Seeding, Overseeding, Topdressing and Leveling My Lawn

It's that time of year for fall cool season lawns where renovation is in full swing. I have multiple projects going on right now with seeding a large area near the driveway, overseeding another area of the front lawn, and topdressing and leveling certain spots as well.
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[@ryanknorrlawncare]

ELITE RYEGRASS SEED - ryanknorrlawncare.com/product/ryan-knorr-lawn-care-elite-ryegrass/ Drag I Used On Large Field - amzn.to/3EIFAFK Ryan Knorr Lawn Care is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@NRV44]

I thought RYE Greass die in a year?

[@rbdev__783]

You should start selling sod with all that land you have to grow turf. Would be good content to watch and see how it’s done.

[@NthGbsn30]

I was thinking the same thing what’s the purpose of so much lawn if not to sell?!

[@Blake.Cooper]

Just wanted to take a minute to complement you and your team on created such professional channels on YT. This channel and the one where you do story videos are stellar. I love the content from you. Take time to pat yourself on the back that your creativity and passions have you living the dream, my friend!

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I appreciate it! It's just me myself and I making the videos so it's a lot of work but I thank you for noticing 🙂

[@Blake.Cooper]

For sure man. You are awesome! Keep up all the hard work!! @@ryanknorrlawncare

[@camt.8705]

@@ryanknorrlawncareidk about that. I saw Kelsey in the background rolling some seed and sifting some soil 🤣 she’s your COO.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

@@camt.8705 oh yeah she's working hard on many projects...just doesn't want anything to do with the camera work 🙂

[@garrettb72]

That eco-lawn top dresser is such a neat machine!

[@nickskochinsky1365]

I wish my local rental shop had a top dresser 🙄

[@UnknownUser_0000]

​@@nickskochinsky1365same

[@brianshelley88]

@@nickskochinsky1365 Seriously the closest one is an hour and a half away. My 32000 sqft ain’t getting done by hand.

[@markmasterson2459]

That is some serious dedication to hand water that slope. 😮. I have a 25 x 30 area I am hand watering and that's enough.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

It has not been the most fun experience I've ever had 🤣

[@tdotbones]

Your projects and maintenance on your property is always inspiring to watch, never mind the time you probably spend in your studio completing your post production work for our enjoyment and benefit when posted to your channel. It is a passion you and Kelsey have been Blessed with and share with us! Thank you both! And that Ecolawn Applicator is a game changer for sure doing top dressing! I finished my front lawn renovation a few weeks ago with premium TTTF seed and it is coming in nicely, but the Ecolawn would've been sooo nice to use!

[@golferdadof3605]

It’s great to have help. My family doesn’t take much of an interest, so I end up doing all of the work by myself. Looking good BTW !!

[@monkeyslawncareandgardenin473]

Ryan’s on Whole different level! Killing it!

[@marcaustin]

Just overseeded my lawn today. 4 bales of peat moss was needed. Im pretty jealous of your automated spreader.

[@majorpayne5289]

Sewing seed & having a nice lawn is SO dang expensive! Keep up the good work! I just put my new postage stamp size lawn in a month or so ago. Water water water! Lord please bless us all w/ some rain & your heavenly nitrogen 🙏 🇺🇸

[@Overpar73]

Everything is looking fantastic Ryan! Boy Kelsey has been really helping the project! Can you have her talk me wife into doing the same? I also wish I had some of the equipment you have acquired now and I'm looking forward to the putting green in the future. We have finally got my piers installed and just waiting on the wood package to be delivered! Take care and don't work too hard out there!

[@jeremyFNP]

No more landzie compost spreader for you! What an upgrade!!! Can’t wait to see how good your land looks once completed!

[@dozer9003]

Thank you Ryan for a very nice video...

[@jimmyjohn8008]

They guys' life reminds me of the movie field of dream.

[@jedward3]

Ryegrass heaven. If you do seed that open area, maybe you could dormant seed areas that didn’t take. Soon you’re going to upgrade to the ventrac reel attachment with all that turf!

[@JEK]

Nice Field Source shirt! I'll be monitoring weather radar in Iowa, hope you get some light steady showers.

[@grayfox9911]

Whew! That's a big area to work! It will look good! :)

[@WichhartAcres]

Great series Ryan! I have had to break my 3 acres off into smaller sections to not be completely overwhelmed with growing grass. I am trying some mesotrione to combat the foxtail and crabgrass that has overtaken the areas and am just trying to water the heck out of it. Pretty tough if you try to bite it all off in one go. Thanks for the vids and keep on this!

