## Introduction - Spring overseeding can be challenging, and most professionals recommend doing it in the fall, but for those who want to tackle it in the spring, there are key things to get right to avoid wasting time, money, and effort [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=0s). - Rushing to overseed after a few warm days can be a costly misstep, as soil temperature, not air temperature, is what matters for germinating grass seed, and the ground takes much longer to warm up in early spring [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=47s). - A few warm days can make it feel like spring is in full swing, but nighttime temperatures can drop low, pulling heat out of the soil, and cloud cover, rain, and shady areas can slow down soil warming, making the soil too cold for most grass seed to germinate [(00:01:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=66s). - To determine if the soil is warm enough for overseeding, using a regular meat thermometer to check the soil temperature is recommended, aiming for a consistent 55° or higher, and checking online soil temperature maps or watching overnight lows can also provide clues [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=126s). ## Pre-Emergent and Overseeding - Beginners often make the mistake of putting seed and pre-emergent down at the same time, but pre-emergent blocks all seeds, including grass, and using products that contain pre-emergent, such as Weeden feed, can also prevent new grass seed from growing [(00:02:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=161s). - It's essential to check the label of any lawn care products to see if they contain pre-emergent, and if they do, it's necessary to wait until the barrier breaks down before overseeding, as the pre-emergent can block the seed from germinating [(00:03:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=206s). - When attempting to overseed in the spring, one must choose between focusing on establishing new grass or preventing weeds, as doing both at the same time can be challenging, and using a seeding-friendly pre-emergent may not be entirely effective in blocking all major weeds [(00:03:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=230s). ## Watering New Grass - New grass cannot handle summer on its own and requires proper care, including consistent moisture, to establish strong roots and survive the heat, as young grass is weak and has shallow roots that can dry out quickly [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=271s). - To establish strong roots, new grass needs at least an inch to an inch and a half of water per week, which means watering every day for the first couple of weeks and then gradually reducing the frequency as the roots grow deeper [(00:05:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=325s). ## Mowing and Fertilizing - Mowing too soon or too short can be detrimental to young grass, as it needs time to establish before being cut, and should be kept at around 3 or 4 inches to provide shade for the soil and reduce moisture loss [(00:06:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=361s). - Fertilizer should be used carefully, as too much nitrogen in the summer can encourage fast top growth instead of root development, and a balanced slow-release fertilizer or one with celp can help with heat stress [(00:06:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=382s). ## Choosing the Right Grass Seed - Picking the wrong grass seed can lead to disappointment, as not all grass seed is created equal, and choosing a high-quality seed is crucial for achieving a thick, dark green lawn that can withstand stress [(00:06:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=411s). - Cheap grass seed varieties and bargain seed mixes may contain fillers, low-quality grass types, and even weed seeds, which can result in a lawn that does not look or perform as desired [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=433s). - When purchasing grass seed, it's essential to note that the weight of the bag may not entirely consist of actual grass seed, as it can take up half the weight of the bag, so a 10 lb bag of seed might only contain 5 lbs of actual grass seed [(00:07:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=462s). ## Night Shift Grass Seed - For the darkest and best-performing seed, Night Shift is recommended, as it is currently the darkest seed on the market and provides a deep, rich color that surpasses other grass seeds [(00:07:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=476s). - Night Shift is designed for homeowners who want a premium, Golf Course-quality lawn without the uncertainty of what's in the bag, and it establishes faster, looks better, and requires less overseeding in the future [(00:08:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=488s). - Using a high-quality seed blend like Night Shift results in fewer bags of seed being needed, less work, and a better-looking lawn year after year, making it a worthwhile investment for those serious about achieving a nice lawn [(00:08:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=502s). - To achieve a super dark lawn, it's advised not to settle for cheap, big-box store seed, but instead to use Night Shift, which can help homeowners get the desired results [(00:08:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c&t=517s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6OCEpjj3c?si=lrfLP_XmzOiKGuxC)