Is It Time to Overseed and Lime Your Grass?

What’s the best part about spring? It’s not the April showers or even the May flowers. It’s the perfectly green grass we’ve waited to see for months.

Well, we may be biased, but it is one of the many great things about springtime. Now is a perfect time to tackle some lawn care activities that can fuel the growth of your grass, including seeding and lime applications. 

What Does Overseeding Your Lawn Do?

Overseeding is the process of adding grass seeds on top of your existing grass to fill patch areas or dead spots. Dead patches can result from an especially harsh winter or even buildup from a pet using the bathroom in the same area. 

Springtime is when you should see your grass return to a sea of green. Yellow and brown patches are never part of the plan. Even if you kept up with winter lawn care and don’t have any dead areas, your lawn can still lose a bit of luster over time. 

Overseeding can help revitalize your lawn. It enhances that glorious green color, thickens and softens your grass, and can protect your lawn from heat stress during the summer. 

How Do Lime Applications Benefit Your Lawn?

When we say lime, we aren’t talking about planting citrus in your garden. We’re talking about your soil and its pH.

Healthy grass needs food, water, nutrients, sunlight -- but it also requires the right level of acidity in the soil. Your lawn needs a good foundation, and when you get the pH right, your grass will thrive. 

Most grasses love a pH level between 5.8 and 7.0. Each type of grass has an ideal spot within that range. For example, warm-weather grasses such as bermuda and zoysia need a slightly lower pH to thrive. 

When soil pH is too low (too acidic), your grass will have a harder time absorbing nutrients, thereby stunting its growth. Adding lime to soil raises the pH to the best level for nutrient absorption and healthy growth.

When Is the Best Time to Overseed and Lime Your Grass?

In the south, the best time to overseed your lawn is mid-spring or early summer. The seeds need warmer temperatures to develop. It’s also best to overseed after you have aerated your lawn. Aerating creates tiny holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. This gives your seed a better chance of sprouting and growing strong roots.

Learn more about when to aerate your lawn here!

Spring is also a great time to add lime to your lawn, when the soil temperatures begin to warm. We also provide lime applications in the fall! Before adding lime to your yard, test your soil. This will let you know the current pH level and how much lime you need to add to meet your desired range.

 As with overseeding, it’s best to aerate first. It allows the lime to fully blend in with your soil for maximum efficiency. 

Expert Lawn Services for A Lush Lawn This Spring

We love serving our clients with year-round lawn services, but we always get excited to see everyone’s lawn burst forth beautifully and green each spring. 

Call our experts if you have questions about soil testing, overseeding, lime applications, fertilizing, or anything else you need to ensure a lush lawn this year! Fill out this form for more information or a quote, or call us today at 866.WAYNES1.