When To Mow After Overseeding? | Weeks or Days After?
Overseeding is the activity of scattering plant seeds on your lawn directly without aerating or turning the turf soil. Covering the bald spots and making your garden more vibrant and lush is a great practice. It enhances the color and appearance of your lawn. In simple words, it’s like reseeding the soil to restore the garden as it develops scanty patches and yellow plants with time.
Grass becomes thinner after growing to maximum length, and this reduces the density of the lawn. Therefore, overseeding is essential to improve garden conditions. You must choose the best quality seeds for overseeding your lawn occasionally. Being a straightforward method, people have dilemmas over when to mow after overseeding. Mowing time matters as it can affect the development of your new seeds.
In this article, we will find out how long to wait for mowing after overseeding. We will answer all related queries related to overseeding and mowing.
Can I Mow After Overseeding My Lawn?
Yes, you can now after overseeding your lawn. Mowing is essential to maintain grass health. But make sure you don’t mow immediately, as it can damage the seed and waste your efforts. Mowing is not only possible but necessary after overseeding to accelerate the growth of new seeds.
You only need to be concerned about the technique, timing, amount, and frequency of mowing these budding plants. You must follow some guidelines and take special care while mowing after overseeding. Read further to know all about how to properly mow after overseeding your lawn.
What will Happen if I Mow Grass Soon After Overseeding?
‘Patience is the key’ when it comes to mowing the grass after overseeding if not given proper time of at least 4 weeks, it can ruin the new grass seedings, and the heaviness of the mower wheels can smash and kill grass blades that are too young to be cut. Young grass that is too short to mow might be uprooted by the suction created by whirling mower propellers. Early grass plants can be harmed or killed when significant parts are cut off of them.
The lawn will be delicate following overseeding as the new grass emerges. Refuse to drive or step on the grass until mowing the lawn to maintain it. Just make sure not to mow too soon when the grass is just beginning to develop if you’ve only overseeded in a few spots. Pressure applied to these areas of the lawn may delay germination and prevent grass growth.
How To Know When Can I Mow After Overseeding?
Overseeding is your best choice if you are trying to treat any bald patches in the garden or revamp the green gradients of your grass. It is a very convenient method. But simplicity does not mean carelessness. After overseeding, mowing is your next step. The timing of mowing can make or break your game.
Early mowing can rip off some seeds and baby plants, whereas excess late can increase your total mowing time. Patience and focus towards your grass growth stages are the secrets to performing the first successful mowing of any newly sprouted grass. In general, you should think of mowing after 2 to 4 weeks of overseeding. Most grass species grow to an optimum mowing length which can be cut to preserve their state.
These are some practices you can try yourself to decide if you are ready to mow:
1. Check the Grass Height
The grass height is the first indicator that tells you whether it is the right time to mow or not. If you can just see little leaves, then wait a week more, but if you see low to medium-length grass, mow as soon as possible before the grass grows more. Too tall grass blades make your mowing more tedious and time taking. Grass height differs based on the type of grass.
There are two main broad grass categories-
Cool season grass and Warm season grass. Let’s see the ideal cutting height of each grass species under these categories:
Cold Season Grass
| Grass | Suggested Cutting height |
| Tall Rescue | 2-4 |
| Fine Rescue | 2-4 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 1-3 |
| Kentucky Blue | 1-4 |
Warm Season Grass
| Grass | Suggested Cutting height |
| Buffalo Grass | 2-4 |
| Kikuyu | 1-2 |
| St. Augustine | 1-3 |
| Zoysia | 1-3 |
| Centipede Grass | 1-3 |
| Bermuda | 3-4 |
| Bahia | 3-4 |
You can adjust your mower cutting height according to the type of grass you are growing in the garden. Make sure to use a sharp mower for precise cut results.
2. Do a Pull Test
This is also an effective method to test the mowing conditions of newly overseeded lawns. All you need to do is hold some grass in different areas of your garden and pull it up to check its resistance to your pulling motion. If the grass pulls out smoothly in one go, then it’s too soon to mow the grass.
