Can You Seed Your Lawn in the Spring in Ohio?

When it comes to maintaining a lush and healthy lawn in Ohio, timing is everything. One common question that property owners often ask is whether it's possible to seed their lawn in the spring. While it's technically possible, there are several reasons why it may not be the best idea. Ideally, you want to avoid seeding your lawn in the spring because lawn care treatments during this season include pre-emergent weed control. While this treatment targets weeds, it can also affect the grass seeds and prevent them from germinating.

However, you can get away with seeding in the spring if you're only doing it in an isolated area. That way, you can still treat your lawn while avoiding the seeded area! Additionally, it's important to spread straw over the seeds to protect them. This will alert your lawn care provider that an area on your turf has been seeded, so they can avoid treating it with a pre-emergent weed control.

Why It's Better to Avoid Seeding Your Lawn in the Spring in Ohio

The main reason why it's better to avoid seeding your lawn in the spring in Ohio is that the initial lawn care treatments during this season typically include pre-emergent applications. These pre-emergent applications are designed to prevent weed growth by inhibiting the germination of weed seeds. However, they can also inhibit the germination of grass seeds. This means that if you seed your lawn in the spring, the pre-emergent application could prevent the grass seeds from germinating, resulting in a patchy and uneven lawn.

When is it safe to seed your lawn in the spring in Ohio?

While it's generally not recommended to seed your lawn in the spring in Ohio, there is one situation where it can be done safely. If you're only seeding an isolated area, such as a small patch of bare soil, it's okay to do so. This is because the pre-emergent application is applied to the entire lawn, and you can easily avoid the seeded area.

Here's a general outline of the process on how you can safely get away with seeding in the spring:

• Add a layer of soil to the area. This creates a nice seed bed where the grass seeds can settle and germinate. Make sure to rake the soil to ensure it is even and not too thick.
• Spread the grass seeds. Use the right amount of grass seeds when seeding your lawn to grow dense and even grass growth.

Spread straw over the grass seeds to protect them.

If you do decide to seed your lawn in the spring, it's important to take extra precautions to ensure that the seeds have the best chance of germinating. One way to do this is by covering the seeds with straw. The straw will help to protect the seeds from being washed away by rain or eaten by birds. It will also help to retain moisture in the soil, which is essential for seed germination.

Spreading straw over the grass seeds will also make the seeded area more noticeable. If your lawn care provider is different from the one who laid the seeds, they will easily notice the area and be aware that there are seeds in the ground. This is important as it allows them to avoid the area when applying a pre-emergent application, which could kill the grass seeds.

Call us today to schedule our overseeding service!

If your lawn has a patchy area that you want to thicken up, you've come to the right place for help. Our team at Hoffmans Lawn & Fertilization offers an overseeding service that will transform your thin lawn into lush and vibrant grass. This service is most commonly offered in the fall because this season provides an ideal environment for the grass seeds to grow. However, if you want to have it done in the spring, our professionals will make sure it is done properly!

This service is offered to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Delaware, Lewis Center, Powell, and nearby areas in Ohio. Call us today at (740) 318-5296 to schedule!