I just aerate and seed with a broadcast spreader, never had any issues. The plugs you pull will get broken up by rainfall and topdress your seed in the process. Couldn’t hurt to throw some granular organics down at the time of seeding.

 

Hey Everyone,

I recently started offering overseeding for my customers upon aerating and am looking for some advice as to the best way to overseed. Up until now, I have been using a broadcast spreader (no top dressing). I know that Billy Goat and Stinger make seeding machines to increase germination with overseeding, but they can carry a decent price tag. I'm curious how everyone else is overseeding.

If you are using a broadcast spreader, are you also putting down some kind of top dressing? If so, what is the best way to go about this?

If you are using a machine for overseeding, are you finding this is a profitable method due to the cost of the machine?

Thanks in advance!

Aearting and overseeing is a good way to keep an established yard thick and hearty. Using a broadcast spreader is fine.

If you are looking at an overseeder those are more for yards that have thin turf and very large bare areas. I have a couple billy goat overseeders and they work well. I think i paid around 2500 a piece for them.

I dont put any sort of topdressing down. We will throw a starter fert app down but thats about it.

The job will be profitable if you know your numbers and youre charging accordingly.


Seed + fert + labor

Seed and fert based off of materials cost which is based off of sq footage of property

Not sure if I missed anything...

 

And...you can apply Penn-mulch seed accelerator.
Use a spreader--easy--compared to topdressing.

Penn Mulch, 40-Pound Bag

PennMulch Seed Accelerator is a pelleted seed establishment mulch comprised of recycled newsprint, starter fertilizer and Moisture Cell Technology - a patented super-absorbent polymer. Adaptable to any soil type, PennMulch is ideal for establishing a thicker, healthier lawn in one convenient...

www.amleo.com

I would not apply starter fert--until--the germination has started and the new grass is 1 or 2 inches tall.

 

Slit seeder is the fastest and best way to overseed,better then just dropping seed. Also depends where your at.

 

Or...you can broadcast seed at twice the usual rate. Easy and quick.
Or...rent an overseeder.

Classen Overseeder Rental TS-20HD - The Home Depot

Rent a Overseeder Rental from one of our over 1,200 THD rental locations. Call your local store for same day pickup availability.

www.homedepot.com

 

I recently started offering overseeding for my customers upon aerating and am looking for some advice as to the best way to overseed. Up until now, I have been using a broadcast spreader (no top dressing). I know that Billy Goat and Stinger make seeding machines to increase germination with overseeding, but they can carry a decent price tag. I'm curious how everyone else is overseeding.

If you are using a broadcast spreader, are you also putting down some kind of top dressing? If so, what is the best way to go about this?

If you are using a machine for overseeding, are you finding this is a profitable method due to the cost of the machine?

Top dress (about 1/4") after aeration, broadcast seed, then backdrag. The topdressing will make a big difference.

When you say 'machine for overseeding', I'm thinking you are talking about using a slice seeder. Yes, a slice seeder absolutely works!

Aeration jobs most likely will be much easier to come by than overseeding jobs, therefore many use a standon aerator with a seedbed that broadcasts seeds as one aerates. Topdressing & back dragging after such a top will greatly increase its effectiveness.

 

Slice seeding will absolutely crush the results of aeration/overseed UNLESS one top dresses & backdrags as part of aeration/overseed.

Introducing a slice seeder OR power rake into the overseeding process replaces the need for top dressing BUT can really tear the hell out of existing turf.
Many say that the aeration cores will break down and provide the necessary top dressing. IMO, not even close...

 

Hey Everyone,

I recently started offering overseeding for my customers upon aerating and am looking for some advice as to the best way to overseed. Up until now, I have been using a broadcast spreader (no top dressing). I know that Billy Goat and Stinger make seeding machines to increase germination with overseeding, but they can carry a decent price tag. I'm curious how everyone else is overseeding.

If you are using a broadcast spreader, are you also putting down some kind of top dressing? If so, what is the best way to go about this?

If you are using a machine for overseeding, are you finding this is a profitable method due to the cost of the machine?

Thanks in advance!

Seed in our area wholesales about $225-$250 per 50lb (high quality) we use stingers with seeder box. Generally bringing in $3500 in gross using about $1000 of seed on avg per day. The rate is 3lbs per 1000sqf for existing turfWe do guarantee the service provided adequate watering proven by utility bill. Stingers are well worth the investment. They are hydraulic so you don’t have the maintenance of chains and sprockets like an exmark. They have a guide on the box to set for different types of seed/rate per 1000. Adjust from there. Buy one and it will pay itself of very quick.