Turf Dethatching and Overseeding

Turf Dethatching and Overseeding

Fall is here, and this is the time to scalp the warm season turf and over-seed with a cool season turf blend. October is a key  transitional month in the turf lifecycle. It is the month when the warm season grasses begin to go dormant, which causes lawns to look dead and brown. Of course, the lawns are not dead, but in order to keep the lawns  looking lush and green, the warm season turf needs to be scalped and new cool season turf seed blend needs to be applied. Although the final results of this process look great, the process itself is somewhat lengthy (approximately 3 to 4 weeks) and not aesthetically pleasing.

The process is as follows:

■ The irrigation will be shut off in all turf areas to allow them to dry out.

■ All turf will be cut at the lowest motor setting possible (This will leave exposed dirt and is unattractive).

■ The lawns will then be over-seeded with a perennial rye blend.

■ In approximately one (1) month the seed will begin to germinate and there will be beautiful new grass.

■ During this one-month germination period, the water will be on several times a day in small increments each time.

■ As always, it will look bad for a little while, but once seeded and watered heavily the grass will come back quickly looking better than ever.