Just like people, lawns can get tired and worn out. Heavy shade, high traffic areas, compacted soil and recurring pest infestations such as grubs can thin even the lushest turf.

One way to bring your lawn back to life is by over seeding. Because grass seeds need warmth and moisture to germinate, the best time to do this is mid to late spring or late August. Avoid the high temperatures and relative dryness of full summer. To do this you can hire a lawn care company to prepare your lawn and apply the seed, or you can do it yourself.

Reap what you sow

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the first step is to buy the highest quality disease-resistant seed from a garden centre with a good reputation, giving you the best chance for success. Make sure it’s not last year’s seed, which will have a lower germination rate.

Pay attention to seed bag labels, which will tell you if you’re buying the right grass blend for the area you intend to reseed. Some seed mixtures do better in shade, others in full sun. Still others are especially adapted to dry or moist conditions.

The most common mixtures include Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Garden experts recommend staying away from mixtures that include a lot of quick-germinating annual ryegrass seed because one good harsh winter will kill the grass.

Laying the groundwork

Before you start sowing, be sure to properly prepare your lawn. The first step is to remove the old turf with a trowel or shovel, marking out the area you need to replace. Next, break up the soil underneath and enrich with organic material (such as rich compost or well-rotted manure) and level it with a rake.

Now you’re ready to sprinkle your carefully-chosen grass seed across the area according to the package directions. Be sure to apply a topdressing layer of soil overtop of the new seeds to maximize moisture retention. Soil cover will also keep seeds from being blown away and protect them from hungry birds.

Over the next few weeks you’ll want to make sure the newly seeded patches stay moist. If Mother Nature takes care of this chore for you, all the better. If not, get out the sprinkler or garden hose to keep your lawn evenly moist, but not soggy.

Once the grass germinates, let it grow to about 10 centimetres before cutting it. |  Article from GreenLiving – read full article

You may also want to check out this video from Scotts