Spring is (finally!) in full swing and summer is swiftly approaching here in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washinton. Now is a great time to pay close attention to and care for the needs of your lawn. If the weeds in your lawn far outnumber the grass blades, then it may be time to consider reseeding. Please note reseeding is different than overseeding; if you simply have bare patches or would like to thicken up the appearance of your lawn, you should overseed. Reseeding entails replanting the entirety of a lawn.
Remove Old Lawn
The first step to reseeding your lawn is to deal with the old one, which, at this point, may be more weed than grass. Removing the old lawn can be done several ways. Since Urban Eden Landscaping strives to be organic whenever possible, we urge you to take an organic method of killing off the old grass and weeds. One of the least strenuous, but perhaps more time-consuming, methods is to mow the area as short as possible and then cover it with clear plastic. You can stake the plastic down or weight the plastic down with rock or brick. Then you will have to wait about a month or two for the grass to fully die off. If you are in more of a hurry to accomplish this task and would still prefer to be as organic as possible, you can thoroughly till the area, so that all you are left with is a patch of soil. Please note that this method will not be as efficient as the previous method in regard to killing off unwanted plant growth.
Prepare Your Yard for Reseeding
The next step is to decide what type of grass you want to plant. There is an abundance of grass types, many of which do well in Washington State. We suggest using a a combination grass mixture of fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass as this will prove to be the most versatile for most home lawns. Before planting, spread a thick layer of composted soil over the area. Using a rototiller, till the composted soil into the earth and then use a hard rake or landscape rake to level out the area as best you can.
Time to Seed
Once you have prepped the lawn for seeding, grab your seed and a seed spreader and begin lying down seed. You can use a handheld seed spreader for smaller areas, or you can use a walk-behind broadcast seed spreader for larger areas. Read the packaging of the seed you purchased, noting the “new lawn” coverage rate. Be meticulous during this portion of the reseeding; layer the area you want the lawn to grow as thoroughly as possible and ensure that the grass seed is not strown about in places you do not want lawn to grow.
Fertilize and Water
After the seed has been applied throughout the lawn, you should consider fertilizing immediately. Fertilizing will help to ensure that your new grass sprouts receive the necessary nutrients they need in order to grow lush and healthy. After fertilization, ensure that you keep foot traffic in this area to a minimum (preferably, none at all). Water in the area thoroughly at this point. Furthermore, ensure you are watering the area daily as it is critical that the grass seed not dry out at all before it has begun to grow at least an inch or two.
Reseeding your lawn is tedious work that takes plenty of patience, care, and time. If you are in need of assistance, do not hesitate to hire a professional. Urban Eden Landscaping has all of the necessary tools and experience to get any landscape job done efficiently and effectively. Contact us today for a FREE estimate.