Compost Or Topsoil For Overseeding? [Which Is Best?]

adjudicate how to keep your lawn looking lush and healthy can sometimes be challenge . Is it time to over - sow your grass , but you are n’t sure whether to habituate compost or topsoil ? Which is better ? as luck would have it , we ’ve done extensive digging into this matter and have the answer here for you . allow ’s discourse this below .

When it ’s time to over - seed your lawn , make certain to use compost rather than topsoil . Although topsoil may seem like a good choice , it wo n’t provide your grass with nearly as many food as compost will .

Generally , compost does a overnice caper of breaking down into the grease , increasing its overall wellness : and devote your lawn the hazard to prosper .

As we begin , we will cover all things overseeding and hash out whether compost is truly better than topsoil . Whether your lawn looks like it require some TLC or you want to keep it as tidy as possible , we ’re here to help . With that said , countenance ’s dive into this topic !

Should I Use Compost For Overseeding?

Yes , it is mostly a good musical theme to use compost for overseeding a lawn . As we covered , the nutrients in compost will go against down right away into the grunge . That can help aid unexampled grass ontogenesis , at last giving your grass the best hazard to boom .

Compost provides anoptimalenvironment for seed to grow , unlike surface soil , hence why we recommend it . Even though you’re able to technically use topsoil while overseeding , you are n’t going to have as good of results .

what is more , topsoil does n’t break down over time . That think of your sens will have piles of filth unequally placed around it , which is n’t attractive .

Compost , however , will infract down into the ground and wo n’t leave any traces behind . So from an aesthetic and pragmatic standpoint , it ’s the best option for overseeding .

Your compost does n’t need to be extremely unattackable , signify you could use natural subject and maybe a few fight from around your yard .

What Is The Best Compost To Use For Overseeding?

In worldwide , you want to employ N - rich compost with a belittled particle size for overseeding . you’re able to use a " screen " compost or one that has a particle sizing of3/8 - inchor smaller .

Finding a smaller particle mix is crucial because it wo n’t muffle your weed . If you place ace punishing compost and organic matter over your lawn , you could be doing more hurt than good .

Considering that overseeding is the mental process of sprinkling Modern grass seeds over an existing lawn , you desire to see to it they have room to breathe and grow .

If not , you may not see your new seedlings flourish , and even your current grass may start to grow unevenly . So when you ’re shopping for compost , find the minor pick available .

For those want to use compost from their bank identification number , we urge breaking it into hunky-dory pieces to prevent suffocating .

This organic , premium - grade compost has hunky-dory particles , promote aeration and urine retention , is odorless , works well for green goddess , weighs roughly 35 pounds , and has not bad reviews from client .

How Does Overseeding Work?

For anyone still unsure about how to over - seed their lawn , this is pretty simple . Overseeding is when you sprinkle seeds over an existing turfwithouttearing up the solid ground beneath it .

Unlike other more aggressive method , overseeding is great for those not want to deal with plugs of soil everywhere or uneven patches of locoweed .

Doing this is an gentle way to take in bald-headed bandage , improve the thickness of your grass , and even enhance the color of your lawn . As we eff , Mary Jane can be temperamental , so regular sustentation is indispensable .

As we traverse , what you decide to employ for overseeding makes a big difference . For example , if you sprinkle your grass seedling and cover them with compost , there ’s a higher chance of success .

If you choose surface soil , you may be left with a poop - cover , uneven lawn . Again , that is n’t always the showcase , but it happens more than we would wish .

How Often Should You Overseed A Lawn?

You want to over - seed a lawn about once every year . Many experts advocate annual overseeding because it promotes sess wellness , colouring , and thickness .

As we bring up above , overseeding can ameliorate the overall look of your weed . For example , pitter-patter fresh seed may do the whoremonger if you have a lawn with barefaced spot or discoloration .

Like aerate , you do n’t want to do this too often , so every 12 calendar month is okay . Although it may take a bit to see the results of your raw seeds , it ’s important to give them enough time to grow .

According toMartha Stewart , using hardy grass varieties during overseeding can metamorphose your garden into a lush , drouth - liberal place . With current climate change taking effect , this is perfect for those in the West , where drought is always on the sensible horizon .

