Overseeding is the process of adding grass seed to an existing lawn without turning the soil. It is an easy way to fill in bare spots, improve the density of turf, establish improved grass varieties, and enhance the lawns color. Overseeding can help to make the grass thicker and give you a green lawn through winter. It is a great option for lawns that look old, worn out, need growing amounts of water and fertilizer to thrive, or are disease or insect-prone. The benefits of overseeding include making the lawn thicker, hardier, and more tolerant of drought, heat, diseases, pests, and other issues.

Here are the general steps to overseed a lawn:

1. Cut the grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings.
2. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris.
3. Apply seed at label-recommended overseeding rates, using the lawn spreader that suits the job. Use drop or broadcast spreaders for large lawns and handheld spreaders for small areas.
4. Water the lawn frequently to keep the soil moist until the new grass has grown 1-2 inches tall.
5. Wait to mow the lawn until the new grass reaches the same height as the established grass.

It is best to overseed when the soil is dry and when theres no heavy rain in the forecast for a few days. In the North, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. If you live in the South, the best time for overseeding is late spring through mid-summer, since warm-season grasses need warmer soil temperatures to germinate.