Homeowners across Atlanta are stressed out right now about finding the right list of fall overseeding steps. They want to do it themselves, and they want to do it correctly, because they know following the right steps is the best way to achieve a beautiful lawn this winter. But it can be hard to know who’s giving you the best advice. It’s not always obvious what information will work best for your lawn.
Smart Overseeding for Fall
To get the most out of your lawn this winter, Kemko suggests you follow these six fall overseeding steps:
- With a sharp mower blade, cut the grass to no more than two inches high. If you have a mower with a bag, definitely use the bag to catch the grass clippings.
- If you don’t have a mower with a bag, the second step is to rake up the grass clippings. If you do have a bagged mower, skip to step 3.
- Use a core aerator to punch holes into the soil. Aeration allows the grass roots to absorb more water and nutrients, in addition to reducing soil compaction. Less compacted soil makes a more hospitable environment for new grass seedlings to take root.
- Employ a rotary spreader to lay an even amount of grass seed over the entire lawn. Follow straight lines back and forth so you don’t miss any areas of the lawn. Evenness is the main reason why spreading the seed by hand is not a good idea. Hand spreading means clumpy grass, guaranteed.
- If your grass seed does not come pre-treated with fertilizer, then use your spreader to apply a good quality general grass fertilizer. These extra nutrients will give the grass seeds the jumpstart they need to grow quickly into strong plants.
- Thoroughly and evenly water the entire lawn. Keep in mind that for the first few weeks, the lawn will have to be watered up to four times a day to keep the soil moist. Therefore, if you don’t already have an irrigation system installed, you may want to make that your first step!
Remember to keep the soil consistently moist for several weeks. This is most important during the first few weeks, when the new grass plants are just taking root. Letting the soil dry completely for even one day can wipe out your cool season grass seeds, and you will have to start back at step one again.
Hiring a Professional Landscaper Gets the Job Done Right
Alternatively, you can hire a professional landscaping company to get your winter grass going for you. Kemko Lawn and Shrub has more than 30 years of experience creating gorgeous lawns for Atlanta-area homeowners. Why do all of this yourself when you can remove the guesswork and hire a pro? Click this link or call us at 770-466-6113 to schedule the fall overseeding steps that will keep your lawn looking fantastic all season.