--- title: "How to Overseed a Lawn" description: "Is your grass looking less lush than you'd like? Overseeding a lawn chokes out weeds, fills in bare patches, and is an easy weekend DIY." date: "2020-07-07" modified: "2025-03-13" authors: - name: "Teresa Odle" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/" - name: "Stacey L. Nash" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/stacey-l-nash/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-overseed-a-lawn/" categories: - "DIY" - "Lawn & Garden" - "Lawn Care" - "Lawn Care & Gardening" tags: - "How To" - "News" --- # How to Overseed a Lawn ![Close-up view of grass seeds coming out of a handheld seed spreader]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* A full, green lawn creates curb appeal and makes you feel like sipping an iced tea on the back patio. But if bare spots peek through and weeds overpower the grass, the lawn might be more of an eyesore than a point of pride. Overseeding chokes weeds and fills out the grass until it’s thick and lush. If you’re not sure how to overseed a lawn, all it takes is the right tools, smart timing, and a little knowledge about your local climate. What is "overseeding," exactly? Why is this lawn task not just called "seeding"? "Overseeding" is the term for adding more grass seed to a lawn without turning the topsoil. For many homeowners, overseeding is central to [general lawn maintenance](). Some lawns might need it once a year if drought or disease threaten the grass, and other lawns might need it every few years only to brighten the grass and keep it full. A few basic tools—like a lawn mower, seed and fertilizer spreader, and [rake]()—are all that you need to achieve a less patchy, more verdant yard. With the right grass seed and timing, overseeding will restore the lawn and give it a lush, uniform appearance. ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Lawn mower]() - [Lawn rake]() - [Grass seed]() - [Seed and fertilizer spreader]() - [Garden hose]() - [Lawn sprinkler]() ## Project Overview ***Working time:** 3 hours or more, depending on the size of the lawn* ***Total time:** 3 hours or more, depending on the size of the lawn* ***Skill level:** Beginner* ***Estimated cost:** $100 to $200, depending on size of lawn and products used* ## Before You Begin ![Materials for overseeding a lawn sitting on the grass, including garden hose, rake, fertilizer, seeds, and spreader.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* If your lawn has thatch (a compact layer of grass and soil), it might need [dethatching]() or [aerating]() before you spread seed. Otherwise, the grass seed used in overseeding won’t reach the soil to germinate and take root. Aerating creates holes in the grass and soil through which water, oxygen, and vital nutrients can reach the new grass seed and the roots of the existing grass. ![Sunday Lawn Care]() DIY Lawn Care. Simplified. Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive. **[START GROWING]()** ## Overseeding a Lawn in 5 Simple Steps ### Step 1: Mow and rake the lawn. ![A person raking a lawn before overseeding the lawn.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* The goal of overseeding a lawn is to get the grass seed in contact with the soil. To do that, the first step is to [mow the lawn](). Mow it shorter than usual so the grass seed will have a better chance of reaching the soil. Make sure to bag the clippings so they don’t come between the seeds and soil. After mowing, rake the entire lawn to remove dead grass, rocks, sticks, and any other debris. This process removes any final barriers between the grass seed and soil, and loosens the soil in preparation for seeding and germination. ### Step 2: Amend the soil, if necessary. ![Woman takes a soil sample from her lawn and deposits it in a Ziploc bag.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Soil amendments are different from fertilizers. Amendments have specific nutrients and chemical compositions for [specific soil types](). For example, lime, wood ash, and poultry manure raise the pH level of acidic soil to make it more suitable for certain plants and grasses. Sulfur amendments, on the other hand, add acidity to alkaline soil. Additions of peat moss for clay soil and compost for sandy soil also can improve the nutrients in the lawn and its condition. If a lawn has not been growing and greening as it should, [doing a soil test]() can determine the soil type and pH. The test results will identify what, if any, types of amendments the soil needs for grass to develop. Keep in mind that if the soil has a neutral pH and is fertile, it likely needs no amendments. **RELATED: [Top-Dressing the Lawn: Why It’s Important and How to Do It]()** ### Step 3: Spread the grass seed. ![Woman uses a handheld spreader to distribute grass seed on her lawn.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* After determining the [right time of year time to overseed]() (knowing when to reseed a lawn is based on your climate and grass type), load the grass seed into a seed spreader and set it to distribute about 16 seeds per square inch of soil. The right seed density will depend on the thickness of the existing lawn, so some lawns might need less. You can spread grass seed by hand if you don’t have a spreader. Choose a grass seed designed for your climate or region that complements the existing grass. Cool-season grasses thrive in variable temperatures, like those found in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. Warm-season grasses grow best in a climate like that of the southern United States. (For recommendations on quality seeds, see our [researched guide to the best grass seed for overseeding]().) Consulting the [USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map]() can help determine the average local climate to best choose the appropriate grass type. Look for grass seed that’s rated by the [National Turfgrass Evaluation Program]() because these varieties have been tested and found resistant to disease, drought, and common pests. ### Step 4: Add grass seed fertilizer. ![Woman pours fertilizer from a bag into a seed spreader for distribution on her grass.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Select the [best fertilizer]() for your region and property, and load it into a [fertilizer spreader](). Start by scattering around the perimeter of the lawn to make sure fertilizer reaches the edges of your property. Next, follow a pattern similar to a mowing pattern by moving in straight rows until the entire lawn is fertilized. There are different types of fertilizer spreaders, including a broadcast spreader, handheld spreader, snap spreader, drop spreader, and liquid sprayer. Fertilizing small yards often requires just a small handheld spreader. Those with larger yards will save a lot of time and effort by using a broadcast spreader. Both yard size and fertilizer type will determine which type of spreader is best for your property. For example, liquid fertilizer is applied via sprayer, like a [quality backpack sprayer](), and midsize yards are more easily fertilized with a snap or drop spreader. Keep in mind that some spreaders can handle both grass seed and fertilizer broadcasting, so depending on the fertilizer type and spreader, you might only need one tool for both steps. ### Step 5: Water the seeded lawn. ![A lawn sprinkler attached to a garden hose waters the grass.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* After fertilizing, [water the lawn]() for a short time each day. It's best to water in the morning to maximize the water intake. More evaporation occurs during the afternoon and evening, which means it will take more water to get the same benefits. You don’t want to overwater the lawn because doing so can wash away the seed, prevent germination, or encourage thatch development and the growth of fungus and weeds. If there are puddles or the ground feels spongy, cut back on the watering time. **RELATED:** [**Solved! How Long Does It Take for Grass to Grow?**]() ![Sunday Lawn Care]() DIY Lawn Care. Simplified. Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive. **[START GROWING]()** ## Final Thoughts Part of learning how to overseed a lawn requires knowing when to do it, and this has everything to do with climate and [grass type](). Cool-season grasses seed best in the late summer and early fall. The cooler temperatures slow the growth of the existing grass but give the seeds time to germinate and grow before the grass goes dormant. Warm-season grass does best when seeded between early spring and early summer. In this case, the seed has time to germinate and grow before the warmest summer temperatures hit. Keep the new seed well watered to give it a good start on growth. Once your lawn grass is shipshape, consider browsing [low-maintenance plants for your landscape](). ## FAQs ## Author Teresa Odle is a writer and editor who has lived and gardened throughout the mountains of arid New Mexico. She joined the BobVila.com team as a freelancer in March 2020, editing and writing helpful articles mostly on gardening and outdoor living.