The fundamental purpose of overseeding is to establish a temporary cool-season grass into the warm-season base for improved color and playability during the fall and winter when the warm-season grass enters dormancy. Overseeding increases the need for irrigation and routine mowing and may result in significant thinning of the base grass during spring transition. Successful overseeding programs require year-long planning and incorporate all aspects of root-zone cultivation and weed control in an effort to maintain health of the warm-season turfgrass while allowing successful establishment of the overseeded cool-season grass species.
Best Management Practices
- Remove thatch to improve seed-to-soil contact as part of an active cultivation program before overseeding.
- Reduce or eliminate fertilization of the base grass three to four weeks before the planned seeding date to minimize growth and competition.
- Core-aerate the soil four to six weeks before the planned overseeding date to open turf canopy and aid in uniform establishment of overseeded grass.
- Select cultivars that are adapted to the desired use, taking note of disease resistance and spring transition traits.
- Irrigate newly planted overseed to maintain constant moisture levels, not allowing the soil surface to dry out. Gradually reduce irrigation once the seedlings have been mowed.
- Do not fertilize with nitrogen immediately before or during establishment of overseed as the N may encourage warm-season turfgrass competition and increase disease potential.
- Reduce fertilizer rates in the spring to slow the growth of overseeded grass. Once warm-season turfgrass regrowth is apparent, restore fertilizer applications to stimulate growth of the warm-season turfgrass.
