Is it Too Late to Overseed My Lawn?

The answer is almost always “No.” If you haven’t overseeded your lawn this fall, today is better than tomorrow, and tomorrow is better than next week. The opportunity for seeds to germinate and get established is fleeting. Days are getting shorter, nighttime temperatures are dropping, and soils are getting cooler. On the other hand, crabgrass, foxtail, and annual grassy weeds are fading yellow, leaving room for cool-season turf grasses to germinate.

Best Seed for October Seeding

Tips for Oct-Overseeding

Why is it Important to Overseed Every Year?

Fall overseeding helps thicken existing turf, eliminating bare spots. Next spring, there will be no weeds if there are no bare spots. Fall overseeding will introduce youthful vigor and genetic diversity into existing turf. Using improved Grass Pad seed varieties will produce better-quality turf.

Why Overseed in the Fall?

Mother Nature figured it out after two million years of overseeding her prairies; we only need to follow her calendar. In their natural growth cycle, grass plants form seed heads and re-seed themselves, and routine mowing eliminates those seed heads on our home turf lawn. It’s idiot-proof: mimic Mother Nature by overseeding your lawn every fall season.

Best Grass Seed for “Oct-Overseeding”

Overseeding in October, or as Uncle calls it, “Oct-Overseeding,” when days are warm, nights are cool, and soil temperatures are above 55°, there is still an opportunity for cool-season grass to sprout. Grass seed blends incorporating perennial ryegrass will have the best chance for germination and quick establishment in the cool soils of the late fall and early spring seasons.

Macho Mix for Oct-Overseeding

Macho Mix turf-type tall fescue is a blend of top-performing turf-type tall fescues plus 5% sports turf-quality perennial ryegrass. Next-generation turf-type tall fescues in Macho Mix are narrower in leaf texture, darker in color, have a denser growth habit, and have superior disease resistance. Perennial ryegrass blended in Macho Mix gives the fastest germination in cold soils. Macho Mix is an excellent grass seed for late fall overseeding and spring spot repairs.

 Macho Mix is a proven performer for kid’s play areas and dog runs and is an outstanding performer for sun or shade areas. The turf-type tall fescues in Macho Mix retain great color during the winter months and provide a year-round green lawn.

The distinctive combination of selected bluegrasses plus sports turf perennial ryegrass in Estate Mix will give your lawn that soft well-manicured look.  Estate Mix is good for shade areas and an outstanding performer in full sun.

Tips for Late Fall Overseeding

Using top dressings such as sphagnum peat moss or Primera Sports Field Conditioner on repaired or overseeded bare soil areas will give baby roots added protection before the hard freezes of late December.

Fertilize with the Renovator or Golf Course Starter the same day as overseeding. This application of turf food drives the root system deep into the soil for fast establishment. At Thanksgiving, fertilize with Snowman winter root builder, and your lawn will wake up next spring thick and green with an established root system.