Complete lawns, Partial Lawns, Winter Kill.
- Lawns that have fungus, bugs or disease.
- Lawns that do not have an automatic sprinkler system or with a sprinkler system that does not work properly.
- Lawns that are struggling due to dogs.
- Areas which have have water restrictions.
If you have a previously established lawn and have been contemplating new sod or roto tilling to bring it back to life, consider overseeding instead. For a fraction of the cost of sod, you can have a lawn with significantly more advantages than sod.
Over seeding is the process of planting grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf or the soil. An investment in over seeding pays off with a thicker, more beautiful lawn. lawns tend to thin out with time. Most sod growers advise to over seed every two years to keep fescue lawns thick and healthy, and to avoid the expense and disruption of re-sodding a yard.
For successful overseeding, it is critical that seeds be placed into contact with the soil, whether seeding into live or dead turf. Seeds scattered on top of live or dead turf with a broadcast spreader rarely produce a decent strand of turf. Seed to soil contact is what grows grass. This can be accomplished with a lawn “slit seeder”, and a lawn aerator. Both supremely useful for lawn renovation machines. Slit-seeders combine vertical mowing with seeding. As the machine goes across your lawn, it opens the soil and deposits seed directly into the soil opening. Seed is metered at a predetermined rate; half the desired seeding rate is dispersed in one direction and the other half on a second pass perpendicular to the first. These machines have an incredibly high success rate for seed taking root and growing. Seeds are protected and nearly guaranteed protection from sun, birds by being packed firmly into the soil where, once it grows, it will remain in place.
Overseeding service includes a 5 step process:
1) Power Raking. De thatch lawn using a power rake. The thatch will be raked, bagged and hauled away. This step is not necessary for all lawns and will be required if thatch is more then 1/2 inch thick. This can be checked by cutting a plug out from yard and measure the thickness of the thatch layer
2) Lawn Aeration. Go over entire yard twice in different directions with a core lawn aerator. This will loosen the soil, break up thatch and have an additional place for the seeds to germinate.
3) Go over entire yard twice with a slit-seeder machine (mechanical overseeder) Two passes in an X pattern distributing half the seed in each pass laying 99.9% weed free premium Kentucky blue grass at a rate of 4lbs per pass for 8lbs per 1,000 sq ft.
4) For new lawns go over entire area with a lawn roller to insure seed to soil contact.
5) Applying a starter fertilizer (high in phosphorus) over the entire lawn at a rate of 1.5 lbs per 1000 square feet.
PRICING:
Over seeding costs for the entire processes listed above is 14 cents per square foot for areas 2,000 square foot or less with a minimum charge of a $100 for areas less then 1,000 square feet. The cost for areas greater then 2,000 square feet is 12 cents per square foot.
Call for pricing for lawns greater then 5,000 square feet.
Example of how to calculate your cost:
If you would like your front and back yard over seeded and your front yard measures 40'x20' = 800 square foot and your back yard measures 5o'x 30' = 1500 Square feet. your total square feet would be 2,300 sf and your cost would be:
2,300 x .12 = $276
Estimates:
Due to the overwhelming requests for lawn overseeding estimates we do on offer free on site estimates.
If you are unsure how to calculate the cost and would prefer someone to come out to give a you a lawn overseeding estimate there is a trip charge of $45. This will also include a 30 minute lawn evaluation. If you have the overseeding service done then this $45 trip charge will be subtracted from the overseeding cost costing you nothing for the trip fee.
Your satisfaction is our goal. If you are not completely satisfied with the overseeding results to your lawn you will receive a complete refund. This is our guarantee to you!
What to do before overseeding:
Lawn will need to be Mowed and the clipping bagged to a height of 1.5 inches to reduce competition from established grasses. The clippings must be bagged as they will get in the way of the seed making contract with the soil. This can be done by the home owner or we will be happy to do this the day of overseeding for additional cost.
Your sprinkler system must be in good working order. Turn your sprinkler system on and check each zone for proper water coverage. If you would perfer us to do this we do offer a sprinkler turn-on/tune-up service. Click here for service details sprinkler start-up/tune-up.
What to do after overseeding:
1) adequate water must be available from seeding through germination. This is an absolute must. Water the newly-seeded area 2-3 times daily without fail setting your sprinkler clock to water 5-10 minutes per watering. You are not soaking the soil, you are just avoiding letting the seed, once moistened, keep from drying out. If you let the seed dry out for just one day, you can lose up to 40% germination; not a pretty picture. As newly germinated seedlings begin growth, decrease watering frequency and increase the duration to encourage rooting.
2) Mow frequently to limit the competition from the established turf. Mow at 1.5 to 2 inches until new seedlings have been cut at least two times. After that, raise the mowing height in 1/2 inch intervals over the next three weeks until a normal mowing height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches is reached.
3) In late November apply a winterizer fertilizer to create good root growth for next year. If you would like us to do this call us at 460-1728 or email lawnplugger@comcast.net
To schedule service call Gerry Barr 460-1728, fill out form below or email lawnplugger@comcast.net
