new lawn blades begin to sprout, you can resume normal levels of lawn watering.
Mastering the first mow is also part of the reseeding grass after-care plan. If reseeding in the fall for spring growth, your first mow may not be until mid-spring. When the time is right, adjust your lawnmower's height so that no more than one-third of the lawn blades are removed during trimming. With the right cut, proper nutrition, and adequate hydration, your new grass seeds will grow strong roots and tall blades, filling out your lawn impeccably.
More Spring Lawn Care Tips
Reseeding grass is just one step to getting your lawn ready for the spring. Maintaining weekly mowing, watering, and weed maintenance may seem mundane, but these lawn care tasks will have a positive long-term effect on your yard. To help balance your lawn care, we recommend creating a schedule to follow and automating when you can, like using a programmable sprinkler system. Keeping up with fertilization or aeration as needed are more small steps that can make a significant impact. Follow these suggestions to achieve a spring-ready lawn.
