The best way to Seed Thin Spots in a Yard
Thin spots in an otherwise lush, green lawn can result from heavy thatch accumulation, grass invasion or heavy traffic. Renovating the thin areas results in thicker, healthier grass which can better withstand heavy use and smother weed development. Overseeding is performed either in spring or fall, depending on whether you have cool- or warm-season grass. Cool-season grass is usually grown in light coastal areas and needs fall seeding, while warm-season grasses grow mainly in hot or warm climates.
Apply a broadleaf weed herbicide into the yard fourteen days before seeding. Follow all of package application and safety instructions, as these vary among herbicides.
Fix your lawnmower blade to its lowest setting so that it cuts the grass to your 3/4 to 1 inch tall. Mow the lawn at this height in the region requiring seeding.
Run a dethatcher above the yard to pull all dead plant material and debris gathered top the soil around the base of their rest of the grass. You can rent powered dethatchers to get the job done faster.
Rake up the thatch and lawn debris with a large yard rake. Dispose of or compost the thatch.
Aerate the soil with an aerator, which can be a machine which pulls up plugs of dirt so oxygen and moisture can better penetrate the dirt. The entire lawn benefits from yearly aeration, but you can aerate only the area you are reseeding, if you prefer.
Water the lawn region until the first two inches of soil are moist. Spread a 10-10-10 lawn fertilizer over the yard, applying 2 1/2 lbs of fertilizer for each 250 square foot.
Fix the seed broadcaster into the recommended speed for the grass kind, as detailed on the seed bag. Seed rate vary widely. By way of example, tall fescue requires a seeding rate of 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet, while Kentucky bluegrass only requires 2 lbs per 1,000 square foot.
Push the seed broadcaster above the thin area you are overseeding. Overlap each pass of the broadcaster by 6 inches so the place is evenly seeded.
Water the yard twice daily for two to three weeks, or until the grass has germinated. Reduce watering to two to three times weekly before the grass reaches a 4 inches tall, then resume standard lawn maintenance. Begin mowing once the grass is 4 inches tall.