OVERSEEDING YOUR LAWN
IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
BRODLEAF
WEED REMOVAL
Hand pull weeds or, if necessary, spray your lawn with a good broadleaf weed killer to
eliminate dandelions, clover, and other objectionable weeds.
MOWING & THATCHING
Mow your lawn as short as possible without scalping.
If thatch buildup is excessive (over ½” thick), consider using a power thatcher to remove it.
Thatch is rarely a problem in the Willamette Valley unless your lawn contains bent grass.
FERTILIZING
Lightly fertilize the area to be planted. Apply fertilizer at
a rate that provides approx 2 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. To determine the coverage of your
fertilizer, use the following formula:
N number on bag x
Weight of bag in pounds x 5 = Coverage
in square feet
Spread fertilizer in two directions to avoid streaking. Adding a humic acid
product such as Soil Activator at a rate of 10 lbs per 1,000 square feet will promote beneficial microbes and unlock nutrients
in the soil.
SEEDING
Apply a grass seed mixture
at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Divide the grass seed into equal amounts and spread
from two directions, preferably with a spreader.
MULCHING
Mulching is optional, but can help retain moisture while the new seed germinates.
Composted material, spread only ¼” thick, works best for this. Fresh bark dust or sawdust
is not recommended because they tend to tie up available nutrients, leaving them unavailable for the new grass seedlings.
GERMINATION
Keep your new turf
moist until it is well-established. Our lawn seed mixes usually germinate in 5-10 days during warm temperatures,
longer if the weather is cool.
MOWING
Mowing your reseeded lawn should begin when the grass is about 3” tall. The
preferred mowing height is 1 ½” to 2”. The first mowing should be done at 2 - 2 ½”.
MAINTENANCE
Once your lawn is established, maintain a regular program of watering, fertilizing,
and liming to ensure a green, healthy turf. Reseeding over the existing lawn should be done periodically
to maintain a vigorous mix of preferred grasses.
The Lazy Gardener 03/14/07