Mow only when you pull the grass, and it holds almost firmly to the soil. This shows that the grass has developed strong roots. If you mow loose grass shoots, you might damage their roots permanently.
3. Check the Grass Growth if you have Followed a Strict Water Schedule
A strict water schedule allows profitable overseeding. An overseeded lawn requires 2 watering doses per day for rapid growth. A moist soil allows quick germination of the seeds and helps in fast blooming.
If you have committed to this watering schedule, there is a high chance your grass will have an ideal height for mowing after overseeding within 4 weeks. Keep checking the height of the grass after they sprout. You are more likely to mow by the end of 4 weeks, as all seeds will turn into blades.
4. Pick Appropriate Weather for Mowing Grass
Weather plays an important role in determining the right mowing time after overseeding. It indirectly affects the mowing period as favorable weather exists for the growth of different grass species. Warm-season grass experience maximum growth rate in late spring and early summer. Therefore the best time to mow them is the end of June or the beginning of July.
The best growing seasons for cool-season grass in early spring and autumn. You must avoid mowing during winter months as the sunlight is scanty, which slows down the growth of shoots. Pick a dry and sunny day for mowing. Keep the soil always moist with daily irrigation. This will make your seed germinate and grow roots to the ground.
How To Mow Grass After Overseeding?
Follow this step-by-step mowing guide for a flawless outcome:
Before Overseeding
- You need to do some pre-overseeding activity on your existing grass. Trim your tall grass blades using a trimmer or string to the shortest height before scattering new seeds. This makes room for your new seeds to gather nutrients, sunlight, and fertilizer by reducing competition from weeds and long shoots.
After Overseeding
- After you have cut your already-grown grass on the lawn and put new seeds in the soil. Wait for 2 to 4 weeks so that the grass sprouts and grows to a considerable height.
- Pick a lightweight mower. Your new grass is very delicate and needs to be kept stress free. Any heavy pressure can easily damage the grass. Therefore, do not do the mistake of crushing your fresh grass under the weight of a heavy mower.
- Next, make sure the blades possess a high sharpness level. Sharp blades give uniformity to the grass. On the other hand, blunt blades tear your grass.
- Ensure that the grass is not wet. Wet grass stick to each other as well as blades. This will cause a hindrance in mowing efficiently. Let the grass dry under natural light before mowing.
- Lastly, do not cut the grass too short. Adjust the cutting height adequately for your type of grass. Too much close mowing to the soil can disrupt root formation.
How Often Should I Mow After Overseeding?
After overseeding, it’s ideal to let fresh grass grow unmolested for at least 2 to 3 weeks. This will give the new, delicate roots time to establish themselves before being uprooted during the mowing process. Successful overseeding depends on allowing the young seedlings to relax.
The duration of time that you need to wait after overseeding before mowing can vary depending on the environment where you reside. You should wait approximately three weeks before mowing if you reside in a warm climate or if it’s summer. Even after overseeding, some gardeners advise waiting up to six weeks before mowing.
The earth is often drier in the warmer months, which can cause the grass to grow more slowly. After overseeding, it’s crucial to continuously water the grass, especially in the summer. This ensures the grass seeds are receiving enough nutrients to thrive and can shorten the time you must wait before mowing.
Should I Bag Grass Clippings After Overseeding?
Bagging the grass clippings depends on the condition of your lawn. If some areas of your lawn are prone to or infected with weeds, fungus, and disease, then it’s advised to bag all the leftovers and dump them. But, we feel that grass clippings can be quite beneficial. They decompose in the soil within days and also replenish the nutrients. They act as natural manure, which further aids the growth of more seeds. As long as your lawn is healthy, it’s not necessary to bag grass clippings after overseeding.
Conclusion
No more overwhelming thoughts about overseeding. Mowing after overseeding is a completely secure activity only if you abide by all precautions. Decide your mower model, choose a sun-kissed day, sharpen your blades, and get going. Determine your grass type and refer to our chart for recommended cutting height for each of them. Mowing can significantly contribute to the health and appearance of your lawn. Overseeding and mowing are two splendid jobs you must fulfill to enjoy dreamy garden scapes.
