Fall is the best time to reseed your lawn. Plus, we have tips on the mistakes to avoid.
WASHINGTON — Fall might mean colorful leaves and cooler temps, but it’s also prime time to give your lawn a little love before winter sets in. If your grass took a beating this summer from heat, drought or heavy foot traffic, fall is the perfect season to revive it or start fresh.
“Most of your root growth takes place during the fall,” says David Yost with Merrifield Garden Center. “Grass loves temperatures around 50 to 75 degrees, so we want to take advantage of this season to really improve your lawn and get it looking great.”
After a hot and dry summer, many homeowners are seeing bare patches or thin spots in their lawns. Yost said the first step to recovery is simple: rake up the dead grass, spread new seed and top it with compost.
“Compost helps protect the seed, keeps it from washing away, and holds moisture for better germination,” Yost explains. “Plus, you’re adding organic matter to improve the soil.”
Choose the Right Grass Seed
Not all grass seed is created equal — and the amount of sunlight your lawn gets matters.
“If you’re in a full-sun, hot area, go with tall fescue, which is what most people in this region grow,” Yost said. “If you’re in heavy shade — less than four hours of sunlight — switch to a fine fescue, which grows slower but is better adapted to shade.”
New grass seed needs consistent, light watering every day for the first few weeks.
“That initial four weeks can be a little bit rough,” Yost explains. “But after that, it should be looking pretty good. And if you still see some bare spots, there’s plenty of time to fill in those gaps.”
When to Choose Sod Instead
If your lawn is mostly weeds or bare ground — more than 40% of it in poor condition — Yost recommends starting over with sod.
“The nice thing with sod is instant gratification,” says Yost. “It takes growers about a year to get sod into good condition, but once you put it down and keep it watered, it saves you a lot of time and effort compared to seeding.”
Don’t Forget Fertilizer
To set your lawn up for success next spring, Yost suggests fertilizing twice — or even three times — during the fall season.
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