[r schipul]

If been asked to renovate a lawn this spring. Do you have better success slice seeding or core aerating and overseeding in the spring?

[treedoc1]

Hands down for putting seed in contact with soil, slit seeding is the way to go. Core aerating and seeding after is a waste of seed and will not give you the results a customer is looking for.

[FungusMudGrub]

I agree; slit seeding is the most effective method. However, that doesn't mean that you still shouldn't core aerate, too. I generally aerate and topdress with compost in the spring, then slit seed in the fall. Granted, it may be tough to get them to wait for the fall seeding, but it does give more bang for the buck.

[Matt Kulp]

Slit seeding hands down. The only time we seed with aerating is with top dressing as FMG stated above.

[TrickyDick]

I'm with Fungus. If the soil is compacted slice seeding won't do much to fix that problem, it's kind of like aerating with a solid tine. I would aerate first and then slice seed. If compactions not an issue than slice seeding's definately the way to go.

[mow-n-man]

We use a machine called an AeroVator. Furst Products.
WHAT a machine!!!!
Got the 40" pull behind with its own Honda.
Great germination % too.

Used to use a slit seeder but after this machine you couldn't give me one.
Four years of use and have never been unhapppy. The drier it is the better it likes it!

[GLAN]

I think core aerating and seeding is preferred if the lawn for the most part is decent.

If the lawn is trash then slit seeding would be preferred.

Personaly.......I could care less if spring or fall. Paying job is a paying job. I'll get results either way.

[HardDaysKnight]

I agree with Glan. We core and seed and love the results.
If the lawn is trash we rip it out, prep with soil and
ammendments, core and seed. We do it spring and fall also
and get satisfied results.

[JohnIV]

Aerate two to three times at one visit and then slit seed. We have had success with just aerating two to three times and just spreading seed and fert.

[Greensmith]

I have a client with hardpacked clay and he refused my suggestion of a complete lawn renewal with his fungas destroyed lawn. It is also hard clay with almost no thatch. His neighbors lawn is amazing and done by one of the lawn chains.
What is my best bet? I don't usually do lawn renovations but he begged me. I suggested aerating for the moment but after reading the comments above I am nervous!

[Greensmith]

I am leaning towards slit seeding at the moment. I don't think the results this customer wants will be satisfied with core aerating.