Overseeding Your Lawn

Lawn overseeding by Bespoke Lawn Care: reviving and rejuvenating your turf

Bespoke Lawn Care in Rowtown understands that even a well-maintained lawn can thin out and show signs of wear over time. Overseeding is a vital service they offer to revitalise and rejuvenate your turf, creating a denser, healthier, and more resilient lawn.

1. Why overseed? The benefits of injecting new life

• Replaces ageing grass plants: Just like any living thing, grass plants naturally age and decline over time, becoming less vigorous and more susceptible to diseases and stress. Overseeding introduces new, young grass plants, replenishing the existing turf and ensuring long-term health. Without overseeding, your lawn will gradually become weak and unhealthy.

• Boosts grass density: Overseeding helps to fill in thin or bare patches, creating a thicker, denser sward that is more visually appealing. This also creates a velvety texture, according to Premier Lawns.

• Improves resistance to weeds and moss: A dense lawn naturally crowds out weeds and moss, making it harder for them to establish and thrive. 

• Enhances lawn colour and appearance: New grass plants often have a brighter, more vibrant colour, improving the overall aesthetic of your lawn.

• Increases resilience to environmental stressors: A thicker, healthier lawn with a more diverse range of grass species is better equipped to withstand drought, heat, disease, and heavy foot traffic.

• Environmentally friendly and cost-effective: By promoting a healthy lawn that naturally resists problems, overseeding can reduce the need for chemicals and costly renovations in the future.

2. Bespoke Lawn Care's tailored overseeding process

• Preparing the ground: Overseeding is best performed on a prepared lawn. This typically involves:

  • Mowing: Cutting the grass short (around 25mm or 1 inch) to ensure the new seeds have good contact with the soil and are not shaded by existing grass blades.

  • Dethatching/Scarifying: Removing the layer of dead organic matter to improve soil contact and prevent seeds from being trapped in the thatch layer.

  • Aerating: Relieving soil compaction to improve air circulation and water penetration, making it easier for seeds to germinate and for roots to grow deeper.

• Choosing the right seed: Bespoke Lawn Care will select a high-quality grass seed blend that is suitable for your lawn's specific needs, considering factors like:

  • Sunlight exposure (shade or sun).

  • Level of traffic and use (ornamental, play, sports).

  • Resistance to drought, disease, and wear.

  • A good example is Gro-Sure Fast Start Smart Lawn Seed, which is a blend of Aqua Gel-coated and fast-growing grass seed varieties for a quicker lawn establishment.

• Applying the seed: The seed is sown evenly across the lawn using a hand or drop spreader, following the recommended application rate, typically around 35 grams per square meter.

• Enhancing germination:

  • Soil Contact: Raking or rolling the lawn lightly after seeding helps ensure the seed makes good contact with the soil, which is crucial for germination.

  • Fertilising: A balanced pre-seeding fertiliser can be applied before or after seeding to provide essential nutrients for the new seedlings.

  • Topdressing (Optional): Applying a thin layer of topdressing can further improve soil-to-seed contact and provide additional nutrients for the new grass. Topdressing, along with overseeding, provides nutrients for new grass.

• Post-overseeding care:

  • Watering: Consistent moisture is vital for germination. The lawn will be watered immediately after overseeding and regularly for the first few weeks, especially in dry conditions.

  • Traffic Reduction: Minimising traffic on the newly overseeded lawn for a period of 7 to 21 days helps protect the delicate seedlings.

  • Mowing: The first mow should be done when the new grass reaches 5-8cm (2-3in) in height, trimming lightly and gradually lowering the blades to the ideal height.

3. When to overseed

• Spring and Autumn: The ideal times to overseed in the UK are spring (March to early May) and early autumn (late August to September).

• Optimal Conditions: These periods offer warm soil temperatures (at least 7-8 degrees Celsius), sufficient moisture from rainfall, and mild weather that supports germination and establishment.

• Avoiding Extremes: Overseeding should be avoided during the hottest and coldest months, as extreme temperatures can hinder germination and stress the new seedlings.

By trusting Bespoke Lawn Care with your overseeding needs, you're choosing a professional approach that ensures the long-term health, beauty, and resilience of your Surrey lawn.