A little lawn sense
When should I overseed my lawn?
Overseed thin cool-season lawns in late summer or early fall, when seedlings have cooler weather ahead. Warm-season repairs belong in warm growing weather.
Fix the cause first
Shade, compaction or poor watering can thin a lawn. Seed alone will not fix those conditions. Get a soil test and choose seed adapted to the site.
Make contact with soil
Mow as appropriate for renovation, remove debris and expose soil without destroying healthy turf. Aerate compacted areas. Spread seed at the label’s renovation rate.
Keep seedlings moist
Keep the seedbed moist during germination, then gradually water less often and more deeply. Check herbicide labels for seeding restrictions. St. Augustine is planted with sod or plugs; not every warm-season variety is available as seed.
Questions from the yard
Can I seed in spring?
You can repair cool-season lawns in spring, but weeds and summer stress make establishment harder.
Can I seed after crabgrass preventer?
Most preventers also stop grass seed. Follow the product’s reseeding interval.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed October 2026. General US home-lawn guidance; local recommendations may differ.