[@thetommantom]

I just reseeded the 24in edge of my house walking area right up next to the bricks and it's under roof so it doesn't get any water and stays dry so i wait till it rains and soak it already seeing the wash out pattern where the downhill grass germination is shorter cause the dirt washed heavier so then afyer a few days dry out it becomes dusty and hollow gently rake the dirt flat and re wash re wet and stick and water deep for deep roots

[@midwestdirtdesign]

That big field looks so smooth! That Ventrac, drag and operator did a great job. That rye will grow so fast in that Curlex, in 2 weeks you could probably move it over and do another 24ft. As long as Kelsey didn't get too staple happy. 😂 Then in another 2 weeks move it again 🤔

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

We're running out of daylight! 😄

[@midwestdirtdesign]

@@ryanknorrlawncare it's magical seed.... should be alright seeding even on snow. 😉

[@kevinverwey6351]

Can't wait to see you cutting all that grass. I assume you're going to put the 96 inch finishing mower on the front of the ventrac??

[@gregelya6731]

Daunting work.. Great video as always..

[@Walshslandscaping]

Awesome video

[@theCastleberry]

Got some major Sigor Ros vibes at the end there...I see you are no stranger to a little hard work as well. Looking good...but I still think you are having too much fun.

[@Rich_Lahman]

In some countries peat moss is being phased out, have you tried alternatives to peat moss on lawns? I would think that would be a good educational video to see what works. Those peat moss bogs are great carbon sinks and special groups are trying to preserve them before they are gone.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I don't use it much anymore other than very specific cases. A quality compost would work if it's readily available but it's harder to find around here sometimes.

[@adrienadrien5940]

Here in France we don't have peat moss in garden store but rather compost (that have some peat moss in it) it works pretty well and it tends to improve heavy clay soil. I use it, it works pretty well.

[@McMuffinat0r]

That’s gonna look nice!

[@tony102385]

Tip for watering. run a temp hose to the center and put splitter at end of the run. run hoses from split and use impact sprinklers and a hose bib digital timer. They also make digital timer with multiple zones as well.

[@mikeo8890]

Good luck.

[@jfarm_1311]

Time to make a short on how to actually open a seed bag. Most people just rip it. Good luck with the seeding!

[@antonkrysa1433]

I liked your use of the cultipacker which farmers have used for years when seeding hay fields. I think that soil to seed contact is not its only benefit. The cultipacker leaves grooves in which moisture will funnel into. Not surprisedly this is where grass will be seen growing first. Rolling the soil sort of negates the benefits of the grooves. Not all is lost as you put down blankets to hold in moisture longer. Farmers can't afford to do this when acres are involved (instead of a few thousand square feet).

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I didn't want to have "channels" of grass growing if possible so I rolled after to help negate that. Everything is growing in evenly so far so I'm happy with it.

[@jamrbarr]

I foresee long glorious green stripes

[@thetommantom]

The gutters drip in the corner and i put down 3-4in of soil mixed with seed so there like a clay hat on the graded grass and the downhill and uphill grass is growing but no germination am entire year or 2 after seeding now the deep seeds and surrounding blades are pushing this hat upward and i can even water up hill and water under this patch and near the end of the property it washes into a berm and i van water the grass up hill and water under neath or in front of the wash out berm and wash the wash out lol

[@thetommantom]

You just need some industrial water wetter I use pine sol 15oz per 3 gal as a 10x concentration to get some foam super seed to soil contact and wet it down and stick it in place wash it how you want it to prevent it from washing how you don't want it

[@dylan8285]

I wonder if they’d let u build a pond and dam up that creek. Is it a named water way or is it just a drainage ditch?

[@andreisaioc]

I wonder whats the purpose of having grass and a lawn on such a big field, which has corn fields around ?

[@travelasia2023]

When do you take off the blankets?

[@christopherhughes7970]

sure would be great to find one of those top dressing machines for rent in my area

[@carlosaracil7980]

Hello Ryan your lawn is looking great! Recently I thought I had Pythium in my lawn, but after a soil analysis conducted by my local extension office it turned out to be Gray leaf spot. Is it possible to send you the report of their findings? There are a few things I would like to ask you about that was on the report. Thanks for all your help.

