Caring for Your Newly Overseeded Lawn Proper care during the first two months is essential to obtaining the most from your overseeding investment. Seed with adequate moisture will germinate in 14-28 days. The following is a synopsis of Maryland Cooperative Extension’s Agronomy Mimeo #67, Caring for the Newly Seeded Lawn, August 1999. Keep the Seedbed Moist One of the most critical factors for the success of overseeding is maintaining adequate soil moisture until the newly seeding turf becomes established. Seed must be left undisturbed and simply will not fully germinate without an adequate amount of moisture. Because the root system of young seedlings is shallow and not extensively developed, maintaining moisture in the upper inch of the soil is especially important. Windy days, low humidity, high temperatures, sandy soils, and compacted soils are conditions that will inhibit your effort to keep the soil moist. As the seedlings develop, the surface may dry out but the lower root zone must still be kept moist. You would then need to irrigate more thoroughly but less frequently. Although not usually a problem, avoid watering past the point at which the soil is so saturated that it starts to pond or run off. Also do not water late in the evening or at night as some seedling diseases are substantially worse when leaf blades remain wet throughout the night. Mowing Proper mowing practice is essential in the care and development of a newly overseeded lawn. Use a sharp blade. Do not mow when the temperature is above 90º F. Do not mow lower than 2 ½ inches and do not allow the grass to get higher than 3 ½ inches high. Never mow more than a 1/3 of the height at any one time. If it gets a little too high bring height down gradually with more frequent mowings. If the grass is clumping you are cutting too much with a single cut. Do not mow if the grass is wet and the ground is not firm. Fertilization Wait 2 months before continuing any fertilization program that you follow in the areas that have been overseeded.
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