Every lawn requires proper care and attention to stay beautiful and neat. You need to water it, get rid of weeds, and mow the lawn for its health. However, sometimes you have to mow right after overseeding the lawn, and that raises a lot of questions. People start to wonder –  how long after overseeding can I mow? Can I even do that? 

Yes, you can. However, it all comes down to choosing a proper time when to mow after overseeding. And that is what we wish to help you learn!

Introduction To Overseeding and Its Benefits 

Overseeding is the process of sowing the grass seeds over the turfgrass that has not yet been removed. It can either be done over a small area or the entire lawn itself. 

When you overseed, a machine punctures holes in the ground, and you plant the seeds in the same holes for better germination scope. This creates a safer environment for the seeds. 

Moreover, there are several benefits that come with mowing after this overseeding:

• It helps improve the density of the turf cover. 
• If you know when to mow after overseeding and do it properly, you decrease the chance of weed population. That is because the area remains densely covered. 
• Mowing after aeration and overseeding result in better absorption of rainwater. 
• It reduces soil erosion.

So as you can see, there are plenty of reasons why this activity is so important. Thus, let’s take a closer look at how and when to mow after overseeding, and do it properly.

The Timeline

Day 1: Overseed 

This step is as basic as it can get. Select the kind of grass you want and spread it across your lawn. Then, make sure you take more than the standard amount, which is 5 to 8 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft.

Plus, for the best results, it’s best to incorporate the process of aeration while you overseed. And after all that you must take some time and give your lawn proper care.

Day 1 to 3: Water

Water is of utmost importance to seeds and they require it the most in the first couple days. So before you jump to questions like when to mow after seeding, you first have to make sure that you keep your soil ¼ soaked for the first three days.

Day 7 to 10: Mow

And now for the important question – when to mow after overseeding? After you have watered your seeds well, you have to wait around 4 to 5 days before mowing. The mowing will cause a lot of unrest and thus it is wise to give some rest to the grass before you go in with your mower.

Additional Tip: Popular Grasses Optimal Height 

Grass type	Optimal Height
Bahia	2.5 to 4 inches
Bermuda	0.5 to 2 inches
Buffalo	1.5 to 4 inches
Centipede	1 to 2.5 inches
Kikuyu grass	1 to 1.5 inches
St. Augustine	1 to 3 inches
Zoysia	0.5 to 3 inches
Fine Fescue	1.5 to 4 inches
Kentucky Bluegrass	0.75 to 3.5 inches
Perennial Ryegrass	0.75 to 2.5 inches

What To Be Done After Mowing 

Your lawn will require special care after mowing, so you must adhere to certain guidelines. Just remember – your grass is still healing, so proper maintenance after mowing is very important:

• Mowing grass when wet will be less harmful. That way the grass will be tender and you won’t damage it much. 
• Don’t put any vehicle or heavy equipment over the turf while after mowing. 
• You must get rid of any clippings after you know when to cut grass after overseeding. 
• The clippings can be put right back in the turf as they decompose and add nutrients to the soil, like nitrogen, which is very important.
• In addition to it, you must provide good fertilizer to your grass to ensure growth. 
• Good lawn mowing pattern techniques and great after-mowing care will help make your turf all the more beautiful and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us quickly answer some of the most common questions regarding when to mow after overseeding lawn.

What Is the Best Time to Overseed?

Early fall or late summer is the most ideal time for this. That is because the temperature at this time favors germination. However, don’t forget that cool-season lawns have a slightly different procedure of seeding.

Should You Cut the Grass Short Before Overseeding?

Yes, cutting the grass short is mandatory before you go in with new seeds. Otherwise, the grown-up grass will compete with the seeds and will leave them malnourished.

Will Grass Seeds Grow if Just Strewn on the Ground?

The seeds will grow if strewn on the ground, but it’s not the best way to do it and can lead to some negative results. So it’s best to follow a proper technique.

Final Word

All and all when people ask when to mow after overseeding we recommend doing it after at least 4 days. However beforehand you need to make sure that you properly watered the seeds and let the grass rest for some time after the mowing. 

Thus, we sincerely hope that now you know the answers to questions like: how long should I wait to mow after overseeding or when can I mow after overseeding. Just keep these little tips in mind, and your green carpet will look regal and neat.

So, do you have any experience with mowing after overseeding? Perhaps you tried it before but something went wrong? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments so that we all could learn from each other about how to properly care for the lawn.