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NFT: Fall Grass Overseeding

Mark from Jersey : 9/18/2020 2:32 pm
It is supposed to be mid 60's the next few days, unseasonably cool for central NJ for mid September. I bought a bunch of seed to try to get more grass to grow in a section of my back yard that has been predominately crabgrass and clover since spring (about 2K SF). I overseeded in the spring too but maybe started too early and probably didn't put enough seed down in retrospect. It was a cool and wet early spring here too which didn't help.

Its supposed to get back up into the 70's by Tuesday. Should I wait until then to seed? There is also no rain in the forecast for days. I will dethatch the area and aerate a few of the bad sections while it is cool...I dont have anything automated to do the aeration...but thinking hold off on spreading the grass out until the temps climb a bit more.

Thanks in advance.
I just...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/18/2020 2:41 pm : link
just dethatched (found a fantastic and relatively cheap machine by Greenworks that did an amazing job), aerated (by hand - sucked), and overseeded. We had a bunch of ran overnight. Temperatures seem perfect to me now. Perhaps others will differ on timing.
Nice  
Mark from Jersey : 9/18/2020 2:43 pm : link
I have the same machine. For the price you couldnt beat it an I thought it did a nice job when I used it this fall. I was surprised how much thatch it brought up!
if you live in the north you can do it any time  
pjcas18 : 9/18/2020 2:45 pm : link
now, I try and play russian roullette and time it as late as possible, you basically need 10 days to two weeks of 50's to 60's weather once the weeds are mostly dead and the air is cooler but the soil is still warm so the seeds can germinate and begin growth (before they "die" for the winter),

RE: Nice  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/18/2020 2:45 pm : link
In comment 14976179 Mark from Jersey said:
Quote:
I have the same machine. For the price you couldnt beat it an I thought it did a nice job when I used it this fall. I was surprised how much thatch it brought up!


It's amazing. I couldn't believe how well it worked. People out for walks even stopped me and said, "Where did you get that?"
Perfect time  
Phil NJ : 9/18/2020 3:23 pm : link
Now is a perfect time to do it. You don’t need to wait until its in the 60s to seed. I planted grass seed two weeks ago and its coming up nicely.

And another thumbs up to the Greenworks detacher. I’ve had mine for 2 years now and it has worked great.
Weeds  
Phil NJ : 9/18/2020 3:25 pm : link
Also, if you have a ton of weeds you can spray down tenacity and it wont effect the grass germination.
lawn guy came and fertilized for fall  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 9/18/2020 3:45 pm : link
going to wait that out and next week aerate/overseed. Last two years it has been hot first week of October.
How do you keep your overseeded lawn from being a bird banquet  
BillT : 9/18/2020 4:13 pm : link
Every time I do it I just end up giving every bird in the area a great meal. Last time there were dozens in my yard.
RE: How do you keep your overseeded lawn from being a bird banquet  
Phil NJ : 9/18/2020 4:42 pm : link
In comment 14976262 BillT said:
Quote:
Every time I do it I just end up giving every bird in the area a great meal. Last time there were dozens in my yard.


You can try dressing it with some peet moss
I just overseeded my front lawn...  
BillKo : 9/18/2020 4:45 pm : link
...but the issue I have is grasses in the northeast simply grow faster in the spring and fall, being cool weather grasses.

What do you do about mowing after overseeding? Germination can take anywhere from 7 days to 30 days........do you just not mow?
Seed now, don’t wait any longer  
UConn4523 : 9/18/2020 4:49 pm : link
Worry about weeds next year
RE: How do you keep your overseeded lawn from being a bird banquet  
UConn4523 : 9/18/2020 4:52 pm : link
In comment 14976262 BillT said:
Quote:
Every time I do it I just end up giving every bird in the area a great meal. Last time there were dozens in my yard.


I only use new topsoil, till it and just leave it alone. I wouldn’t use anything else, personally.

I just dethatched by hand since all the machines were sold out. Next fall I will aerate. Basically going to alternate years since both aren’t necessary in the same season. Did it 12 days ago and over seeded with some fresh topsoil. Put down winter fertilizer and lime this morning. Everything is filling in great already in less than 2 weeks.
I rarely dethatch  
pjcas18 : 9/18/2020 5:51 pm : link
anymore since I've read good things about lawns and thatch and that they don't always need to be dethatched (maybe every 5 years I will dethatch - once the layer of thatch accumulates to over 1/2"), but I aerate every year and I overseed and apply lime right after aerating, so banking on the seed going in the holes from aerating, at least some of it. And hoping the lime deters the birds. I also apply lime in the spring.

but the birds do get some, I don't see a lot of birds out there, I don't have a tree on my property, but my neighbors do so the birds do venture over.

RE: I rarely dethatch  
EricJ : 9/18/2020 9:11 pm : link
In comment 14976311 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
anymore since I've read good things about lawns and thatch and that they don't always need to be dethatched (maybe every 5 years I will dethatch - once the layer of thatch accumulates to over 1/2"), but I aerate every year and I overseed and apply lime right after aerating, so banking on the seed going in the holes from aerating, at least some of it. And hoping the lime deters the birds. I also apply lime in the spring.

but the birds do get some, I don't see a lot of birds out there, I don't have a tree on my property, but my neighbors do so the birds do venture over.


I would rather aerate than thatch also. Especially since some of my yard has soil that can be like a rock. After aerating dump peat or cow manure and work it into the holes
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