As we move into the prime season for lawn renovation and overseeding, it’s a great time to set your clients up for success.
Guidance from UMASS: Key Considerations
The UMASS Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment has an excellent fact sheet on lawn renovation and overseeding. While we don’t endorse every recommendation—particularly the use of non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate (Roundup™ or Kleenup™)—the guide highlights many important considerations that can make or break a seeding project.
Common Factors That Lead to Poor Seed Germination
In particular, they outline twelve common factors that contribute to poor seed germination:
- Poor drainage
- Acidic soil pH
- Nutrient deficiencies (especially phosphorus and potassium)
- Soil compaction
- Inadequate or excessive soil firming
- Excessive tilling
- Rocks and debris on the soil surface
- Poor seed-to-soil contact or coverage
- Too little or too much mulch
- Steep slopes that encourage erosion
- Seeding at the wrong time
- Insufficient post-planting care
Timing and Budget: Setting Clients Up for Success
These are excellent reminders to keep in mind when planning an overseeding or renovation project. If your client’s budget doesn’t allow you to address the underlying conditions, it may be wiser to wait rather than risk disappointing results. By focusing on these fundamentals, you’ll help ensure healthy turf establishment and long-term success.
PJC Organic’s Role in Your Overseeding Success
At PJC Organic, we know that a strong renovation or overseeding project begins with the fundamentals, and continues with the right program to sustain results. Our proven fertilizers, soil amendments, and seed blends are designed to correct underlying issues like compaction, nutrient imbalances, and pH challenges — while supporting vigorous seed germination and healthy turf growth. By partnering with landscapers, schools, and municipalities, we make it seamless to put organic turf care into practice, helping you build resilient lawns without relying on synthetic chemicals.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out; we love to talk turf!
