Fall is a great time to seed and revitalize lawns. Do a little work now and enjoy a gorgeous carpet of grass come spring. Here are our four simple tips for lawn seeding like a total boss.

Lawn Seeding Tip #1: Buy the Right Seed.

With grass seed, like so many other things in life, you get what you pay for. Check the label on the bag. Unless you are seeking a very specific, uniform look for your landscape, go with a blend. The diversity will help prevent disease. Also, avoid seeds sold as “variety not stated.” No matter how much of a bargain it may seem in the store, you will not be happy with the results. Third, look for an NTEP-rated seed. This means it has been independently evaluated and rated by the National Turf Evaluation Program, (NTEP). An NTEP-rated grass seeds has been bred for superior green grass color, disease and insect resistance and drought tolerance. One final but important consideration: find a species right for your conditions. For example, some grasses love sunshine, some prefer shade (some thrive in both. Some grasses require more nitrogen fertilizer, others very little.

How much seed should you buy? Plan to use 2 to 4 lbs per 1000 sq. ft if your lawns is thick already, or up to 8 lbs per 1000 sq. ft if your lawn has problem areas and bare patches.

Lawn Seeding Tip #2: Prepare the Soil.

Preparation is the most critical part of seeding a lawn. Tiny grass seeds will only germinate in just the right soil conditions: well-turned, aerated earth with the right chemistry and good drainage.

• Mow grass as short as possible. (This is the one time that it’s smart to cut it low!)
• Loosen the top ¼-inch of soil in bare spots.
• Dethatch the grass and remove stones, sticks, and other debris.
• For any spots that hold excess water, level them with existing topsoil.
• Spread an inch of compost (yard waste compost works fine) over the entire lawn or just over the prepared areas. After sowing the new seed, rake lightly so that the compost covers the seeds. This provides shade and reduces evaporation.

Note: these tips are for overseeding an existing lawn. If you want guidance on planting a brand new lawn, check out our guide to lawn seeding or call our experts at 614-808-4446.

Lawn Seeding Tip #3: Water Generously.

Right after you’ve sown the seeds, water the area gently with an oscillating- or fan-style sprinkler. Move the sprinkler around or set up a few of them to make sure you’ve dampened the whole area.

Then, for at least a week, water the area lightly, no more than 10 minutes, twice a day. You want to avoid washing away those little seeds. Once the grass is two inches tall, stick to a once-daily watering every morning, for 15 to 30 minutes.

Lawn Seeding Tip #4: Know Who to Call When You Need a Hand.

Whether you’ve got a small problem spot in your backyard or need a whole turf makeover, we can help. We know the best practices in overseeding to revitalize your lawn. We use high-quality seeds and fertilizer so that you get beautiful results, guaranteed. Contact the team at Cardinal Lawns today at 614-808-4446.