If your lawn is looking like it’s in need of some love, overseeding is the way to go.
Has a new puppy decided digging is its favourite pastime, or has an avid golfer created one too many divots during backyard swing practice? Or perhaps you’ve inherited a patchy lawn that doesn’t seem to have been given much TLC by its previous owners. Maybe your current grass isn’t an ideal breed and hasn’t thrived as well as promised. Whatever the case, the good news is it is possible to revive your lawn to its former glory. The solution? Overseeding with Paradise Kikuyu. Sowing new Kikuyu seeds over the top of your existing lawn will create a more even lawn, rejuvenate that lush green colour and will keep weed problems firmly at bay. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know about oversowing.
When to oversow?
The best times to oversow are early autumn or mid-late spring. Early autumn will ensure there’s still enough warmth for the seed to germinate and establish before the colder periods. Sowing mid-late spring will allow the seed to establish before excessive heat kicks in.
Preparing your lawn for over sowing
This is a thorough guide to preparing for over sowing. Depending on the current state of your lawn, all of these steps may not be necessary, but are options to make sure your new lawn has the best start!
Weeding
Take care of any weeds before over sowing. If you have a smaller area, hand weeding may be an option. For larger areas, it may be necessary to treat weeds with herbicide or an organic option, which should be done a week or two before seeding. Chat to your local garden centre about the best option for the weed varieties in your area, and see our article about all things weeds for more information. The great part is, once your Paradise Kikuyu lawn is reseeded and thriving, weeds will become almost a problem of the past!
To read more, check out our article on How to tackle weeds in your Kikuyu lawn.
Dethatch
Thatch is the level of organic matter between the grass blades and the soil that has not decomposed. When thatch is excessive, your lawn might feel extra spongy to walk on due to the build-up of dead organic matter. Leaving this excess thatch in your lawn can create problems with waterlogging, disease, and insect infestations. If thatch is a problem for you, tackle it before over sowing to allow the new grass the best possible start.
Aerate
Aerating helps to combat soil compaction. In turn, air, nutrients and water are better able to penetrate the soil, improving overall lawn health and giving new roots a better environment for growth. There are two types of aeration:
- Core aeration – Core aerating removes a plug of soil from the ground. This can be done using a special hand tool or a hired aerating machine. Core aerating is the most effective method to successfully aerate.
- Spike aeration – This method pokes a hole into the ground using a solid spike, such as a pitchfork. While this method might be effective in smaller areas, it may be too labour intensive for a larger lawn.
Mow
Mow the existing lawn short, without scalping it – this will allow better sunlight to reach the seedlings & stop seeds from getting stuck in tall grass. Make sure any loose clippings are raked up.
Sowing your new seeds and nurturing them to life
Now onto the good part! To work out how much seed you will need, you can use our simple calculator. Our recommended rate to over sow is 10 grams per square meter, meaning a 1kg bag will cover 100 square meters.
Seed can be spread either by hand as if ‘feeding the chickens’, or with a spreader. Spreading north-south then east-west will help achieve a more even coverage. Our Paradise Kikuyu is coated with special nutrients to give the seedling the best possible start and its beautiful bright blue colour also makes for easier spreading. Rake over the area lightly to help the seeds settle.
Next, apply our Paradise Starter fertiliser as per pack instruction. This fertiliser is specifically tailored to Kikuyu lawns and will give the seedlings everything they need to thrive. Fertilise again in 12 weeks with a Paradise Booster fertiliser and the rest will take care of itself!
For best results, you can apply a fine layer of topsoil or sandy loam over the entire surface. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much can hinder germination. Use a roller or similar to press the seeds in. Getting good soil to seed contact is important for successful germination.
Now, all that’s left to do is keep the area well-watered (but not waterlogged) for the next 10 – 14 days. This part is important as the seed needs a moist environment for germination. Stay off the area as much as possible for the next 5-6 weeks to give the new grass the best chance to establish. Avoid mowing the area until the lawn reaches around 7 cm in height. At this point, a nice trim will help stimulate further growth.
And that’s it! This process can be followed any time your lawn needs a new lease on life, but with Paradise Kikuyu’s star track record, we don’t think it will be too often. Shop all of our products here, and good luck!
