Overseed cool-season lawns in fall not spring when possible

What to Do

If your lawn has widespread thin areas, plan a full overseeding for late August to mid-September rather than spring. Reserve spring seeding only for small bare patches that cannot wait.

Why It Works

Fall overseeding succeeds at much higher rates because soil is warm (promoting fast germination), air is cooling (reducing seedling stress), and weed competition is declining. Spring-seeded grass faces the opposite: it must establish roots before summer heat arrives and competes with peak weed germination. You also cannot use pre-emergent on seeded areas, leaving the rest of the lawn unprotected.

Tips

• Fall-seeded grass gets two cool growing seasons (fall and spring) before facing its first summer.
• If you must seed in spring, do it as early as possible to maximize growing time before heat.