Overseeding is a great way to increase your lawn's density and fill bare patches with new grass growth. However, it's essential to properly care for it afterward so the seeds have the best chance of germinating and establishing themselves. To do this, you'll want to follow a strict watering schedule to ensure they have consistent moisture. You should also wait to mow your lawn until the new grass is about 3 inches tall, which can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Additionally, you'll want to avoid walking on your lawn for about 2-3 weeks to avoid harming the seeds. By following these steps, you can ensure your newly overseeded lawn in Iowa thrives!

Follow a Strict Watering Schedule for Your Newly Overseeded Lawn

Proper watering is crucial for the success of your newly overseeded lawn. After overseeding, you'll want to follow a strict watering schedule to ensure the seeds have consistent moisture. Here's a general guideline to follow:

  • Weeks 1-2: Water your lawn lightly 2-4 times a day. This will keep the soil consistently moist, which is essential for seed germination.
  • Weeks 3-4: Water your lawn deeply 1-2 times a day. This will provide the seeds with deeper moisture and encourage root growth.
  • After a Month: You can return to your normal watering schedule, as the roots of your grass are likely established and don't need too much special attention.

By following this strict watering schedule, you can provide the seeds with the moisture they need to germinate and establish themselves in the soil. This will help your newly overseeded lawn grow healthy and strong.

Wait to Mow Your Lawn Until the New Grass Is About 3 Inches Tall

Healthy lawn with mowing stripes on a property in Des Moines, IA.

Mowing your lawn too soon after overseeding can stress out the new grass and hinder its growth. To avoid this, you'll want to wait until the new grass is about 3 inches tall before mowing. This can take anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks after overseeding. When you do mow, set the mower deck height to its highest setting to avoid cutting the grass too short. This will help prevent stress and allow the new grass to continue growing and establishing itself in the soil.

Pairing overseeding with core aeration is a great way to yield the best results, as the holes created during the aeration process provide good seed-to-soil contact!

Avoid Walking on Your Lawn for About 2-3 Weeks After Overseeding

Walking on your lawn too soon after overseeding can harm the seeds and hinder their growth. To avoid this, you'll want to avoid walking on your lawn for about 2-3 weeks after overseeding. This will give the seeds enough time to germinate and establish themselves in the soil. After 2-3 weeks, you can gradually start walking on your lawn again, but be sure to avoid heavy foot traffic until the new grass is fully established.

Call us today to schedule our overseeding service!

If you want to increase your lawn's density and fill bare patches with new grass growth, we're here to help. At A+ Lawn & Landscape, we offer an overseeding service to help you achieve the lush, green lawn of your dreams. When you schedule this service, our team will use premium seeds to ensure they yield the best results. We'll also give you tips on how to care for your newly overseeded lawn afterward to ensure it grows healthy and strong.

Our overseeding service is available to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and other nearby areas in Iowa. Call us today at (515) 289-2020 to schedule our overseeding service!