[@stupiduser6646]

What are those wide blankets called? I need those. I can only find 4 foot wide ones

[@joshb-8810]

Would it be too late in the season to kill off our lawn and reseed it in two weeks? I’m near Madison, Wisconsin.

[@joelbella71]

We have been dry here in Cincinnati and there is no significant rain forecast any time soon. Long range forecast is for a cool dry fall. I’m skipping overseeding this year. Just going to fertilize and kill off weeds. Any thoughts?

[@ChrisKitzmann]

What do you do with the straw blanket with the nylon mesh in it? Seems like it would just suck up into the mower on first mow...

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I remove them before mowing. It's just there to aid in germination at the beginning and works great for that.

[@tvercel]

Looks amazing. As always this is a huge inspiration for everyone. This seed is very resilient and will eventually take. Enjoyed the new tools you have started to use to run the operation at scale. Thanks for sharing!

[@romanwhite2301]

Ryan . . . LOVE your channel. I actually ordered some seed from you a few weeks again and did a fall overseed. I did have a question. I did my first mow today and some of the patches of new grass are bent over or kind of "flattened" to the ground from me walking/mowing. Is there a good way to solve this so it doesn't die? Just want to make sure it's stays healthy and gets stronger. Again, thanks for the channel. I never thought I'd be into my lawn . . . and I'm really getting into it. Next year is going to be fun!

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

It will bounce back in the next day or so as long as you limit traffic on it

[@romanwhite2301]

@@ryanknorrlawncare Thanks for the info. I'll see how it's doing in the next day or so. It's in a more dappled area. I'm going to try and mow again later this week. Excited to see how this all plays out!! Thanks again!

[@romanwhite2301]

@@ryanknorrlawncare I think I may have waited to long to cut it and it got too long. Not sure what's going to happen. I may have messed up and screwed the pooch this round. We'll see. Thanks again!

[@ZacharyCheney-o3q]

@ryanknorrlawncare is it too late for a Zone 6a renovation? I am worried that the time required to nuke the current grass would put me behind schedule, not to mention getting supplies this late in the season. The lawn is fantastic except for the grade. The 100x100 ft square area has highest spots on opposing corners (so across the hypotenuse), so the middle needs raised up so there is a single plane allowing water to collect in the proper drainage area. I anticipate the middle needing around 6 inches of soil, which would smoother the current grass, hence the need to basically seed from anew. Also, if I am bringing in this much soil, would it make sense to just scrape the existing grass off to avoid decomposition of the pre-existing grass under the new dirt? I would hate to do all this work and then the buried grass decompose, turning the new lawn into an uneven lawn

[@ZacharyCheney-o3q]

@ryanknorrlawncare

[@thesugarlipslove]

get it down!

[@Craig-ib7gk]

Normally you'd expected unprecedented torrential flooding whenever Ryan drops seed. Something isn't right in the universe.

[@davidhintz1249]

Do you rent your EcoLawn top dresser? I am in central iowa and looking to rent one for top dressing this fall, any recommendations where to rent from?

[@cooperjack1987]

It’s to bad you don’t have a pond on your land to just use to water with a pump.

[@WeatherNut27]

Now theres an idea for him and for a video! Man made pond! Start digging Ryan

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

It would likely be dried up about now anyway. Most of the ponds in the area are low unless they're spring fed

[@UnknownUser_0000]

Maybe I'm over thinking it but wouldn't that water need to be regularly tested?

[@WeShallC]

I’m hand watering 7K SQ FT getting bit up my mosquitos. I can’t imagine watering your property in anything less than a bee suit. 😂

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

We don't really have many mosquitoes here. The flies on the other hand....

[@lawnpanda]

I hate it when my tools don't work.....drives me absolutely crazy

[@phillipramz8882]

Do you recommend the straw blankets over using peat moss as a top dressing?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

On bare ground I've had better luck with them. Peat is too light and washes away if it rains hard

[@simonh73]

Am real disappointed with the sieve. You need a motorised sieve/trommel!

[@1manmanythings144]

My ryegrass finally germinated a few days ago. Debating on ordering another bag and trying to get in one last overseading. Do you think its to late if i was able to get it down by next weekend.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

It's getting close but I'm still seeding a couple things this week

[@MrMadeinthe80s]

Time for a triplex after that all takes off.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Ventrac reels but I also need a lot more water if I'm going to keep it reel mowed

[@joec2442]

I’ve been watching you for a little while and see you at your house working on your lawn, now you have this commercial building with lots of land and equipment. Who are you and what’s your business?