A fewdrought - toleranttypes of grass we advocate include :

On top of these options , you could also try switching to an all faux turf , but that is a different conversation .

With the ever - changing condition worldwide , it can be unmanageable to tell what exactly is the best selection for your landscape , so everyone is different .

Can You Overseed Grass Too Much?

Yes , it is possible to over - seed grass too much . As we mention , you do n’t necessitate to over - seeded player a lawn more than every 12 month . Although this can seem beneficial , sprinkling too many seedling over your existing place can create undesirable competition .

Considering that the more living thing in a given blank , thefeweroverall nutrients there are , so this can run to bald spots , discoloration , and even total grass death .

Additionally , you might notice the new seeds you plant wo n’t grow if you latterly did this . That mean you just wasted seed and may have put your current lawn at risk .

The amount of compost you spread out over gage can also cause issues . As we said , the compost / organic topic you decide to use during overseeding needs to be fine .

Even then , if you ’re overseeding and using compost multiple time per year , this can lead in a suffocated yard . So if it ’s been less than 12 months , we do n’t recommend overseeding .

What Happens If You Don’t Overseed A Lawn?

If you make up one’s mind not to over - seed your lawn , there wo n’t technically be any negative effects . In general , doing this is n’t required , so you do n’t have to sprinkle new seedling over your property if you do n’t want to .

With that said , overseeding can benefit a patchy lawn . on a regular basis adding new , drought - tolerant / hardy kind to survive Mary Jane can build a stronger , healthier turf .

On top of that , plant fresh ejaculate in your current lawn can help tone its ability to handle seasonal temperature variation .

For example , if you over - semen with wintertime - favorable grass , you may not see as much overall expiry in the upcoming cold season .

Adversely , many mood experts recommend against overseeding entirely . allot to the metropolis of Mesa , Arizona , you could write over8,000gallons of water   for every 1,000 square feet of Gunter Wilhelm Grass each season you do n’t over - seed .

That is a important number , and with the current water crisis , you may want to vamoose this year ’s overseeding . Furthermore , if you ’re in the desert , you may need to skip planting grass altogether .

Can You Use Household Items For Overseeding Compost?

If you have a compost bank identification number or pile started for your abode , you might be able to utilise it for overseeding . Typically , the compost you use to over - seed needs to be ultra - ok , so everyday scraps wo n’t influence .

However , if you crunch your compost into tiny particle , we do n’t see a trouble . Some experts recommend using a mulching mower to distribute your compost , so that ’s another idea to try .

you’re able to also stick to a pre - mixed and ground compost product , so if you do n’t want to do much work , that ’s what we recommend .

Regardless , verify your compost is deep in nitrogen and has tiny particles .

Is Maintaining Grass Difficult?

Although having grass can make your dimension look better , it comes with mint of sustainment . In general , grass is not super loose to superintend and can take a turn for the bad in the blink of an optic .

However , with routine sustainment , like proper tearing , cut down , fertilization , and overseeding , we ’re sure you may keep your lawn looking beautiful .

With that said , it can be costly to keep a lawn green and luxuriant . For example , your watering schedule maybe 1 - 2 times per hebdomad , which means a bigger monthly throwaway .

You may opt to instal an irrigation scheme , which can cost upwards of $ 2,000 , so this is n’t for the faint of tenderness . Again , if you hold up somewhere with temperate weather condition and even rainfall , grass is a bully idea .

If you live in the desert and do n’t require to lay waste to urine , consider a bastard sward or a different landscape idea .

To Wrap It Up

Whether you presently have dope or need to grow it , make out the bedrock of sustentation is essential . You wish to over - seed your lawn using finely grind compost from what we found .

Doing this will assure your grass come have room to emit and grow while providing mickle of nutrient . On the other hand , you could use surface soil for overseeding , although it is n’t always as in force and can make a mess .

Regardless , seek to over - seed with drought - tolerant green goddess varieties and hold back 12 months between each program .

Made it to the ending ? Check out these super helpful lawn posts below !

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