Best time to put grass seed / best method?

[mtl514]

Is this the best time to put grass seed or should I wait some more? What method do you use? Can I just mix the seed with topsoil and spread the mix over the existing grass and on bare spots? Or just bare spots? Thanks.

[curls00]

Generally it's best to overseed and/or topdress a lawn with soil in the fall, when nights are cool but consistent (unlike this spring, where one day it's 30* and the next it's 15*, overnight frost occurrances, etc). For this spring/summer, you can treat the bare spots with some soil and seed, and then in the fall do a full topdressing (1/4" of soil + compost or sterile manure) and then overseed on top of that, water for a week straight (10-15 minutes/day if no rain that day), and you'll really see a difference next summer!

[Owbist]

Go with Curly, that is a good reply :)

[astroboi]

My understanding is that grass seeds typically germinate well with a consistent soil temperature of at least 15 degrees. My lawn is very thin and I had other projects last fall, so I intend to overseed this spring. I have mowed and dethatched the lawn, exposing bare soil. I have also tried to remove most of the existing weeds. I want to lay seed soon, to beat out the first round of dandelions seeds.

I am probably going to try my luck starting this weekend, even though the temperatures are a little low. I have purchased some triple mix along with Ecoturf grass seed. I am going to top dress, seed, apply starter fertilizer, then press the seeds into the soil by walking on it with cardboard (don't have a roller), followed by a watering and consistent watering either in the morning or in the evening to keep the soil moist. Wish me luck.

[sienna owner]

My understanding is that grass seeds typically germinate well with a consistent soil temperature of at least 15 degrees. My lawn is very thin and I had other projects last fall, so I intend to overseed this spring. I have mowed and dethatched the lawn, exposing bare soil. I have also tried to remove most of the existing weeds. I want to lay seed soon, to beat out the first round of dandelions seeds.

I am probably going to try my luck starting this weekend, even though the temperatures are a little low. I have purchased some triple mix along with Ecoturf grass seed. I am going to top dress, seed, apply starter fertilizer, then press the seeds into the soil by walking on it with cardboard (don't have a roller), followed by a watering and consistent watering either in the morning or in the evening to keep the soil moist. Wish me luck.

you'd could seed, then top dress & fertilizer...so you wouldn't have to "roll"/cardboard the lawn afterwards...they just need to have contact with the soil..and since you are top dressing...it will/should be okay.

[astroboi]

you'd could seed, then top dress & fertilizer...so you wouldn't have to "roll"/cardboard the lawn afterwards...they just need to have contact with the soil..and since you are top dressing...it will/should be okay.

I read somewhere that the seeds should be near the surface making contact with the soil and not buried. Not sure if this is true...

[speedyforme]

I read somewhere that the seeds should be near the surface making contact with the soil and not buried. Not sure if this is true...

my aunt told me to lay soil, lay seed and then lay soil so the birds don't get to the seeds...

*shrugs*

[petiteme]

I agree with speedy. Those birds will eat all of your seeds and then you won't have grass. That happened to me.