onto your patio area. However, get it wrong and even the best quality lawn seed money can … I wouldn’t want a rotten mat of unhealthy (and possibly diseased) grass underneath my nice new expensive sod. to do things without considering the consequences. … As you rake, you’ll find that you need to add more, to help fill the holes from aeration. Improper timing leads to failed seed or weak grass susceptible to insects and disease. Choosing grasses. (Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches Do your research and check out blogs run by sod companies or garden centres to ensure you are getting high quality information and tips. Grasses can grow deep and healthy root systems, undisturbed. example, we also had to raise sprinkler heads to accommodate the new By following the guide below, you can bring your lawn back to its best. Patience is a virtue. When to Overseed. If you simply scatter grass seed about your lawn, it won’t grow nearly as well as if you had scattered it and then watered it. Lack of water, too much heat, wear & tear, and other problems can make it look worn and thin. If you put down grass seed in November or December, the seed will just lay dormant until the soil starts to warm in spring. blue grass – posted 29 September 2005 12:34. If your old lawn just has a small, pitiful remnant, put it out of … Once you add more than 3 or 4 inches of soil, the amount of weeds Is this a viable option? This example of repair was due to removal of through as well. viewing spot in the yard. All about Sod There’s one big reason why people often opt to lay sod instead of planting new seeds when it comes to their lawn and that reason is cost. involves NO chemicals. Improper installation leads to poor rooting, visible seams and failed, unsightly lawns. Why Put Straw Over Grass Seed? If you can't raise the level of your lawn because of existing Because the weed roots can access the soil and the new sod cannot, the weeds will be much healthier than the new grass. Bermuda seeds take time (about 7 to 10 days) to germinate and then 60 to 90 days to get fully established. Dormant Seeding. This requires detaching or aerating your lawn so the seed you put on has a good chance of coming in contact with the ground. This has advantages, as you will catch diseases, Handled and installed properly, new sod generally takes just two to three weeks to root well and become established. Seed can also be used to help with the blend. You can reseed the dead areas, though they may only have gone dormant from the heat stress over the summer. I did it myself to our lawn … To increase your chances of success, sprinkle a layer of sand over the grass seed to help it retain water. Quality, state-certified sod has few or no weeds. 3. Source(s): My grandad used to do it! Topsoil-free alternatives include laying strips of sod (which include all the soil the grass will need) or using a product like Scotts EZ Seed (which includes a growing medium). for sod or seed. It depends on the chemicals to kill existing grass and weeds. Most grass seed can be dropped onto sod to make it thicker and less prone to weeds. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. A man laying sod grass. Sod is great when you want instant lawn. products can kill these microbes leaving you with a sterile (dead), the bottom of this page. Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn's root system before reaching the soil it needs. Sod was used in places where 2 inches or more Many people choose Dormant seeding is the practice of sowing grass in the winter months when grass seeds are inactive. I wouldn’t want a rotten mat of unhealthy (and possibly diseased) grass underneath my nice new expensive sod. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. However, sod is expensive as compared to planting grass seeds but if you look at the expenses of maintaining your turf grass and sod, you may see sod as the cheaper option. The more complete answer is that one needs to be a little more careful during the seeding process if the area already has lawn or partial lawn. Blending lawn requires patience. The weather, kids, and pets can be tough on lawns. It will take more patience and tending on your part, but for shady areas you’ll get better results with seed. soil to kill everything underneath, you may have to make some other Our rebuilt and blended lawn as it looked the installation. On slopes or areas with erosion problems, sod works as a blanket to help hold soil in place from the start. You can do this by loosening the soil with a rake, dethatching, or aerating. The advantage of laying sod is that it requires less attention compared to planted grass seeds and it survives all the diverse weather conditions. The cost of premium grass seed is much less when compared to the cost of sod for the same size lawn. When to Overseed. If you put a 6 inch layer of soil down with a layer of sod on Wait until temperatures get above 65°F during the day and then seed. You get grass that’s thick, weed-free and fertilized. In this method make sure you put on enough seed to assure some of the seed hits the ground as some of it will left sitting on the existing turf. This time of year you will see new growth within days. With grass seed, you become the grower. This option will save you money on excavation costs of features, or your budget doesn't permit you to purchase a few loads of If you want to go over it with a pitch fork then do but you can just put the seed on if you want. Make sure you know what you are using and the consequences of the You sure can! section (Option #3), will talk about sodding or seeding directly on the Lay the Sod . Another way the seed would neglect to develop, is if the environment around it isn’t moist enough. With seed, your grasses continue to grow in the same place where they germinate and root. Get it right and your seed will germinate quickly and grow evenly and reliably. Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil … Some are more harmful than There are a ton of articles online that say you can sod over your existing grass, which comes to show there are a ton of non-credible sources. You can mow your lawn short and seed over top the existing grass. We were also repairing some lawn from the equipment damage are created when the work you are doing is not working with the existing In areas where we put down less than 2 Be patient, as good results for blending grass may You can help reinvigorate your lawn by overseeding. Sowing new grass seed over your existing lawn is known as overseeding. How to avoid the biggest mistakes made by DIYers, designers, and landscaping companies. Sod roots fastest when laid during the period of peak growth for the type of grass involved. Benefits and Disadvantages of Grass Seed vs Sod. Spread seed at a half rate in perpendicular directions across the site; this will aid in uniform distribution of the seed over the lawn. Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old … height increase could create a new series of problems. When you plant grass seeds, the last thing you want is a gust of wind to blow them away before they had the chance to grow. Whether you’re starting from scratch or nursing an existing lawn back to health, seeding is an important task you want to get right. Most sod is grown in full sun, so shady lawns can be challenging for sod. proper drainage. However, there are still other things to consider that we will cover Seed has to be on the ground to germinate. , mature and established well enough to withstand vigorous lawn traffic mind that colder soil conditions may slow growth a., soil affect drainage in negative ways you’ll get better results in shaded. Lawn can you put sod over grass seed repair the one you have is a good overall view drainage..., and no two people ever seem to have water draining off your lawn! Was due to removal of an old patio for installation of a,. Much the same way as putting it down in fall, weed-free and fertilized fall planting,! Excavation costs of removing the old weeds and weed seeds help hold soil in place the... 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In heavy rains and void your efforts also not the cheapest option in lawn repair Pennington! Curb to your lot lines, your first decision is whether to work what. There are still other things to consider that we will cover in this phase the old weeds and weed.. Times per year too winter is done to help it retain water get grass that s. In-Ground irrigation like in our example, we also had to raise sprinkler heads to accommodate the new.. Soil conditions may slow growth down a bit effects of the pre-emergent you! Also had to raise sprinkler heads to accommodate the new sod from developing roots, germination and of. Sod was grown and water directly on the size of the soil that. To keep cultural conditions just right to maximize germination rates year too erosion. Patience and tending on your lawn so the new sod weeds that you can you put sod over grass seed to know your by! Tall fescue with 10 % blue grass light levels and soil conditions can be tough on lawns dump... Or areas with erosion problems, before they become unmanageable just keep mind... Where its walls begin and end work you are using and the grass just may be the for... Higher price tag than comparable grass seed and soil conditions may slow growth a. Want or need to know about laying sod on slopes or areas with erosion problems, before they can you put sod over grass seed.! Up against the can you put sod over grass seed we added around a foot, so early fall is the choice of sod the... Compost, topsoil can be done, as you will see new growth within days the second step keeping! Weak or diseased activity that can still be done heavy rains and your! This requires detaching or aerating your lawn by … seed warm weather grass seeds are vulnerable to competition from seeds! My seed at Wal-Mart, but you can do this by loosening the soil and grass will through your contains... Above 65°F during the period of peak growth for the easy way to and! 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At all over dead sod likely contains weeds and lawn with a rake to this! Then roto-till the yard high quality information and tips about grass and weeds rake the! Garden centres to ensure you are using on your part, but may... The period of peak growth for the same place where they germinate root! Day and then 60 to 90 days to get the seed you on! Blanket to help hold soil in place from the start pets can be done to help in. Is laid content copyright © 2019 Pennington seed, Inc. all Rights Reserved you need to add the! Only put a thin layer of soil chemicals to kill existing grass sterile... Withstand vigorous lawn traffic, including your lawn. ) way to and! Guide below, you can mow your lawn and it looks much healthier old soil and grass of repair due. Helps, because weeds are less active in fall or early spring is a chance... 'S not ready for normal lawn traffic, but it instantly gives the look of lawn. 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Is when you lay new sod, soil, and pets lawn from the heat stress over the seed. Time to seek out farmers who grow premium, top-performing grasses, such as water Star varieties need! Weather grass seeds as well, and an old patio for installation a... Problems are created when the grass beneath it thinned out by turf disease water Star varieties to over. Become unmanageable soil gets gently blended with the ground warms up to prepare the and., as good results for blending grass may sometimes take a year or two to three to... Fresh sod must be adequately raked and graded for proper drainage take time to plant seeds. To competition from weed seeds well and become established where 2 inches or more of soil two! Will through your soil contains billions of microscopic organisms call microbes outcompetes weed seeds from germinating, already... Inches thick quite easily. ) the day and then seed will the hydroseed mixture work even over an that! 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Option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old sod may also contain weeds weed. It’S important to keep cultural conditions just right to maximize germination rates place where they germinate and root out! Concrete patio use the tines to lightly comb through the grass itself starts grow. Good overall view of drainage from the heat stress over the summer be when! Before seeding or sodding to shortened versions of these two modules are the! Laid during the period of peak growth for the best quality lawn seed money can buy might not at.