Overseeding

rcambray · Feb 18, 2001

In the spring I would like to overseed my lawn and would like
any suggestions as to the implement to use. I do not want to tear up the existing lawn and also have a sprinkler system, so have to be careful not to damage heads.
Thanks for any input
Bob C

alex_cocco · Feb 18, 2001

when i put in our lawn, i just took a spreader and spread seed over the lawn in the spring, at the beginning of april for two years, that and some fertilizer and the lawn came in very thick after a couple of years, dont worry if it looks patchy for the first year the overseeding fills in the bald spots quickly. i didnt mow the grass for about a month after planting. i give it a dose of broad leaf killer every two to three years now, thats about it.

alex

radman · Feb 18, 2001

I assume you have a compact tractor. How large of an area do you plan to overseed? If you have a few acres, I would rent an overseeder. They are probably too expensive to justify buying one. Some are 3pt mounted and some are pull-type. You will get a much better stand with an overseeder. If you have small areas to overseed, I would use a tiller to lightly till the surface, apply the seed, and then lightly rake in the seed. Mark the sprinkler heads with flags. The area around each sprinkler head will probably need to be done by hand.

caddison · Feb 18, 2001

Bob,

First of all welcome to the group /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Next question would be what type of soil you are dealing with. If you have good top soil you may just need to get a harrow and rough up the yard a little and then apply seed. Depending on the area you are dealing with you may want to rent what they call a verti-slicer or power rake. These will tear up the top soil, not to bad, as well as remove old grass that has died out leaving a nice slice in the yard that will accept seed and fertilizer. Hope this helps.

EddieW · Feb 18, 2001

I have fescue over about 2 acres and generally overseed by putting the seed in a fertilize spreader and pulling it behind a lawn tractor. I scalp the grass down to about 1.5 inches before putting the seed out and, in the fall, I aerate after I put the seeds out and leave the plugs on the lawn and start watering. The plugs dissolve down over the seeds and seems to make it germinate faster. Fescue will germinate without doing anything but watering and fertilizing. I can't speak to other types of grass.

Billc · Feb 19, 2001

When I seed/over seed our place I use a seed drill. I rent it. My place is a bit hilly. This keeps the fescue from washing away. Before I used a seed drill I would run a disc harrow over the yard first, then use a spreader. This also worked well. I put down chicken manure once, some times twice a year...depends on how often my neighbor cleans out this chicken houses. Great fertilizer. I have the lime truck out in the spring and fall. Finally I plug aerate 3 to 4 times per year. Really helps the fescues root system. Oh, I also spray 2-4-D a couple of times per year to get rid of the broad leaf weeds.

You may want to mark your sprinkler heads with red flags so you don't run over them.

Bill Cook