Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

If your lawn is thinning or developing bare spots, sowing new seed is likely required. While you can always remove the existing grass before sowing new seed, it is also possible to plant your new grass seed over your current lawn.

How do I overseed my existing lawn?

Prepare the Area. Mow your lawn extra short and remove the clippings, so new seed contacts soil and gets sunlight and water. Set your mower at two inches or less for regular overseeding. For southern lawns and winter color, set the blade as low as it goes, and cut just above the soil—what's known as scalping.

How much seed do I use to overseed my lawn?

For colonial and creeping bentgrasses, the seeding rate is usually 1/2 to 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. Plan on requiring about 3 pounds of bluegrass seed, 10 pounds of ryegrass seed, 4 pounds of red fescue, 5 pounds of hard fescue or 8 to 10 pounds of tall fescue seed for every 1,000 square feet of turf.

How do you overseed and top dress a lawn?

Aerating and top-dressing a lawn can be great preparation for overseeding, but it's not necessary. You can also prepare a lawn for overseeding by mowing it at the lowest setting and bagging the clippings. After mowing, lightly rake the yard to expose and loosen the soil so the grass seed can make contact and take root.