How to Choose the Right Grass Seed for Michigan’s Fall Lawn Overseeding

Ah, Autumn in Michigan! The sun sets sooner, the temperatures are a little cooler, and sipping on a warm drink around a firepit becomes your family’s favorite pastime. With the shifting season also comes the need for fall lawn overseeding. Overseeding helps fill in the gaps left by summer stress, pests, and other issues and protects your lawn from Old Man Winter! So roll up your sleeves and get ready to give your lawn some TLC as we break down how to choose the right grass seed for fall lawn overseeding in Michigan.

What is Overseeding a Lawn?

You may wonder, “Why should I add seeds if my grass is already green?” Here’s the thing: snow, freezing temperatures, and diseases can wreak havoc on your yard. Plus, it’s not quite time to winterize your yard. Overseeding is an easy way to give your lawn the jolt it needs to make it through winter. Overseeding helps by:

• Thickening the grass
• Repairing thin or bare areas of the lawn
• Promotes new grass growth
• Helps improve and strengthen root systems

Why Overseed a Lawn In Fall In Michigan?

It’s typical to overseed in the spring after the ground thaws and roots reawaken. But overseeding in the fall gives your lawn ample time to establish itself before winter. The mild fall temperatures in Michigan, along with the still-warm soil and autumn rain schedule, create the ideal conditions for grass seeds to thrive.

Types of Grass For Overseeding Lawns

Different grass types thrive under various conditions. There are warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses grow best in temperatures that top out between 80-90°F. Warm-season grasses can struggle to take root and stay healthy in Michigan's cooler climate. 

On the other hand, cool-season grasses thrive in climates that see 55-75°F degree weather. These grasses can withstand the cooler temperatures and even grow during the transition from fall to winter, making them ideal for Michigan lawns.

 When it comes to overseeding in any season in Michigan, you have several options:

• Kentucky Bluegrass - A popular choice for cool climates. It's highly resilient and offers a beautiful, rich color.

• Perennial Ryegrass - This type of grass establishes quickly and offers excellent wear resistance, perfect for high-traffic lawns.

• Fine Fescue - Appreciated for its shade tolerance and fine texture, Fine Fescue is suitable for climates with limited sunlight and lawns that have a lot of shade.

• Tall Fescue - Wear and drought-resistant, Tall Fescue's deep root system makes this grass remarkably resilient.

The lawn care professionals at Visionary Fertilizations recommend Kentucky bluegrass for overseeding. This grass is particularly well-adapted to Michigan's climate. Its excellent cold tolerance and dense growth pattern result in a lawn that is not only beautiful but also highly disease and pest-resistant.

Top Five Brands of Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Products

There are many brands of Kentucky bluegrass seed products. Choosing the right one will depend on the seed blend if the seeds are coated, and how much shade your yard gets. Kentucky bluegrass spreads with the help of rhizomes, a rootstock system that stores nutrients that enable the grass to perennate. Some brands may come blended with other seeds to help the bluegrass establish itself before winter. Top brands used by our lawn experts include:

• Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix
• Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed
• Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Seed and Fertilizer Mix
• GreenView Fairway Formal Kentucky Bluegrass Blend
• Pendelton Turf Supply Jacklin Seed

How to Overseed Your Lawn in Fall

Ready to overseed? Whether you use an overseeding machine or decide to overseed your lawn yourself, the processes are similar and easy to follow. For a more detailed look at overseeding, check out our post here or follow these simple steps to overseed your lawn.

1. Mow your lawn short and give it a good rake to remove thatch and debris.
2. Hydrate your lawn, but don’t drench it.
3. Time to let the seeds fly! Use a broadcast spreader for even coverage.
4. For sandy soil, water every other day. For heavier soil, water every third day.
5. Once the grass is fully grown, you can mow as usual.