Seeding Solutions for All Your Lawn Care Needs

Lawn seeding projects come in all shapes and sizes depending on the current state of your lawn, from fixing small dead patches to complete lawn renovation. No matter what seeding project you need, we have a solution. Here are some expert tips to help you tackle your next lawn project.

The Best Time to Seed

The best time of year to repair your lawn by tackling a seeding project varies depending on where you live. If you live in the North, you will have the best success in the spring or fall. The ideal conditions for seeding are warm soil, cool air temperatures, and plenty of rain (or water). In the South, late spring through early summer is preferred for seeding since warm-season grasses need warmer soil temperatures to germinate.

Lawn Projects: DIY Repairs

Even with regular feedings and proper maintenance, your lawn may occasionally need to be repaired. Extreme heat, periods of drought, insects, disease, and normal wear and tear can make lawns look worn and tired. There are 2 seeding projects ideal for repairing your lawn: patching and overseeding.

1. Choose a patching product to seed bare patches. Scotts® EZ Seed® Patch & Repair is specially designed for patching bare spots in the lawn. It's an all-in-one product containing Scotts® high-performance grass seed, premium continuous-release lawn food, and a super-absorbent growing material that helps keep the seed from drying out. And the best part is it's easy to use, and the results are guaranteed! (Subject to proper care.)
2. Prep the area. Before applying Scotts® EZ Seed®, simply rake the ground to remove any debris (like dead grass and weeds) and loosen the soil to help the tiny seedlings take root once they sprout.
3. Apply the product. Scotts® EZ Seed® should be applied so that the bare spot is mostly covered but the ground beneath is still visible. When watered, the mulch in the product will expand to fill the entire area and help keep the seed covered and moist.
4. Water well. Thoroughly water the newly seeded area until no more water is absorbed. When Scotts® EZ Seed® turns light brown, it's time to water again. Continue to water daily (or as needed) for at least 2 weeks or until the seedlings are 2 inches tall.

1. Choose an overseeding product. Whether your lawn contains cool or warm-season grasses, Scotts has the perfect product for your overseeding needs. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed combines seed, fertilizer, and soil improver to help establish deep roots. Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass's revolutionary mix of seed and fertilizer results in full, green grass in just weeks. Scotts Turf Builder Thick'R 3-in-1 solution is uniquely formulated to help turn your thin lawn into a thicker, greener lawn with stronger roots in s single application. The choice is yours!.
2. Mow low. Set your mower to one of its lowest settings and cut your grass so that it's no more than 2 inches tall. Be sure to bag the clippings as you mow – it will make the next step easier.
3. Prep the area. After mowing, rake the lawn to remove any remaining dead grass and debris and loosen the top layer of soil. This will help the grass seedlings take root once they sprout.
4. Apply the grass seed for overseeding product. This is the easy part. Simply fill up your spreader with Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick'R Lawn™ or Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed, adjust the spreader settings according to the label directions, and apply.
5. Water regularly. Keep the soil surface moist by watering daily or as needed for the first 2 weeks. Resume mowing when the lawn reaches the desired mowing height.

Lawn Renovation Projects

Sometimes a lawn will simply reach the point of no return. If your lawn is showing signs of significant damage, a lawn renovation project might be the best way for you to get a green, thick lawn to enjoy.

1. Clear the area. Start by killing any remaining poor-looking grass and all weeds with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. After everything is dead, rake the area to remove the debris.
2. Prep for success. If your soil is really compact, now is a great time to core aerate the area (read our article on aerating). After aerating, use a rake to level out any uneven areas and loosen the top ¼ inch of soil. Then add a 1-inch layer of Scotts® LawnSoil™ evenly across the entire area. It's specifically formulated to help grass seed germinate better and get off to a good start.
3. Select your grass seed. Choose a Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed that is right for your location. Be sure to take into consideration the growing conditions in your area: How much sun? How much rain? How much wear and tear from children and family pets? If you need help finding a grass type that matches your growing conditions, check out our Grass Seed Identifier article.
4. Apply the product. Once your soil is prepped, it's time to seed. Just fill up your spreader with Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed, adjust the spreader settings according to the label directions, and apply. Want to get the job done fast? Opt for the Scotts® Elite Spreader. With its 6-foot spread pattern, you'll cover the lawn in fewer passes so it takes less time.
5. Feed for growth. After spreading the grass seed, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Lawn Food for New Grass to give developing seedlings needed nutrients so they can develop a deep root system faster. If you live in the North, you can apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action Built for Seeding instead. Not only will it give developing seedlings needed nutrients, but it also prevents listed weeds, like dandelion and crabgrass, for up to 6 weeks.
6. Water daily. Proper watering is a critical step to seeding success. Keep the soil surface moist by watering daily or as needed until the seedlings reach at least 2 inches tall.