Seeding (over-seeding)

Like any living organism, grass is not immune to natures challenges. Over-seeding will help thicken the lawn in-turn providing a defense against weeds. Seasonal timing is important for best results.

For those without irrigation or not interested in sprinkler programing, we recommend September 15-October 31st, or March 1st-April 30th.

Conditions needed for seed establishment:

• Proper seed-to-soil contact

• Adequate moisture levels

• Soil temperatures between 50-65 degrees

When over-seeding, not all seeds are expected to establish. Our approach when seeding a new lawn from bare soil is considerably more involved.

Top-dressing

When establishing seeds - After spreading new grass seeds, we cover them by applying a thin, even layer of compost. “Top-dressing” the seeds serves to protect against wildlife, help with water retention, and provides some temperature regulation. Think of this as an insurance policy when it comes to seed establishment.

When used to improve soil - For those with some patience, top-dressing can provide excellent results. We start by core aerating the lawn. This serves to create open spaces or “cores” into your existing soil. Next we apply premium finished compost at a rate of ~1/2 yard per 1k sqft. Rainfall will gradually wash this new organic material into the voids left from aeration. Each time this service is completed, we aim to increase your top-soil’s organic matter by 1%.