By Angela Patrone Rom Preston-Ellis
Gardeners take note: if your lawn’s looking a bit worse for wear, prioritise overseeding – it’s the ultimate fix for damaged turf. Revitalising sparse or patchy grass with overseeding could be the secret to achieving that envy-inducing emerald blanket you’ve always dreamed of. Want to get the best out of overseeding? Pick times when the weather is mild and there are plenty of showers expected. Forget any negative connotations you have with the term “overseeding”; it doesn’t spell trouble for your green space . A lawn care specialist clarified: “When you hear the phrase ‘overseeding’, it is understandable that you may associate the word with something negative.” Instead, reseeding is an ace up the sleeve for an instant lawn boost, filling it out and fending off unwelcome weeds, according to experts who hail overseeding as pivotal for a robust, verdant lawn. Forlorn, overseed-deprived lawns can expect to see their health dwindle and surrender territory to invasive weeds, reports the Express . Whether it’s bald spots from critters, clumsy mowing, or high foot traffic, overseeding addresses these unsightly scars head-on. David, our grass guru, underscores overseeding as an essential yearly garden ritual, touting its disease-fighting prowess and knack for keeping moss at bay. He pointed out: “Lawns that are regularly reseeded become progressively thicker and more luscious.” According to him, many people believe that overseeding boosts virility because they think grass reproduction slows with age. However, he explained: “Many varieties of grass reproduce at a slower rate after several years. By adding new grass plants to the turf, overseeding increases your lawn’s virility.” Another myth he debunked is the idea that cutting your lawn short means you don’t have to mow it as often. This is not true, and David warned that cutting it too short can be “damaging”. “The problem is that this kind of mowing puts an enormous amount of stress on the turf,” he said. “Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the photosynthesis that fuels leaf and root development. “The problem is that this kind of mowing puts an enormous amount of stress on the turf. Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the photosynthesis that fuels leaf and root development.” He also gave tips on how to mow your lawn correctly. He said: “The solution is straightforward. Mow the lawn as high as possible high as you can comfortably tolerate. Most homeowners find that two to two-and-a-half inches is a good height, though it may take some time to become acclimated to a length that feels slightly shaggy. “Mowing the lawn to this height once a week (or less during heat and drought stress) will ease the pressure on the plants and result in an overall healthier lawn.” David also busted the myth that it doesn’t matter when you water your lawn. He said the method and timing of watering can have a significant impact on your lawn’s health, especially during hot weather. He advises: “In fact, watering your lawn in the early morning is the most valuable time for your garden. This allows the grass to absorb the required amount of water and enables the sun to cause the excess to evaporate. “Watering at midday when the sun is at its hottest will cause water to evaporate quickly, without reaching the grassroots. “Also, when you water your lawn in the evening, you stimulate fungal development, which can damage your grass.”