It’s common to associate gardening and plants coming to life with spring. You’re not wrong, since winter is when things finally thaw away and we start to see nature transition back to green. With all that said, there are certain measures you should take in the fall that prepare your lawn to flourish in the spring. One of these measures is overseeding. This begs the question: is it better to overseed the lawn in spring or fall in Minnesota?

The best time to overseed your lawn in Minnesota is actually in fall. This is when temperatures aren’t too cold or too hot. As a rule of thumb, it’s generally recommended to overseed when daytime temperatures are somewhere between 60 to 75 degrees – providing seeds the proper conditions they need to successfully germinate in order to produce beautiful green turf.

Simply stated: Overseeding involves laying seeds over an existing lawn – something that helps reinvigorate the grass when your lawn is beginning to look thin.

Now that you know when you should overseed in Minnesota, let’s move on to why overseeding is best in Minnesota fall, and how to do so.

What Are the Benefits of Overseeding in Fall in Minnesota?

By overseeding your lawn in the fall, you will strengthen the root system of your lawn heading into those colder months of winter. Your lawn will reemerge even stronger once spring arrives some months later. Overseeding during Minnesota’s fall also helps thicken up your lawn, increase drought resistance, and reduce weed presence for the next spring.

What Does the Overseeding Process Look Like in the Fall?

Preparation

Give your lawn a nice cut but before laying down new seed. You may need to dethatch depending on your lawn’s condition. A lawn with too much thatch can actually stop the seeds from reaching the ground level. (For more information, see our post on dethatching).

Additionally, aerating the lawn is another great way to ensure that the seeds you’re about to lay down are going to reach where they need to germinate. This process punches tiny holes in the lawn’s surface and can be accomplished with a handheld aerator, a push aerator, or a tractor attachment.

Seed Options

In Minnesota, Kentucky Bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue are usually the types of seeds you’ll want to go with when you’re overseeding your Minnesota lawn in the fall. Kentucky Bluegrass is typically the most common in MN, however, you’ll want to make sure, since the type of seed you choose depends on what grass you already have.

Overseeding

Once you’re ready to get started with your fall overseeding, evenly spread your seed mix lightly, starting with your lawn’s edges and working your way in. You can do this by hand, or if you have any concerns regarding how much seed to apply, you can always use a handheld lawn spreader or fertilizer spreader.

Aftercare

After your seed mixture has been laid down, follow up with a light raking. This further ensures that the seeds are evenly spread across the turf. You’ll also want to make sure the lawn is receiving enough water, however not too much or you can harm the seeds.

Trust the MN Lawn Care Experts at Green Stuff With Your Fall Overseeding

No matter what time of year it is, the experts at Green Stuff can help ensure your lawn gets all the proper care it needs to stay healthy and lush. If you have more questions about why fall is the best time to overseed your lawn in MN, or you’re interested in our services, contact us today!