[familyguy]

Here is the disagreement-

(Overseeding existing turf.)

I am of the opinion that the ideal way to perform overseeding is to:
1. mow turf down to about 2 + 1/4" and remove debris
2. core-aerate at least 1x. (preferrably 2x)
3. rake the seed into the core holes for optimum soil 2 seed contact (we use a zero turn mounted rake from JRCO)
4.apply a starter fertilizer or topdress with an organic compost- preferably both(not an important ine item for this thread)

My business partner agrees with my steps 1 2 and 4, however, says that the seed is not intended to go into the core holes for the sake of germination. He is of the opinion that the best way of getting the seed to soil contact is to use a slice seeder and rely on that to punch the seed into the soil layer.

I will follow up with a post later that was an unpleasant surprise from overseeding but kindly weigh in on your opinions first. Thanks.

[dan deutekom]

Sorry but I have to agree with your partner.

[Mac]

from my experiences, when you aerate and just overseed, you will only end up with grass growing out of the core holes. Sometimes this is sufficient, other times it is not. Id say if you really wanted a quality, sure proof method, slice seeding would be my choice too.

[Stonehenge]

Same here. Seed growing from those core holes will struggle when that soil begins to collapse in on the hole. Slicer for me. Though take that with a grain of salt, as we do very little overseeding.

[HRLand]

We also slice.

[ScenicAcres]

we core aerate, then run the Lesco renovator over with seed. Breaks up the cores and overseeds. We have had good results

[familyguy]

thanks for the replies and don't apologize or feel bad for having a different opinion than me.

here is the thing, i have many years in the field over my business partner, he has always been smarter than me, (since we were kids), so i don't mind deferring to his research on different subjjects. he goes home and reads and researches stuff, i go home and change diapers and play with blocks. he outlearned me last year. (he had also started going to school for landscape design so i don't feel too bad calling myself the dummy of the 2 of us)

anyway, the reason i don't like to slice seed has more to do with the fact that we don't own a slice seeder than that it is somehow inferior. i am aware that slicing is the "preferred" strategy. I just don't feel that it is necessary (based on field experience) i think with bluegrass, the core hole established grass will send runners out and fill in between. anyway, that being said, we have renovated many lawns this year and have had decent results (spring ones so far) the fall renovations are underway and here is the nasty surprise.

(my bp and i often split jobs up, mine i do my way, his he does his way. not that black and white but you get the idea)

we did 2 with a rented slice seeder (his jobs) and on one of them, one of the reasons that we were needing to slice seed were some patches of fungus in the turf. we were both aware of the fungal issue and had treated it organically with screened compost (organisms to eat the fungal spores...anyway) the slice seeder, by nature, has a pretty significant impact on the grass plant as it's whole job is to punch into the soil layer, wether a grass plant is in the way or not.

well, we took the little fungal infected spots, and turned the lawn into a 35% fungally infected lawn.

i realize after the fact that "of course" that would happen. it never occured to me while we were doing the work. the second lawn we renovated happened to come right after that, so some of the weak areas are probably at the very least fighting off the fungus.

never saw that coming.

[natural12]

We used to do a fair amount of lawn renovation and from my experience the slit seeder gets the best results. Now if the lawn is in ok shape most companies around here will just aerate and overseed.
Rental companies around here don't seem to carry slit seeders anymore. I guess they weren't worth the trouble. They do carry a cheaper version that need to be manually pushed.

[landscaeproblemsolvr]

I agree. If the lawn is in good shape, thick and lush with minimal open bare areas, then aerating and over seeding is a good way to keep the turf dense and cause little disruption to the existing stand.

On the other hand if you have multiple open areas with thin, weak turf, slice seeding is the way to go to guarantee good soil to seed contact and good germination. You will cause more disruption of the existing turf with the slice seeder but when the turf is already in poor shape who will notice.

[b0cott01]

Very much depending on time of the year and condition of the yard. I have had best results with a core areation at least 1 week prior to seeding/re-seeding. Then I use a slit seeder with 2 passes in different directions, if the yard is terrible or new. 1 pass if the yard needs thickening.

I would also recommend what someone mentioned earlier, before seeding "CUT THE GRASS DOWN SHORT, BUT DON'T KILL IT," By cutting the crass down short it lessens the work the slit seeder will have to do. Plus the remaining thatch will help keep seed where it is placed.

I have seen lot of yards done by home owners, the number one reason grass dosn't come in nice and lush is usually the watering schedule. Landscapers and homeowners BUY TIMERS, This will help alot.

Good luck.