A field of fescue grass. Fescue is often the choice seed when overseeding.
Overseeding, which is the process of laying down grass seed on top of your existing lawn, will help to keep it green year-round. The seed will also help to fill in bare patches and thicken the lawn, which fights weed growth.
There are three main types of turf grass commonly grow in Southern California:
- St. Augustine: Dense, broad blades of grass. St. Augustine grows in the warm season and goes dormant in the cool. When it goes dormant it turns brown, but it will green up when the warmer weather returns. This is a tough, water efficient grass, and sometimes your best option in shaded areas (although it prefers full sun).
- Bermuda: Thinner but dense blades of grass. Bermuda is often used as sports turf. It is tough and fairly soft, but also aggressive. It can spread easily beyond its desired borders.
- Tall Fescue: Soft, lush, and deep green blades. Fescue is a favorite. Although it grows best in the cooler seasons, it will stay green year round with adequate summer water.
Overseeding with a fescue mix (annual bluegrass is usually mixed in) is the way to go. If you already have a fescue lawn, then the seed will help to thicken it. If you have St. Augustine or Bermuda, the fescue will add green during the dormant cool season. When the weather warms up again, Bermuda and St. Augustine will green up, and the fescue will dissipate.
The overseeding process requires adjustments to your sprinkler irrigation levels and multiple applications of seed. The seed will need to be placed with a compost topper, which not only helps to keep the seed damp, but also protects it from birds. The goal is to keep the seed/compost topper mixture damp but not soggy.
This process is best done by your irrigation technician. Don’t have an irrigation technician? We can help you with that. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We would love to come out and discuss what would be best to keep your lawn healthy, thick, and green!