What Is The Best Seed For Overseeding Your Fall Lawn?

A scorching summer can leave a once lush-looking lawn in shambles. The stress of intense heat and a lack of rain or watering can cause unsightly brown patches and dying grass. Even worse, stressed grass is more vulnerable to disease, which can leave you with a patchy, thin, or discolored lawn. Fortunately, if you grow cool-season grass (common in mid to northern areas of the US), fall's cooler temperatures make it the perfect time to overseed the lawn. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) seed are two of the best options.

In case you've never heard of it before, overseeding is the practice of adding grass seed to your existing lawn. It's a simple chore that you may be able to complete in an afternoon, depending on the size of your yard, and by spring, it can give you a full, vibrant lawn your neighbors will envy. The best time of year to overseed a lawn will depend on your location and grass type. If you live in a warm climate and have warm-season grass, top off your lawn with fresh seed in the early spring or summer. Cool-season grass, on the other hand, does a bit better when ground temperatures are cooler. It's recommended to overseed cool-season grass at least 45 days before the first frost, making autumn the perfect time to tackle this project.

When it's time to overseed, you'll need to decide whether to stick with the same variety growing in your yard or add a new seed to the mix, as there are many different types of grass seeds available. There are pros and cons to both methods. Matching the seed to what's already in your yard offers uniformity; however, mixing grass may promote durability. For example, one variety may excel at heat tolerance, while another might provide the vibrant color you're after—when combined, you'll have a great-looking lawn that's less likely to thin out.

Before deciding on which method to go with, identify the type of grass you have – especially if you aren't sure if your grass is warm- or cool-season, as you generally don't want to mix these types. If you don't know your grass variety, a professional landscaper may be able to identify it for a fee. Alternatively, you can research the most common types of grass in your area, and then compare their descriptions against your lawn for an educated guess of what you're growing.

Kentucky bluegrass is one of the best grasses for overseeding. It's a dense grass that can spread fast, making it perfect for filling in a splotchy lawn. While it does best in full sun, it will also survive partial shade and holds up well to cooler winter temperatures. It has a rich dark green color and feels soft underfoot. However, do be aware that it may not be appropriate for all areas, as it's listed as an invasive weed in the Great Plains states and Wisconsin.

Tall fescue is another excellent option for overseeding cool-season lawns. Known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and droughts. It can tolerate heat and shade, and germinates quickly. It's also low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice if you rely on rainfall to keep your lawn watered. This grass is fairly resistant to diseases and insects, and has a medium to dark green color. While tall fescue does well in many areas of the country, you'll want to avoid planting it in Alaska, Missouri, or New Jersey, as these states have it listed as either an invasive or noxious weed.