Best Seed for Overseeding in Midwest?

LittleMiamiLawn · Aug 11, 2020

That time of year! New homeowner and looking to aerate and overseed an existing lawn that has not been very well taken care of by the previous homeowners.
Wanting to start fresh with some new seed thrown down this fall.

My buddy owns a landscape company and is letting me borrow his aerator this Sunday. Planning on watering, aerating, and dropping seed in the same swoop. Only have 2 questions.

What is the best seed to overseed an existing lawn in the Midwest? (SW Ohio)
and what is the best starter fert for said seed and when to apply after overseeding?

Been reading about the pros and cons of rye, KBG, and fescue but not sure what to use and how to treat it. New homeowner, help a brother out!

moedank · Aug 11, 2020

Look at g-man's "Cool Season Lawn Guide." Has answers to all of your questions. Also check out Ryan Knorr, Connor Ward and The Lawn Whisperer on YouTube. These are cool season guys with a lot of informative videos.

Personally, I like TTTF. My lot has a lot of clay along with no irrigation system. Fescue handles clay well and requires less water than other cool season grasses. If those factors were different, I'd maybe be a KBG guy.

I used Scott's Turf Builder Starter with Weed Preventer last fall when seed was put down. It has Mesotrione, which is a pre-emergent herbicide. This product worked well; grass grew well along with hardly any weeds. Not saying it's the best. There are other options.

This Sunday may be too soon to start. Make sure you are well prepared and have all of your supplies before starting a reno. This oftentimes requires preparing several weeks in advance, if you want a successful reno.

Best Seed for Overseeding in Midwest?

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