[@camus83489]

are you growing this for hay? or just for fun / experiment?

[@WeatherNut27]

Totally agree with the others, your editing skills and footage are incredible. Insane amount of projects you got going on. Wow!

[@mypolitical]

I use a 300 gallon tote and a pump/generator set up like you have and it works rather well to water the remote corners of my property. Dragging 400ft of garden hose is not fun.

[@thetommantom]

You should create an elevated pond so you can empty it and fill it off you want to get rid of it

[@peterobara3040]

Hope you realize how lucky you are to have Kelsey actually helping you out there, nice to see.

[@johnp82]

I overseeded my lawn the other day and I ended up using 3 times the amount seed recommended on the bag. Will this cause problems? Anything I can do?

[@hystericallymad]

You should try sifting your soil using the landzie compost spreader. I put a tarp down, fill the landzie, and sift out all the rocks by rolling it back and forth. works great.

[@davidhintz1249]

That seems like a fantastic idea. Gotta try that.

[@lukerider756]

Clearly your area seems to be quite too large for this, but I’m seeing more people talking and making vids about pre-germinating seeds in buckets of water before mixing with a medium and spreading? Love to hear or see your thoughts.

[@luannvondracek439]

Ryan I don't know your middle name but it could be Determination 😊 Thanks for sharing your hard work 😂

[@KompressMogul]

Walking every day, what are your average steps a day 30000 to 45000 walking up and down the fileds?

[@gmurray3616]

To level the uneven spots I see you using some type of screen to sift the dirt. Is that anything special to purchase? The peatmoss can be placed on top of seed ? Does it disintegrate into the soil or will it have to be raked up and discarded?

[@JordanTeague91]

I’ve been following your channel for a while sir and I’ve gained so much knowledge. I’m a Tall Fescue guy but you’ve got me onto the PRG. I tested some out in my backyard to see if the hype is true and it definitely is. Germinated in 4 days and mowed in 14. I live in the transition zone so our Summers will be brutal for it, but I enjoy overseeding and watching baby grass grow so I’m willing to make that sacrifice for my yard with PRG. I’ll be ordering some from you soon. Thank you for the content 🙏🏾

[@McMuffinat0r]

SEED IT

[@Observator1111]

My system is being blown out on Saturday. It was a good season! Thanks for all the tips as usual

[@scottbaker1991]

I just used what I assume is the same spreader you have at the 7:12 mark. It shoots way more seed to the left. Am I missing something? Do you have a way around that?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I haven't had any issues with mine so far

[@StripeLife-cy9bc]

Let me know if you need any more of those 300 gal totes, i can get them free from work. Good for hooking up to your gutters to collect the rain.

[@MrJamis8891]

Where do you live? I’m in Indy and could use a couple!!

[@ryanc9742]

Is there a place to rent that eco lawn machine nearby ?, I live in VM close to ur old place

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I haven't checked in a while but the place that used to have one doesn't do rental stuff anymore so I can't say for sure.

[@FIcrafted]

Love your channel my man! Just took the plunge into creating a real lawn for my boys. 60 lbs of your rye blend down two days ago on a fresh reno. Nuked, aerated, leveled, covered with 13 yards of a sand/compost mix, rolled, sprayed, covered with peat, etc... I greatly underestimated the steps and work involved vs the two step grading and throwing down big box seed as I have done in years past. I actually used the exact same drag mat as well. Thanks for your passion as I've learned a ton from ya. Can't wait to see what legit seed will do!

[@billrider6425]

Another helpful video. Thank you. “It’s always something.” True that.

[@shyamvenky]

wow! just wow! The sheer amount of work for this project demands a bow - you sir, are a huge inspiration for anyone and everyone attempting anything of any size! :)

[@HyperScopeOW]

I guess the next project for spring of 24 would be to either build a pond or some type of groundwater retention system. Expensive but beneficial especially with well water.

[@stevenmcintosh3303]

Great video. I'm in the same locale as you. Wondering if you've ever thought about getting your compost out at the East landfill? Also, how do you like your EcoLawn spreader? I've considered one of those but just can't pull the trigger quite yet.

[@nickskochinsky1365]

I overseeded 3K SF last Saturday then Sunday my water main cracked and we lost water. Hand watering from the neighbors faucet to save the seed

[@theunkownmr.562]

I like that spreader and I don't like that spreader. It's great for open areas. I prefer a drop type of spreader when sand leveling or top dressing residential lawns so I can avoid flower beds and any area that has mulch.

