How to reseed a patchy lawn

The best time to overseed a lawn would be early autumn, especially if your lawn is looking tired after a dry summer. Mid-spring is also a suitable time for overseeding. Ideally, sow the seed when the ground has had a good fall of rain.

1. To prepare the seedbed, mow the lawn as low as possible to eliminate long blades that will compete with new seedlings, and lightly rake or scarify and spike the soil. This creates space and provides pockets for the new seeds to settle in the soil.
2. Rake in lawn seed fertiliser 3-5 days before sowing.
3. Identify target areas and sow at 25g per square metre.
4. Lightly water the newly seeded grass.

It is best to keep off the newly sown seed until the seedlings are firmly anchored. The grass should sprout 7-10 days after sowing.

Watering can be beneficial in periods of hot and dry weather, although too much can result in a shallow root system and poor establishment. Use a fine spray to water the area, making sure to keep the seedbed moist until the grass has reached a height of about 2 inches. Once the grass is established, watering is not usually necessary. Even if the lawn turns brown and dry over summer it will usually recover when it begins to rain. If water is needed to maintain a green sward, use a sprinkler or hosepipe to make sure enough water is applied to reach the roots.

The grass should begin to show between 7 and 14 days after sowing, however, this depends on the seed used and the temperature of the soil. How the grass grows will also depend heavily on the weather conditions, in cold and dry conditions germination can take much longer.

Other factors that affect growth include:

• Rainfall
• Soil temperature
• Preparation of the seedbed
• Type of seed