Rent an Aerator or Overseeder?

[DustinMan]

Hey! I'm new here, and I apologize if this has been asked a dozen times.

I'm trying to fix up my lawn, and I'd love to rent an aerator, and then rent an overseeder to get the new seed in contact with the dirt.

Unfortunately, I can really only afford to do one or the other. What do you guys recommend? I'll be planting seed either way.

I know I have compaction, but I understand it's better to seed in the fall. I will definitely aerate in the spring if I don't do that now.

So...to summarize, I can only rent one machine this fall, should I get the aerator or the overseeder? I'm definitely putting seed down either way, just not sure which machine is more important now.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

I assume you are from a northern state (northern turfgrass) and are overseeding into an existing lawn, right?

If so, rent the slice seeder. Make sure it is one with the seed box on the front, and that the unit has delta slicing blades not flail blades.

[DustinMan]

Thanks! You are correct. Maine to be exact. I appreciate the advice. I'll check my local big box store to see which variety they have. Should I still cut the grass short before I start? Or is that less important when you use a slice seeder?
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[Smallaxe]

Northerners should not have any compaction issues in the Spring, what with the freezing/thawing cycle of northern states... What makes you think you have compaction issues? What kind of soil are you dealing with?? Do you have living thatch running above the soil layer???(not brown grassy stuff, but Living Thatch)

The thing about the living thatch layer is that you may not get germination in that layer because there are already roots to contend with,,, even though it looks like bare dirt...

[DustinMan]

Originally Posted by Smallaxe

Northerners should not have any compaction issues in the Spring, what with the freezing/thawing cycle of northern states... What makes you think you have compaction issues? What kind of soil are you dealing with?? Do you have living thatch running above the soil layer???(not brown grassy stuff, but Living Thatch)

The thing about the living thatch layer is that you may not get germination in that layer because there are already roots to contend with,,, even though it looks like bare dirt...

Well, those are some good points...
I am just assuming it's compacted since it has never been aerated, and I live in an old house. I don't believe I have a real thatch problem from digging down a little and looking.
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[Smallaxe]

If you have dug down and looked, you may have noticed if it was compacted and what kind of soil you have... I find that most activities, people do for grass, are redundant...

The slit-seeder is the most foolproof for seeding...

[DustinMan]

I appreciate the advice. So here is my plan then.
Mow short
Broadcast Starter fertilizer
Slit seeder
Top with peat moss In the bare spots
Water

suggestion would any one suggest something different?
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[DustinMan]

I appreciate the advice. So here is my plan then.
Mow short
Broadcast Starter fertilizer
Slit seeder
Top with peat moss In the bare spots
Water

would any one suggest something different?
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[DustinMan]

Whoops sorry for the double post
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[RigglePLC]

Sounds like a plan Dustin. Start right away before it gets any colder in Maine. You were supposed to start 6 weeks before frost. Water every day for 30 days. use high quality seed. 90 percent germination and less than 1 percent weed seed is preferred. Should have a tested date within the last 6 months.