[@woof3598]

the soil here is like concret, tomarrow Im going to use the small roto-tiller and mix in some black dirt, throw down some seed and start back up with the sprinkler

[@thetommantom]

Do the most important areas by the house drive and street then use the uniform ground as reference to grade the area in between

[@GCTWorks]

How do you not have stones all of the place? I have been pulling softball sized stones out of my lawn for 2 years now. It is never ending.

[@CP-rm7rz]

im no longer going complain about sprinkling 6.4k sq ft

[@morte2195]

Can we get a Fall update on Kelsey's garden plot? I'd like to see the progress.

[@MikeyJ_366]

There are some really cool tools here! Awesome video!

[@bbtank3000]

Sorry if I missed it, what’s the square footage of that new plot? Looks like two football fields!

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

About 60k

[@bbtank3000]

@@ryanknorrlawncare 😯

[@ryanhoelke]

Did I miss what that drag was made from? Works so well. Incredible.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Check out the link in the description for more on that type of drag. It's awesome

[@wilburyuen]

Nice

[@SilentKiller-fx1qj]

Where’s your buddy Connor been?

[@joelhenderson5404]

Seed it out you'll make it!

[@martinx00x]

What type of topsoil you use? % mix of sand for top dressing?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

It's native soil from our property so not sure

[@martinx00x]

@@ryanknorrlawncare Thanks. What type of top soil you recommend using in the Northeast for leveling? 50/50 sand mixture?

[@BMwBears2005]

Amazing!

[@bradb-rad3624]

I’m guessing you have well water… if you have a good flow rate like 50+ gallons per minute than I would suggest you buy one of those big sprinkler carts. I just seeded 55000 sq ft and run one of those with a 2” lay flat hose feeding it. It’s about 140 foot circle.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

We don't have 50gpm unfortunately

[@A-Kings-Cut]

🌱👍

[@sk8nsn031]

Wow! That Rye looks amazing Ryan! I love it! Can’t wait to see what the rest of the green to look like in the near future. I have a question for you? What do you do to keep worm castings from forming on your lawn. I get a lot of them after a rain fall or after water my lawn. Usually they will form overnight and makes my lawn uneven all the time. What can I use to keep the worms down under the grass/soil line? Thank you. Keep up the hard work Ryan. Looks great!

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

There's really nothing you can do. I dealt with it at my old house as well

[@sk8nsn031]

@@ryanknorrlawncare Thank you. I guess I’ll try some granule pesticide and water it in and see if that will help a little bit. When are you going to do a public tour of the property and do a live demonstration speech, workshop classes type? I think that will definitely booth your business a lot. I would definitely drive from outside of Chicago to Iowa to hear a live presentation/speak and give a walking tour. Thank you again for all the great videos. 🤙

[@jabusmckenzie4402]

Hey Ryan. I have a question. At what rate were you over-seeding that area that already has grass in it (that you added the peat moss to after)? Also, totally agree with the others, your channel is stellar and all the info you give is quite helpful to me!

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

For rye somewhere around 5 pounds per 1000 sq ft. Thanks for watching!

[@jabusmckenzie4402]

@@ryanknorrlawncare Thank you, Ryan!

[@BenNawrath]

At what point do you just install one of those big overhead watering ribs on wheels like a sod farm? 😁

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I would already have one if my well could produce more 😄

[@BenNawrath]

@@ryanknorrlawncare time for a second well haha

[@eddiegonzalez904]

Hey Ryan, what's the best way of getting rid of Bermuda grass on fescue lawn?

[@davidburky7729]

Boy I hope you find the answer to this question.

[@eddiegonzalez904]

@davidburky7729 by the way you saying it ,seems like is impossible.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Look into Pylex

[@davidburky7729]

@eddiegonzalez904 I’ve gone down a rabbit hole on the Bermuda in the Fescue lawn since Ryan mentioned Pylex. At a little over $350 for 4oz of Pylex is out of my range. Do my Own website lists Fusilade II as a less expensive alternative at $100 for 32oz. It will take more applications but looks like it will do the job just the same.

[@Jfitzroy1]

Wow, what is that like 50-60k sq ft? I struggle with my 15k sq ft and I don't have all the cool equipment. Just dethatching before overseeding takes me weeks.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

The whole field is about 60k

[@Jfitzroy1]

@@ryanknorrlawncare impressive work