Gardening - Q&A: Overseeding Existing Lawn

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Q&A: Overseeding Existing Lawn

Question: I put in a new lawn and in most areas the grass grew in thick and lush. But in several locations the grass is thin, and looking straight down, the soil is visible. What is the best way to overseed the thin areas without harming the grass in the area?

Answer: You can use a rake to rough the soil surface up a bit so the seeds can make good contact with the soil. If the spots are small, use a hand trowel. Then broadcast seeds over the soil, cover with a bit of compost or peat moss to help the seeds stay moist, and water well. Apply water once or twice a day to keep the seeds moist and they should sprout within a week. Raking might dislodge some existing grass plants, but the new seeds will take over the area and the existing grass should settle back down into the soil as soon as you water the area.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association