Yes, you can allow grass to grow to seed and then collect and plant the seed, but it's not always the best approach, especially for modern hybrid lawns. While it's theoretically possible for grass to naturally overseed, the resulting seedlings might not be "true-to-type" and may not resemble the parent plant, potentially leading to a patchy lawn.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Pros and Cons of Natural Overseeding:
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If the grass is a species that readily produces viable seeds, and the seeds are allowed to mature and fall to the ground, they can germinate and grow, effectively overseeding the lawn.
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- Hybrid Grasses: Many modern lawn grasses are hybrids, and they may not produce viable seed or the seeds might not germinate.
- "True-to-Type" Issues: Even if seeds do germinate, they may not be true-to-type, meaning the offspring won't resemble the parent plant and may revert to wild forms.
- Patchy Lawn: The resulting lawn could have a patchy appearance as the seedlings from different plants could be different.
- Reduced Lawn Health: Allowing grass to go to seed can also weaken the lawn, as it diverts energy from growth and maintenance.
- Hybrid Grasses: Many modern lawn grasses are hybrids, and they may not produce viable seed or the seeds might not germinate.
Alternatives:
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If you want to ensure a specific type of grass, it's best to purchase grass seed from a reputable supplier.
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Overseeding is a common practice for improving lawn density, and it involves spreading grass seed over the existing lawn.
In summary, while letting grass go to seed is a natural way to overseed, it's not always reliable or effective, especially for hybrid lawns. Purchasing and planting grass seed is a more predictable and efficient way to achieve a healthy, uniform lawn.
