Easy Steps to Reseeding Your Lawn

The summer can destroy your lawn. Mine looks more bald than. . .well, I'm not going to mention his name. Summer sun and heat can be brutal on grass. Some of us are blessed with green healthy lawns. The rest of us must reseed.

If you are planning on reseeding, now is the time. August and September are prime months for rejuvenating your lawn. The seeds will have time to establish themselves and grow before the cold sets in.

1) Rake your lawn thoroughly, removing dead grasses and thatch buildup. Pull any weeds and use weed killer if needed. When using weed killer, pay special attention to the directions. The last thing you want to do is put a chemical on your lawn, then lay new seed over that chemical. Some natural weed killers promise reseeding after forty-eight hours. Check with a lawn care expert or your local garden shop before using weed killer.

2) Attack the thinned and bare spots with a cultivator or handy soil-turning tool. You'll want to loosen the soil to about one inch deep, possibly more if the soil is very compact. The idea is to give the soil a chance to breathe, and provide room for the seeds to germinate. In the high-traffic areas, you might go to a depth of six inches or so, depending on just how compacted the soil has become. You may wish to add compost to the turned soil. In extreme cases when the soil is severely damaged, you may have to till the soil.

3) Gently rake the soil smooth. Add fertilizer if desired.

4) Choose a seed that works with your climate and soil. Keep in mind that some grasses prefer sun, while others grow in shade. Sparsely spread the seed over the prepared soil. For large areas use a mechanical spreader. For bad spots, spread by hand to ensure the coverage you need.

5) Some recommend covering the seeded areas with a polyethylene sheet until the grass seed start to sprout. Once you see the seedlings, remove the cover and mist lightly. Others suggest covering the area with mulch or hay. Mist several times a day until the grass reaches about one inch in height, then water twice a day until the growth reaches around three inches. And...mow!

Remember to keep traffic in this area to a minimum as your grass establishes itself. In about three weeks you should have a nice green lawn. Maintain by mowing regularly, applying fertilizer, and watering when needed.

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