Slit seeder coverage ?

[RicVa]

I plan to overseed my yard this September by renting a slit seeder. I am choosing a slit seeder because I have a areas where I plan to spray roundup in an attempt to get rid of (or at least reduce) the bermuda that is invading my fescue.

My question is - will two perpendicular passes of the slit seeder provide enough coverage of an entirely dead area of turf? I don't want to have rows. Also, I have read to make one pass, then another pass diagonal to the first, at about a 45-degree angle. Which is recommended?

The slit seeder is not a machine I've used before. Anyone out there with slit seeding experience that can let me know if this sounds okay?

[lwcmattlifter]

The nature of the machine is not to fill in completely bare areas. It is supposed to help thicken existing turf. Have you considered sod?

[RicVa]

I would rather seed than sod. I need to overseed other areas in the yard as well, so it makes sense for me to seed.

I have read not to till, and that slit seeding will give better coverage than core aerating and overseeding. That said, is there a better alternative to getting this section of lawn renovated with seed?

[hole in one lco]

1 kill off the area you want to seed
2 run the over seeder over the area 2 times
3 mow it as short as possible
4 slit seed it in two directions
5 water water water

[RicVa]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like what I was planning except for step #2. So why is step #2 in there? Is it to tear up some of the dead grass and loosen the soil?

[6'7 330]

All hole in one said, and core aerate it. Also the two passes, go diagonal acoss the first pass useing 1/2 seed rate each pass.

[hole in one lco]

The hole purpose of slit seeding to make good seed to soil contact.. The more soil the seed can hit the better. I do run my thatcher over bare dirt to prevent wash out too. Iv never had to over seed a new install yet and iv laid 2,500.0pound of seed this year alone

[RicVa]

Thanks guys. I'm glad to hear that two passes will suffice and I don't need to manually rake the heck out of the dead area or anything.