Lawn Overseeding
We advise that lawns are inspected once every 4 or 5 years, to see if lawn overseeding is required.
If it is we carry out lawn overseeding in various ways, depending on the type and size of the lawn.
This is normally by direct drilling the lawn seed into the sward after the Lawn Scarification and Lawn Aeration process.
Why should I overseed my lawn?
Over a period of time, lawns tend to get tired and look thin and unhealthy.
They are not able to re-produce seed heads and naturally re-generate, because we are constantly mowing the lawn. Lawn Overseeding will:
- Improve sward density and decrease excessive thatch
- Allow grass type consistency to be improved that are suitable for the area
- Help prevent moss and weeds from establishing as easily
- Be more cost effective than laying new lawn turf
- Improve poor soil condition
- Improve drainage and water loss
- Improve soil compaction
- Increase fertility
- Improve poor air circulation
What are the different types of lawn seed?
There are many different types of lawn seed that can make a good quality lawn, such as fescue, dwarf ryegrass, bents and smooth stalked meadow grass.
The correct seed for your lawn will depend on factors such as soil type, drainage, pH, wear and tear and how it is mowed and maintained.
There are a few factors essential for the successful germination of lawn seed:
Timing
Soil temperatures must be warm and constantly moist for successful germination.
Late August through to the end of October is the optimum time, because once germinated the lawn seed can slowly establish through the winter months.
Many people make the mistake of thinking spring is the best time for over seeding.
However, soil temperatures are often not warm enough until well into May, when it then becomes too dry and hot for young seed to survive.
Soil Contact
Over seeding will not be successful unless full soil contact is achieved.
Simply throwing lawn seed on top of an existing lawn, bare patch or bare thatch will not work.
Sometimes sand and loam top dressing is also carried out to assist germination.
Water
The grass seed now needs to be left to germinate for up to three weeks.
During this time you’ll have to regularly water the lawn.
It is crucial that the soil is not allowed to dry out to ensure the germination process does not fail.
As long as the grass seed has been kept damp, new growth will start to sprout as the bare earth transforms into the lawn you’ve always wanted.

