Best Time to Overseed a Lawn in West Sussex’s Climate

The golden windows

• Early autumn (Sept–early Oct) – Best overall. Warm soil, steady rain, fewer weeds, no heat stress.
• Mid-spring (April–May) – Second best. Good temps, but needs more watering and weed vigilance.

Prep for success

1. Mow short (but don’t scalp) to expose soil.
2. Scarify to remove thatch/moss and open the surface.
3. Overseed 20–35 g/m² with a rye/fescue blend suited to your garden.
4. Topdress 3–5 mm of lawn sand/loam for seed-to-soil contact.
5. Keep moist: light, frequent watering for 2–3 weeks, then taper.

Aftercare timeline

• Week 1–3: germination; keep evenly moist.
• Week 3–4: first light mow at 6–7 cm.
• Week 4–6: apply a gentle starter feed if needed.

Local notes: In coastal Chichester/Emsworth, sea breezes dry the surface quickly—mulch-topdressing helps moisture retention. In heavier Arundel clays, prioritise aeration before overseeding.