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Seeding and reseeding grass

The Importance of Seeding and Overseeding Your Lawn

Having a healthy, green lawn doesn't happen by chance. In addition to regular watering and mowing, it is crucial to seed and overseed your lawn to ensure its beauty and longevity.

A good preparation and quality seeds are needed to seed a new grass.It is perfectly normal that certain zones in your lawn will thin out over time, and need to be reseeding.

Why seed and overseed?

 

  • Improve lawn density and resistance: Dense seeding helps to choke out weeds and prevent their proliferation. In addition, a thick lawn is more resistant to foot traffic, diseases, and weather.
  • Repair damaged areas: Time, insects, animals, and various activities can damage your lawn. Overseeding allows you to fill in thin or dead spots and achieve a uniform grass carpet.
  • Introduce new grass varieties: New seeds often offer better resistance to diseases, drought, or shade. They can also be chosen according to the sun exposure and soil type of your land.
  • Beautify your lawn: A dense and uniform lawn is simply more aesthetically pleasing. By choosing a seed mix that is adapted to your needs, you will obtain a lawn that you will be proud of.

 

Have your soil tested and proceed accordingly

Soil analysis will reveal the type of soil you are working with, the mineral content and the pH level. It's important that pH levels are within the normal range, so that your lawn is able to absorb the mineral elements it requires for optimum growth. What are you aiming for? Ideally, a pH level between 6 and 7.

  • If the pH level is below 6, you need to add ground limestone.
  • If the pH level is above 7, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate or sulfur should be added to the soil.

For a more detailed analysis of your soil, take a sample to your local BOTANIX merchant.

When to seed

The best times to seed is in spring when cool temperatures facilitate germination.

Mid-August and the end of summer are also a good period since the nights are cooler, the soil is warm and the morning dew favors the germination of grass seeds.

Choose a period when the outdoor temperature alternates between 20º and 25º during the day and 14º and 18º at night to facilitate germination.

Choose your seeds

For best results, the use of BOTANIX premium quality lawn seeds and fertilizers are recommended.

  • Select a seed mix that is tailored to your lawn's sun exposure
  • Choose a mix with endophytes that will repel certain insect pests
  • Use seeds with mycorrhizae for a lawn that is more resistant to heat, insects, and dry conditions

Seeding a new lawn

Seeding is an inexpensive solution that allows you to choose the seed mix that best meets your needs and available light.

  1. Turn the soil over and correct nutrient deficiencies.
  2. Remove weeds if needed.
  3. Spread 15 cm (6 in) of good quality soil.
  4. Level the ground by raking the surface until its uniform.
  5. Smooth lightly with a roller.
  6. Spread Sod and Seed fertilizer to help the lawn take root.
  7. Seed by hand or with a spreader, crossing the ground in two perpendicular directions.
  8. Rake the surface over with a leaf rake to cover the grass seeds lightly with soil.
  9. Water regularly 1 or 2 times a day for 20 to 30 minutes. The soil must remain moist throughout seed germination (2 weeks). Use low water pressure to avoid pushing the seeds around.
  10. Mow the lawn when it reaches about 10 cm (4 in) in height. Mowing height: 7.5 cm (3 in).

Reseeding

By reseeding, you will increase the grass density of your lawn and reduce the proliferation of weeds.

    1. Aerate the soil
    2. Mow the grass to 5 cm (2 po)
    3. Extract weeds
    4. Spread 3 mm (1/8 po) layer of BOTANIX Sea Compost over the entire lawn surface
    5. Seed according to the instructions on the seed package
    6. Water daily to ensure enough moisture for the seeds to germinate and establish a solid base. Water lightly every day for 15 days, then scale back.

    Repair bare patches

      1. Mow the grass to 5 cm
      2. Pull out or locally treat weeds with a herbicide that systemically penetrates inside and causes it to dry out
      3. Spread 1,25 cm (1/2 po) layer of topsoil over the entire lawn surface
      4. Spread Sod and Seed fertilizer to help the lawn take root.
      5. Seed according to the instructions on the seed package
      6. Water daily to ensure enough moisture for the seeds to germinate and establish a solid base. Water lightly every day for 15 days, then scale back.