How to Prepare Lawn Turf for Overseeding With Centipede

If you have an existing lawn and want to change it to centipede grass, don't fret. You do not have to remove the existing grass first before seeding. The grass may be seeded on top of the current lawn. However, for this overseeding method to be effective, some preparation is needed. With proper seeding, fertilizing and watering, your centipede grass will slowly choke out the existing grass. You can also overseed a centipede lawn that is thin to make it thicker. The best time to overseed a lawn with centipede seed is in the spring when soil temperatures are above 68 degrees Fahrenheit, through midsummer.

Mower
Rake
Garden hose
Aerator
Sand

Instructions

- 1
  Mow your existing lawn down to 1 to 1 1/4 inches and rake up all the debris.
- 2
  Water your lawn with 1 inch of water the day before you aerate your lawn.
- 3
  Aerate your existing lawn, ideally with a spike aerator that pokes shallow holes into the soil, since centipede seeds should not be planted too deeply. If you use a core aerator, set it so it does not plug the lawn more than 1/2 inch deep. Aerators can be pushed like a lawn mower, or attached to the back of a riding mower and pulled. Make several passes across the lawn.
- 4
  Apply sand loosely across the soil at a rate of 1/4 inch or less if your soil is not already sandy. Centipede grass grows best in sandy soils and this can help the seeds germinate and grow. Your lawn is now ready for overseeding.

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