Every year approximately up to a quarter of the average lawn may die. By sowing new lawn seed into an existing lawn, a technique used by professional groundskeepers and known as overseeding, it is possible to rejuvenate your lawn.
OVERSEEDING WILL...
Dramatically improve the appearance of your lawn. New grass will retain its green colour longer in periods of drought.
Reduce weed invasion thus help to minimise the use of chemicals. This is both cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Step by step guide to overseeding:
1
The first stage is to closely mow the lawn.
Choose a time when the lawn is dry.
Remove any rubbish from the surface of
the lawn before mowing.
2
In Spring or Autumn rake the lawn using a
spring tine rake to remove and break up
layers of dead matted grass or thatch.
This process is known as scarifying and can
be made easier using a powered scarifying
machine if the thatch is thick, however,
although it may be hard work using a
conventional rake, it will probably do the
job just as well and keep you fit in the
meantime!!
If scarifying is done in Autumn it will have
the additional benefit of stimulating the side
shoots and runners, which are developing
at this time of year.
3
Spike ground with a fork to a depth of at
least 15cm (6in) to eliminate compaction.
4
Top dress the lawn in Spring with a
mixture
of sand, compost or loam,
proportions will be dependent on soil type.
This will result in denser grass growth and
the removal of minor hollows.
This will help to improve drainage by getting water and air to the roots as well as nutrients, so helping the health of your lawn.
5
Feed lawn with Johnson's
Bio-Active Lawn Feed
on the day of sowing or up to a few days afterwards. Apply at 20g per sq. metre
Water lawn surface if dry weather follows.
Use gloves when applying fertiliser and
avoid eye contact. Wash hands after use. If
swallowed contact a doctor immediately.
6
Select a suitable mixture of Lawn Seed.
Sow approximately 25g per sq. metre
(¾ oz per sq. yard).
Ideally, sow the seed after the ground has
been moistened by a good fall of rain.
This will give your seed adequate moisture
to start with.
7
Mix the seed in a bucket with general
purpose compost and sand for even seed
distribution.
Scatter the mixture liberally over the existing
lawn area to ensure a good blend with
existing grass.
8
Rake area so that seed comes in to contact
with soil. This will improve
germination. Lightly roll if possible.
Keep off the newly overseeded area if
possible to allow tender young shoots to
gain strength and give an even covering.
9
If dry weather follows overseeding, water
copiously with a fine spray keeping the
seedbed constantly moist.
10
When grass is 5-8cms (2-3in) high cut for
the first time. Trim lightly and very
gradually lower blades to an ideal cutting
height of 25mm (1in) for mixtures
containing ryegrass and 13mm (½in)
for non ryegrass mixtures.
Mow regularly but try not to remove more
than a third of the growth at any one time.
