? on Over Seeding

[Mowman]

When you overseed what do you use to spread the grass seed? Do you use a regular spreader or is there a special gadget that is used? Also do you add a starter fertlizer to it? Thanks for your advice.

Mowman

[odin]

Mowman

I USE A RYAN MATTAWAY OVERSEEDER
BUT YOU CAN USE A SPEADER
OVERSEEDERS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE BUT GET THE SEED RIGHT IN THE SOIL.USE GOOD STARTER FERTILIZER

HOPE THIS HELPS SOME

[65hoss]

Yes you use a regular spreader. I use Lesco starter fert. when I overseed.

[Scraper]

For accounts which I service on a weekly basis, I will wait a week or two after I aerate and overseed to apply starter fertilizer. I have found that nutritional value is lost from the fert due to all the watering to get germination. All one time jobs get the starter at the same time so as not to have an additional trip.

Oh yeah...and a regular spreader will do.

[TGCummings]

I know that the best way to overseed is with a slit-seeder from my home-based landscape course. However, the course doesn't mention any benefits of simply spreading seed over the grass. My question is:


1) Are there benefits to the lawn by overseeding with a spreader?

2) When is the best time to seed this method?

I have customers I can sell on overseeding right now, with a spreader, but don't have the available cash to invest in a slit-seeder at this time. If there is a benefit to the customer, I was thinking of adding the service just before applying the winterizer in late fall...

-TGC

[Runner]

Well, first, when you oversees, you definitely have to aerate first, (unless your using a slit seeder) potherwise, you are just wasting time and money which could be used better elsewhere. When you aerate, much of the seed finds it's way down into the holes. Some, perhaps, MAY find a little loose soil to have enough contact with. If you DON'T aerate, most of this seed is just going to run of in the wash (watering and rain), and essentialy not do anything.

[kutnkru]

If you are over-seeding, you will be applying the seed with a broadcast spreader.

If you are slice-seeding you will be using a mechanical method (like the Mattaway) to apply the seed by machine.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[gogetter]

I'd like to hear from others concerning what Runner said. If the customer is not willing to spring for aerating, then overseeding with a broadcast spreader is no worth it at all?

Agree, disagree??

[wallzwallz]

I agree w/ runner. seed has to make soil contact,if you just put seed down w/ no soil prep it's useless

[AztlanLC]

Well down here in ny, we do a lot of overseeding when the ground frozes and before the first snow storm, just spread it, and the seed will find it's way to the ground, next year you'll see a lot grass coming out and don't forget to put starter fertilizer at the beginning of spring.

[HBFOXJr]

Here in NJ we have plenty of Phosphorus in the soil. Potash is what we are low in. Starter ferts have more P than we need and not enough K.

I started some test plots a month ago and fertilized new seed with 5-10-35 and 28-3-10 w/50% nutralene. The higher N is making progress while the "starter fert" is lagging.

You have to feed the seedlings to make them vigorous adn N makes the carbhydrates that are needed.

I primarily deal with the potash issue as a dormant fert in Nov/Dec and fert choices during the year.

[alpine692003]

I know this topic is old, but I have a question..

Do you do these all in 1 day?

Step 1: aerate
Step 2: overseed
Step 3: apply starter fertlizer to lawn with overseed on it already?
Step 4: water.

[hole in one lco]

Originally posted by AztlanLC
Well down here in ny, we do a lot of overseeding when the ground frozes and before the first snow storm, just spread it, and the seed will find it's way to the ground, next year you'll see a lot grass coming out and don't forget to put starter fertilizer at the beginning of spring.

How much seed rot do you get with this method?

[hole in one lco]

Originally posted by alpine692003
I know this topic is old, but I have a question..

Do you do these all in 1 day?

Step 1: aerate
Step 2: overseed
Step 3: apply starter fertlizer to lawn with overseed on it already?
Step 4: water.

step 1-3 all in one day
step 4 is not necessary their is no resin to water the seed till it gets wet but ones its wet you need to keep it wet

[hole in one lco]

lesco renovator 90% seed to soil contact. Unless you are seeding a prep yard every thing els is pointless. imo

[alpine692003]

Thanks hole in one lco!

[GroundKprs]

Research long ago showed successful germination rate of seed just broadcast in overseeding would average 15%. Successful germination of a slit seed operation was 65%. Aeration before seeding would enhance both results. Never saw numbers on just aeration and broadcast overseeding. So a simple broadcast overseed is not very useful, absent some means of disturbing the soil surface to enhance seed/soil contact.

On any seeding project, I will not apply starter fertilizer until germination. This assures the maximum use of the fertilizer by the new seedlings. Yes, it means an extra stop at the site, but that is just included in the original pricing.

[SUPERIOR Lawn Design]

Ok then, how about overseeding after a good power raking? A power rake disturbs the soil pretty good, and on bare spots it's awesome... I find pretty good results doing it this way...

[ColePyck]

What would be a reasonable price to charge for aerating, overseeding and apply starter fert, for a residental property(suburbs) thanks

[muddstopper]

I like seeding after powerrakeing. Have had great success doing it this way. I prefer to use and areo-vator with a seedbox attached for over seeding and works real well for new seeding also. that way you areate and seed at the same time. The areo-vator will scatter the seed and actually cover it up with the loose soil. I dont know what the percentage of germination is this way but it has to be pretty high.

[precisioncut]

"What would be a reasonable price to charge for aerating, overseeding and apply starter fert, for a residental property(suburbs) thanks"

I charge $45 per K for that.

[EagleLandscape]

what about for just overseading?