Fall Lawn Restoration

Next, rake, mow and aerate the area you’re reseeding so the grass will be able to take root. Using a spreader, scatter the seed in straight lines and then perpendicularly, paying extra attention to bare spots. Experts differ on what kind of covering to use, with some like Home Depot recommending soil and fertilizer and others like Grass Pad saying you should use a light mulch of sphagnum peat, which – unlike soil and fertilizer – won’t contain weed seeds.

Water regularly, at least twice a day, keeping an eye on the weather. (It goes without saying, but let us say it nonetheless, that you shouldn’t reseed before a storm, nor do you need to water if rain is predicted.)

In one or two weeks, you should see new grass appearing. Wait until it’s about four inches before you cut it back an inch.

Then you have a lawn for all seasons.

Fall lawn restoration

With cool temperatures and enough moisture, autumn is the perfect time to reseed your lawn or overseed it, which means reseeding those parts that are bald or brown. It’s not as easy, however, as just scattering seeds.

First, you’ll need to do a little preparation to see which grass seed and fertilizer you’ll need and how much. Measure your lawn by walking it – Grasspad.com says a pace is about 3 feet -- https://grasspad.com/fall-lawn-overseeding-and-renovation/ then multiply the width by the length and you’ll have your measurement.

Test the soil to see what kind of grass you’re already growing. (Bluegrass, fescue and rye are popular cool grasses in our climate.) “You can use a soil test kit or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for a soil test,’ writes HomeDepot.com. https://www.homedepot.com/c/ai/how-to-seed-a-lawn-in-fall/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90f0315954 Bluegrass, fescue and rye are popular cool grasses in our climate, with bluegrass seeds being smaller than the other two, so you’ll need more bluegrass seed if you’re reseeding with that. Home Depot also recommends a fertilizer that balances nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to nourish your lawn.