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Mid- to end of August is the best time to seed bare areas of lawn, overseed thinning grass, or lay down sod.
When can I overseed my lawn in Illinois?
In Illinois, the best time to overseed a lawn is late summer/early fall (late August to mid-September). Soil temperatures at this time of year are still warm, which promotes optimum seed germination, and the cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth.
When can I plant grass seed in spring Chicago?
Mid August to early September is the ideal time for seeding lawns in northern Illinois. April would be a second choice. Seeding in late spring through mid-summer often leads to problems as the summer heat slows or stops grass development of our cool season grasses.
How do I overseed my lawn in Illinois?
One way to achieve good results is to use a slit-seeder that will plant seed through existing grass and debris right into the soil. Vertical mowers, or dethatchers, could also be used, but keep in mind they can be destructive to existing grass. After using these machines, rake away debris and overseed the area.
When should I overseed my lawn in the Midwest?
Overseeding: Most grasses in the Midwest grow best when it’s under 75 degrees F, making autumn the ideal time to overseed. Be sure to give your new grass about a month before your first average first frost so it can get established.
Should I seed in spring or fall?
Fall is the best time. The autumn season comes with a mix of warm soil and cool air, perfect for planting grass seed and allowing time for new grass roots to develop before winter sets in. It is also a good time to fertilize to build stronger, deeper roots for winter, resulting in a thicker, greener lawn next spring.
Can I overseed in spring and fall?
Overseeding is used for larger areas where the turf is thin, but not bare. The effectiveness of overseeding, whether done in the spring or fall, is enhanced when it is combined with lawn aeration. It is helpful to core aerate before and after seeding into an existing lawn.
Is May a good month to overseed?
These are generally cool-season grasses. Southwest U.S. (California and Arizona): Early spring is the best time for overseeding in these areas. Southern states (Georgia, Florida and Texas): April, May and June are good times to overseed in this huge area. The best time may vary each year depending on soil temperatures.
What is the best time of year to overseed my lawn?
Hands down, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. The absolute sweet spot for most northern regions of the U.S. is August 15 to September 15. That’s when daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage growth and nights get cooler, giving new seedlings a break from the heat.
Is aeration overseeding worth it?
The aeration gets rid of compacted soil and thatch, which means the roots can get everything they need to grow and overseeding ensures there is plenty of grass growing to cover the lawn and ensure it looks thick and green.
Can you mow your lawn in December?
Absolutely, yes! You can cut your lawn in winter.
How late can you overseed in the fall?
Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results. The problem with late season seeding is that Mother Nature is working against us. Shorter days and cooler temperatures prolong the germination of the seed and its establishment.
Should you dethatch before overseeding?
To get high germination rates when overseeding, not only is it important to water the seeds, but also make sure the seeds and soil have good contact. Two of the recommended processes to achieve this are dethatching and aerating.
Is it too late to overseed in November?
While planting grass seed in November is too late to make the fall growing season, there is a method called dormant seeding. Through dormant seeding, grass seed can be planted in November when the weather is cold enough to keep it dormant until the weather warms up in the spring.
Can you fertilize and overseed at the same time?
Is it OK to Fertilize After Overseeding? It is perfectly safe to fertilize after overseeding your lawn. In fact, applying a specialized lawn starter fertilizer will increase the number of grass seedlings that survive to adulthood. For best results, apply a starter fertilizer within 3 days over overseeding.
When should you overseed a spring?
If your lawn is not performing up to your expectations, you can re-establish a healthier, better-looking lawn by overseeding it. The best time to overseed an existing lawn is from late summer to early fall, but it can still be a success when done in spring.
When Should I aerate my lawn in Illinois?
The best times to aerate are spring and fall, when cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass that are common in Chicago-area lawns are actively growing. I prefer to schedule aeration in April or May, but it also can be done in September or October. For most residential lawns, it is adequate to aerate once a year.
How do I overseed my existing lawn?
Mow Low. Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating.
