Slit Seeder versus Overseeder

[tx_in_nc]

What is the difference between a slit seeder and an overseeder?

[Patriot Services]

Slit seeder actually slices the through the OM and deposits seed in those slits. An overseeder is just a drop/broadcast spreader that flings seed on the surface.
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[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

And...never just fling seed over the top of an existing turf stand. That is what TG does, and germination rate is absurdly low.

[orangemower]

Originally Posted by DA Quality Lawn & YS

And...never just fling seed over the top of an existing turf stand. That is what TG does, and germination rate is absurdly low.

I totally agree. It's a waste of money UNLESS you aerate the soil first. I have done it both ways. Aerate and over seed, or power seed/slit seed.

[RigglePLC]

I have seeded over the top of old grass without a slit seeder. No soil preparation whatever. It did take fairly well, but best "take" was when I used triple the usual pounds of seed per thousand. This is difficult to determine how well the "take" has succeeded, because except in the first two weeks, you usually cannot tell the old grass from the new grass.

In my test I seeded 2 sq feet at triple and 2 sqft at the usual rate. October 11, 2011. Seed was Scotts "Classic".

[tx_in_nc]

thanks for replies, but what is OM and TG?

[Patriot Services]

OM is organic matter, the "living" part of soil. TG is TruGreen as in shady, big corporate pest control company.
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[Wicked Mower]

When you guys used a slit seeder, did you still use straw over the top of it to help keep moisture in? I am doing a pretty big area, coming up soon.

[RigglePLC]

Straw is normally used only when you are seeding into bare soil. Not suited to seeding into existing grass. Foe cool-season grass, seed in late summer or early fall for best results. When temp comes down to about 85. Highest soil temp is about late August...that is when germination will be the quickest...provided you have good soil moisture. It is a bit of a guess predicting when rains will happen in fall. Try to seed 8 weeks before frost.

Warm season grass--like Bermuda and zoysia should be seeded in late spring about 8 weeks after frost. Temps above 85; they love heat, but still need water.