When to Reseed

Best timing in Australia: September–October (spring) for warm-season grasses (couch, kikuyu, buffalo) or March–April (early autumn) for cool-season grasses (fescue, ryegrass, bluegrass). Avoid midsummer (too hot, grass struggles to establish) and winter (too cold and wet in southern states).

Choosing the Right Seed

  • Couch: Hard-wearing, drought tolerant, best in warm climates. Spreads by runners to fill in bare patches. Slow to establish.
  • Kikuyu: Very vigorous, good for sunny areas, low maintenance. Can be invasive in garden beds.
  • Buffalo: Shade tolerant, soft underfoot, popular in Australian backyards. Best grown from turf (not seed) — most buffalo seed germination is poor.
  • Fescue/tall fescue: Cool-season, stays green in winter, shade tolerant. Good for Victorian and SA gardens with mild summers.
  • Ryegrass: Fast germinating, used for quick cover and overseeding warm-season lawns in winter to maintain green colour.

Step-by-Step Reseeding

  1. 1

    Mow the existing lawn short

    Mow to the lowest setting your mower allows without scalping. This reduces competition from existing grass and gives seed-to-soil contact.

  2. 2

    Scarify or rake vigorously

    Use a scarifier, lawn rake, or stiff metal rake to remove thatch (the layer of dead material sitting on the soil surface) and scratch the soil. Good seed-to-soil contact is critical for germination. This is the step most people skip — do not skip it.

  3. 3

    Spread seed at the recommended rate

    Apply seed at the rate on the packaging (typically 30–50g per m² for reseeding over existing lawn). Use a seed spreader for even distribution. Go over the area twice in perpendicular directions.

  4. 4

    Top-dress with lawn mix or fine soil

    Apply a 5–10mm layer of lawn top-dressing mix (sand-based lawn mix) or fine compost over the seeded area. Rake lightly to settle the seed into the soil. This protects seed from birds, retains moisture and improves germination.

  5. 5

    Water 2–3 times daily until established

    Seeds need consistent moisture to germinate — usually 10–21 days. Water 2–3 times per day lightly (morning, midday, afternoon) so the surface never dries out. Reduce to once daily once seedlings are 2–3cm tall. Do not mow for 6–8 weeks until well established.

Bare patches specificallyFor isolated bare patches rather than whole-lawn reseeding: scratch the bare soil, sprinkle seed, press in with your foot, cover with a small amount of soil and water daily. A handful of seed and a little patience fills most bare patches within 3–4 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ryegrass: 5–10 days. Fescue: 7–14 days. Couch: 10–21 days. Kikuyu: 10–21 days. Temperature significantly affects germination speed — seeds germinate faster in warm soil (above 18°C for most grasses). Consistent moisture is the most important factor. Patches that dry out between waterings take much longer or fail to germinate at all.
Yes — apply a starter fertiliser (high in phosphorus to encourage root development) at the same time as seeding. Fertilising after germination with a balanced lawn fertiliser supports rapid establishment. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers at seeding time — they promote leaf growth at the expense of root development, leading to weaker grass.