Fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed, especially if you want to finally fill in those bare spots and achieve the dense, green lawn you’ve been dreaming of. But knowing a few simple secrets to how to seed can make a huge difference between success and failure!
Summer can really take a toll on your yard. With high temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and constant use from outdoor fun or pets, lawns often look worn and tired by the end of the season. But while many take the “wait until next year approach” to lawn care, fall is actually the time you should be jumping into action!
Unfortunately, the issue with patchy bare spots all over the lawn in the fall isn’t just with a poor appearance – those bare spots also create the perfect environment for weeds like crabgrass and thistles to take hold and spread quickly. And that means a lawn that struggles even more next spring and summer.
The good news? Autumn brings the perfect conditions to repair your lawn. Cooler temperatures and more frequent rain help grass seeds take root and grow strong, making fall the best time for lawn restoration.
Whether you’re fixing bare patches or overseeding the entire yard, one thing is for sure, a few simple but key steps can make a huge difference in getting your grass to grow successfully. With seeding your lawn to perfection in mind, here is a look at just what to do this fall to have a great looking landscape next year.
How To Plant Grass Seed In The Fall For A Thick Lawn Next Spring!
Prepping Your Soil For Seed
One of the biggest mistakes people make when planting grass is skipping soil preparation. Simply tossing seed on top of bare areas won’t lead to the results you want. It will lead to poor seed germination and poor early growth.
Before you ever plant, it’s essential to first clear out any old grass or thatch and loosen the soil. For small patches, you can use a shovel to dig up and loosen the soil. For larger areas, using a rototiller is more effective. Without loose soil, seeds will struggle to establish.
But loosening the soil isn’t enough on its own. You must also add a boost of nutrients to help the seed sprout and grow quickly. And the best way to do this is by mixing compost or a compost blend into the soil to give it a boost.
Use Compost to Enrich the Soil – How To Plant Grass Seed In The Fall
Compost is actually the perfect amendment for starting grass seed. Not only does it energize the soil, but it also helps to hold moisture in it as well. That is a huge benefit for grass seed that needs moisture to sprout and develop.
So how much compost do you need? Once the area is cleared where you need to seed, spread a few inches of compost over the exposed soil. If you have homemade compost, that’s great, but store-bought options (like composted manure or mushroom compost) work just as well. Affiliate Product Link: Espoma Mushroom Compost
Use a rake to mix the compost into the soil. This combination of soil and compost in the upper layer of the dirt sets the stage for fast growth. Even more, the compost will continue to break down over the winter months and be ready to feed the grass in early spring.
This step is one that does add a bit more time (and a little cost if you need to purchase your compost) – but it truly is the secret to getting grass to grow and fill in fast!
Buy Quality Seed – How To Plant Grass Seed In The Fall
Once your soil is ready, it’s time to seed. One thing you don’t want to do here is make the mistake of buying poor quality seed.
Look for seed mixes as opposed to single types of seed. A mix of various grasses will give your lawn the best chance to stay healthy – much more so than just a single type of seed. In addition, make sure you are purchasing a seed that is made to grow for your area. Affiliate Link: Pennington Smart Patch Sun and Shade Mix 10 lb
Include Cover Crop Seed For A Boost – How To Plant Grass Seed In The Fall
In addition to adding compost to the soil, another big secret to successful seeding is to mix a cover crop seed in with your grass seed. Cereal rye and/or oats are two great choices for this. Affiliate Cover Crop Seed Link: Winter Rye Seeds – 5 Lbs – Non-GMO Rye Grain Cover Crop Seed
Cover crops germinate fast, often within just a few days. And as they do, they quickly provide shade and protection for grass seedlings. But even more, they also act as a natural barrier, preventing weeds from taking root in the bare soil.
Using cover crops such as rye or oats act like a natural mulch by holding moisture in the soil and shielding the seeds from extreme weather. Over time, they will die off after a few mowings, giving your grass room to grow. And as an added bonus, as the cover crop decays, it also improves the soil further.
When it comes to how much cover crop seed to mix in with your grass seed, a good rule of thumb is to mix a pound of cover crop for every four to five pounds of grass seed.
Water New Grass Consistently – How To Plant Grass Seed In The Fall
Watering is the final, critical step in ensuring your new grass seed takes root and grows strong. It’s not enough to water just once after planting, Consistent watering is essential to keep your new grass healthy.
Grass seed needs regular moisture to develop strong roots, especially in the first few weeks after planting. If there isn’t enough rain, make sure to water the area every couple of days. Water thoroughly so the moisture penetrates several inches into the soil, helping the grass roots to grow deep and healthy.
Plain and simple, grass seed and roots that are allowed to dry out for too long of a period in between waterings will struggle to survive.
Here is to getting your lawn in shape this fall with proper seeding. And even more, to see it bounce back for a thick, healthy yard that’s ready to thrive next spring! For more on lawn care – check out our article 4 Mowing Mistakes To Avoid For A Better Lawn.
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!